This week's round-up of on-trend innovation sees global culinary culture collide with ancient grains as Merchant Gourmet launches in Lidl. Meanwhile, a new Asian-inspired enzyme 'super drink' hopes to tap into the already soaring demand for gut-healthy products like kombucha.
Pic: GettyImages-CharlieAJA
This week's round-up of on-trend innovation sees global culinary culture collide with ancient grains as Merchant Gourmet launches in Lidl. Meanwhile, a new kombucha enzyme drink hopes to tap into the already soaring demand for gut-healthy products.
Pic: GettyImages-CharlieAJA
Purely Plantain is launching new formats alongside a new 'vibrant identity' and packaging that celebrates the snack’s Ecuadorian ties.
The company will also benefit from 'significant' investment, as Scott Livingston of (Westlab) aims to help Purely become a 'lead within the deliciously distinct' and 'sustainable snacking' sector.
The company is rolling out 30g bags as it looks to further support online sales as the UK exits lockdown.
Purely Plantain co-founder/CEO Stefania Pellegrino commented: "Even though lockdown has been a positive/energizing experience for us in terms of online sales uplift (+29%), we also recognised that an unforgiving pandemic provided the perfect ‘breathing space’ to re-evaluate how our brand was faring and best how we could further stimulate success.
"Besides ensuring that our production/sourcing processes capabilities had the capacity to match our longer-term ambitions, we were determined to overhaul our historically ‘shy & recessive’ packaging with a new energised and upbeat identity. Research groups historically suggested that our original packaging didn’t sufficiently trumpet our proud Ecuadorian roots, our active support of clean deck World Cuisine or our vocal stewardship of versatile plantain, the unsung yet more nutritious cousin of the banana (rich in beneficial fibre, potassium magnesium and A/B6 vitamins)."
A new sports nutrition bar, Home Run, has launched with the specific target to help workers 'fuel their post-work workouts' and 'navigate their commute'.
The new brand provides a plant-based energy source made from 'quality whole food ingredients' to deliver a nutrient-dense, sustained supply of energy. It has also established the Home Run Commuter Router, a buddy scheme for new runners or cyclists nervous about navigating their journey home while avoiding public transport.
Commuters looking to join the club will simply need to answer a few questions about their journey and level of ability and they will be matched with a Home Run buddy who will work out their best commute and run/ride with them.
The bar is being launched by sports creative agency Dark Horses, and backed by Manor Gyms and the Take FL1ght Podcast.
Steve Howell, Creative Partner at Dark Horses, said: “We understand that people may be apprehensive about taking public transport again, but also worried about running or cycling in the city for the first time. And that’s not a good feeling - especially when all you want to do is get home after a long day. Our Home Run Commuter Routers will take all of that stress away.”
Home Run will retail at £2.45 a bar or £39 for a box of 16 and is available on Amazon. A proportion of every bar sold will be donated to CALM.
Danone-owned water brand Evian has launched a new bottle with an engraved logo, as the brand looks at ways to reduce its use of virgin plastic.
The bottle, which has been almost two years in the making, is a first of its kind for the brand; created from 100% recycled plastic, without the need for any label.
The new design will be available as a 400ml bottle and features an ‘Evian pink’ bottle cap; both firsts within the Evian product range. It will be distributed across select hotels, restaurants and hospitality in France from early July, and in additional countries from September 2020.
The new bottle is a 'key milestone' towards becoming a ‘fully circular’ brand by 2025, Evian said.
The news follows on from the announcement earlier in the year that Evian has received global certification for becoming carbon neutral.
Shweta Harit, Evian global brand VP, said: “Today’s announcement positions Evian as a pioneer in sustainable design solutions, with the bottle made from 100% recycled materials* and label-free, acting as tangible proof of our commitment to becoming a fully circular brand by 2025. It’s now more important than ever for us to bring consumers our natural mineral water in the more sustainable way as we owe everything to nature.
“Breaking through the white noise with action is at the core of all that we do at Evian, which is why today’s launch is a key advance in innovation for us. The bottle’s premium design speaks to history’s most environmentally conscious generation. Stripped down to its truest form, the bottle is as pure as the water within it.”
Emmanuelle Giraudon, Engineer in Research and Innovation at Danone, Emmanuelle Giraudon, Engineer in Research and Innovation at Danone, added: “This new innovation is so exciting as it is not just any bottle; it is recyclable, made from 100% recycled plastic, and label-free all in one that has been specifically designed to minimize environmental impact.
“Thanks to the engraving, we can preserve the natural beauty of the bottle and be closer to the water’s purity. We wanted to keep the “Evian touch” when designing the bottle, and we created a new pink cap especially for this bottle. Our revolution makes old plastic the ultimate new innovation."
New drink brand Jin Jin has launched its cultured fruit and vegetable drink concentrate as it looks to compete with demand for kombucha in the UK.
"Packed full of probiotics and complex enzymes from more than 35 raw and natural ingredients, JIN JIN is a fermented drink containing living beneficial bacteria," the company said.
Using traditional methods of fermentation, Jin Jin is made from different kinds of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and cultures.
Fruit and vegetable-based enzyme drinks are already a popular health trend in Asia. By bringing this new format to Europe, Jin Jin is eyeing a slice of growing demand in the European kombucha market, which was worth nearly £180 million in 2019 and is expected to reach roughly more than £580 million by 2020.
Unlike fermented tea-based kombucha ready to drink products, JIN JIN is a cordial and it’s recommended to mix 1 part (20ml) of the concentrate with 10 parts water (still or sparkling). The drink can also be added to smoothies, or used as a cocktail mixer.
Jin Jin is low in sugar, gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan.
Sohn Supradya Aursudkij, Founder of Jin Jin commented: “We live in a fast-paced world, which sometimes makes us overlook our physical and emotional wellbeing. It has become my mission to share JIN JIN with everyone I can. I truly believe that good wellbeing creates positive energy and makes us feel at our best, and when we are at our best we can achieve anything. I want JIN JIN to be part of peoples’ journey towards better health and can’t wait for people to discover it.”
Freeze dried brand Lio Licious is offering consumers an 'instant taste of Italy' with its freeze-dried ingredients.
The long-shelf life ingredients have been freeze dried, with the water removed from the olives, grilled peppers and parmesan. The line can be stored in a cupboard for up to five years. When added to a pasta recipe, the water in the meal rehydrates the ingredients so they are instantly ready to eat, the company said.
Atiyya Tailor, brand manager at Lio Licious, said: “Unfortunately there are many families who can’t make it out to Europe for their summer holiday this year, but instant Italian ingredients from Lio Licious can allow them to enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean at home in just 10 minutes.
“Lio Licious ingredients can be kept at room temperature for up to five years, keeping the same great flavours and nutritional value as the day they were picked, which means your pasta can transport the family to their Italian holiday in a matter of minutes.”
UK healthy grains and pulses brand Merchant Gourmet is launching at Lidl stores throughout the country from August.
Having previously done spot deals on a range of limited-edition pouches exclusively for Lidl, the brand’s core range of 250g pouches will now be stocked on a permanent basis.
The pouches featured will be Merchant Gourmet’s Persian-style Quinoa & Lentils, Smoky Spanish-style Grains & Rice, Tomatoey French Puy lentils, and Glorious Grains with Red Rice and Quinoa.
With a focus on healthy grains and pulses, Merchant Gourmet takes inspiration from world-cuisine inspired flavours.
Nyree Chambers, Head of Brand at Merchant Gourmet said: “We are delighted to announce this new permanent listing with Lidl as we continue to drive Merchant Gourmet’s presence in supermarkets and increase visibility with health-conscious consumers."
Merchant Gourmet is growing 8.6% YOY and has a 35.6% share of the grains and pulses category.
