Skyr has been shaking up the dairy category across Europe and now German baker Hanina wants the Icelandic yogurt to drive excitement in the bakery category with the launch of a skyr cheesecake. We saw a swathe of seasonal launches as the European food sector gears up for the key Christmas trading season. Meanwhile, Wessanen’s leading organic brand Bjorg introduced a line of biscuits that are both organic and gluten-free. Here is our round-up of some of the most interesting product launches from across Europe.
Skyr has been shaking up the dairy category across Europe and now German baker Hanina wants the Icelandic yogurt to drive excitement in the bakery category with the launch of a skyr cheesecake. We saw a swathe of seasonal launches as the European food sector gears up for the key Christmas trading season. Meanwhile, Wessanen’s leading organic brand Bjorg introduced a line of biscuits that are both organic and gluten-free. Here is our round-up of some of the most interesting product launches from across Europe.
Hanina is expanding its range of baked goods sold under the Star Cake brand with the launch of three additional cheesecake varieties.
The group is rolling out classic eggshell, creamy New York and skyr redcurrant single-serve cheesecakes. "For cheesecake we do not compromise. But we are always open for trendy and unusual cheesecake variants," the company said.
The new varieties will be available throughout Germany. The cakes will go on sale with a recommended retail price of €1.39 for a 200 gram serving.
Wessanen is expanding its leading French organic brand, Bjorg, with the addition of new gluten-free options to the range.
The range extension includes three 'sweet novelties': choco coco shortbread, buckwheat flour biscuits and cranberry & raspberry shortbread.
The choco-coco shortbread combines chocolate and coconut. It will be available in France with an RRP of €3.70. The buckwheat flour biscuits are individually wrapped biscuits with chocolate and hazelnut filling. They will be available at €3.70 per pack.
The cranberry-raspberry shortbreads offer a "crisp texture and a fruity and sweet taste" thanks to the pieces of red fruits. They will retail for €3.60 per pack.
In the UK, Nestlé is introducing a range of five different advent calendars to the market this year under some of its most famous brands. The company said this was its "biggest ever" advent innovation drive.
The traditional countdown to Christmas is being offered by Smarties, Milkybar, Milkybar Wowsomes, After Eight and Quality Street brands, each with a different design and familiar sweets.
Jon Smith, Senior Brand Manager for Christmas confectionery said: “Everybody’s got a favourite sweet and we’ve made sure that there’s a great range of advent calendars available this year under some of our biggest brands."
“Advent calendars are a key part of the season and we think we’ve got a perfect gift for anybody looking to get into the Christmas spirit from 1 December.”
Ingredient specialist J O Sims has launched Crunchy Cranberries by Ocean Spray in the UK.
The crunchy ingredient format has been created using a new drying process to provide food manufacturers with new application and innovation opportunities, based on the crunchy texture.
“Texture in general and crunchiness in particular are trending characteristics across many food sectors and markets,” commented J O Sims’ Innovation Manager, Emma Raper. “This new fruit ingredient from Ocean Spray combines the aroma and bright red colour of cranberries with a lasting crunchy texture, especially in snack, cereal and confectionery applications.”
Crunchy Cranberries are slowly baked using an Ocean Spray proprietary drying process.
French chocolate maker Michel Cluizel is already preparing for Valentine’s Day with the launch of a “romantic and gourmet” chocolate box.
The heart shaped confections include an assortment of confections, such as new red fruit praline as well as traditional favourites like chocolate ganache. The box is sprinkled with coloured rose petals and embellished with domed hearts.
It will be available at a recommended retail price of €16.40 for 120 g.
Continuing its innovation drive in the UK, Nestlé is introducing two limited edition gingerbread flavours under its Nescafé and Matchmakers brands.
Nescafé Gold Gingerbread Latte is an instant spiced latte with a gingerbread flavour made with high quality coffee and British milk.
Taka Ota, Nescafé Senior Brand Manager said: “Our Gingerbread Latte first debuted as a limited edition back in 2013, but this year its back for another limited run after popular demand."
Gingerbread Matchmakers by Quality Street are chocolate sticks containing a blend of milk and dark chocolate with a gingerbread flavour. They are free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.
“Nestlé likes to move with seasonal trends and recipe innovations so it was only right we brought our latest limited edition to UK consumers in time for the festive season," Rebecca Holt, Quality Street Brand Manager said. "Gingerbread Matchmakers by Quality Street demonstrate our commitment to produce exciting, new variations of much loved classic treat.”
Both products are produced in the UK, Nestlé stressed.
