Gourmet-panned centers can include such items as dried fruits, espresso beans, fondant, fragile nuts, and seeds.

How can the industry adapt to changing perspectives? By upping its game and hopping on board the health bandwagon. Adding nuts and fruits to candy is a clear and conscious way of saying the confectionery industry also wants to become healthier.

Mrs. Fields Confections, a subsidiary of Famous Brands Int’l, is acquiring almost all assets of Maxfield Candy Co., including its top brands, Maxfield Candy and Nutty Guys.

“This year’s objective forecast during a third-consecutive drought year is a testament to the state-of-the-art farming practices,” says Bill Harp, almond grower and ABC chairman.

This year it appears that pistachios have their time in the sun to shine as a trendy inclusion amongst a broad range of artisanal chocolatiers.

"Consumers are very well informed these days and they view confectionery products containing nus as a healthy way to indulge their sweet tooth," says Lucas Schmidt, industrial sales manager at HGO/Westnut.

Grabbing a handful of almonds between meals could actually be great for your health.

Strawberries, for instance, are 80 to 90 percent of the confection, which means less chocolate and no sugar added.

Having your nuts and eating them too doesn’t seem to be an issue with candy consumers; in fact, suppliers says business is growing.

Dark chocolate and almonds combine to create a delicious truffle.