This week's launches take in Nestlé’s new dark chocolate bar made with cocoa fruit, and beverage brand James White's introduction of turmeric to its Thorncroft cordial range for its taste and well documented health attributes. Elsewhere, a popcorn brand is also looking to capitalise on consumer appetite for health improvement with its lentil crisp launch.
This week's launches take in Nestlé’s new dark chocolate bar made with cocoa fruit, and beverage brand James White's introduction of turmeric to its Thorncroft cordial range for its taste and well documented health attributes. Elsewhere, a popcorn brand is also looking to capitalise on consumer appetite for health improvement with its lentil crisp launch.
Image: Getty/kynny
The Curators has broken out of the snacking aisle and into frozen with a new range of mushroom-based products. The new range will comprise of two products: mushroom burgers and mushroom meatballs. The company said it hopes the launch will align to the fast-growing appetite for more natural plant-based meal solutions.
The products were launched into 310 stores in January, and will support Tesco’s own plans to deliver a 300% increase in sales of plant-based meat alternatives by 2025.
Co-Founder Max Rees said: “This is just the beginning of an incredibly exciting growth strategy in place for 2021 across both snacking and meal solution categories, and we’re absolutely delighted to be working with Tesco at this exciting stage in our journey. We can’t wait to bring some real foodie flair to the meat-free category and establish The Curators as a name synonymous with flavour in frozen foods in the same way we are smashing it in snacking.”
Image supplied by The Curators
UK brand Biotiful Dairy, which makes gut-friendly kefir drinks and snacks, has launched a vanilla variant of its kefir drink.
The drink, made by fermenting British milk with live kefir grains and then adding a natural vanilla flavour, is available in Morrisons (RRP: £2.25 /500ml) across 423 stores, with further roll out planned for later this year.
According to Biotiful, the cultured milk drink contains billions of gut friendly bacteria, is naturally high in protein and calcium and packed with vitamins and minerals.
Founder Natasha Bowes said: “It’s great to be adding this new ‘classic’ flavour to our growing liquid Kefir proposition as we know there is strong consumer demand for this flavour within the dairy category. Sales have continued to soar over the last year (+80% over the last 2 years) as we see demand for functional gut health products that help support immunity naturally become increasingly important.”
Image supplied by Biotiful
Nestlé has introduced Incoa -- a 70% dark chocolate bar made with cocoa fruit -- under its Les Recettes de L’Atelier brand.
It will appear on shelves in retail in France and the Netherlands, with other European markets to follow.
Incoa is made entirely from the cocoa fruit, not adding any refined sugar, the company said.
Louise Barrett, Head of the Nestlé Confectionery Product Technology Center, said: "We are proud to be able to develop and produce a chocolate at-scale using only the cocoa fruit. This breakthrough innovation allows us to deliver a great-tasting dark chocolate, while also integrating agricultural side-streams into our value chain, a key priority for our sustainability agenda."
Alexander von Maillot, Head of Confectionery at Nestlé, added: "Incoa is an authentic, pure cocoa experience. People are looking for something that little bit different and more sustainable from their chocolate. The fact that Incoa is made from the cocoa fruit and nothing else means it cuts waste and brings additional value to the cocoa sector."
The cocoa beans in Incoa are sourced in West Africa from Nestlé Cocoa Plan farms certified by Rainforest Alliance.
Image supplied by Nestlé
UK beverage brand James White has introduced turmeric to its Thorncroft cordial range. The company said the cordial is made with pressed turmeric juice not turmeric powder giving it a lively refreshing taste and an attractive golden colour.
Lawrence Mallinson, Managing Director at James White commented: “We have been pressing turmeric juice for our Zinger range for many years. Making a cordial from this juice seemed obvious – especially as it has proved so popular for its delicious taste as much as for its well documented health attributes. Surprisingly we think this is a world’s first turmeric cordial.”
The range includes the original Wild Elderflower, Pink Ginger, Wild Nettle, Rosehip, Detox (Dandelion and Burdock made with apple concentrate and no added sugar) and Kombucha flavours.
Image supplied by James White
UK’s breakfast cereal Weetabix has announced the launch of new Weetabix Melts. The soft centred crunchy bites come in two flavours - milk and white chocolate - and will be available in wholesale and grocery from late March.
Weetabix’s latest innovation was designed to meet the growing demand for indulgent yet nutritious cereals, with the tasty cereal category seeing a +12.1% growth over the last year.
Melts maintain strong nutritionals with no red traffic lights and are classified as non-HFSS. Melts are high in fibre, low in salt and fortified with vitamins and iron.
Gareth Turner, Head of Brand at Weetabix Food Company, said: “Taste is without a doubt the number one driver of purchase within cereals. Weetabix Melts allow us to appeal to shoppers looking for a more indulgent option at breakfast or for a snack, with the added reassurance of health and quality that consumers know and expect from the Weetabix brand.
“As Melts are classified as non-HFSS, we intend to support the launch with a significant through-the-line campaign, driving footfall and bringing much wanted excitement to the cereal aisle.
“We’re sure that shoppers will love Weetabix Melts - in fact it’s been our best-ever performing product concept within consumer research panels. A significant 8 out of 10 of those asked stated that they would definitely purchase, with taste and appeal scores higher than our competitors in the sector.”
Image supplied by Weetabix
Popcorn maker Proper Snacks has updated its latest creation, Proper Chips, made with lentils. The crisps come in five flavours Sour Cream & Chive, Barbecue, Sweet Sriracha Chilli, Sea Salt and Salt & Vinegar. Using nothing but the best natural ingredients, every pack comes in at under 100 kcals per serving and contains 30% less fat than leading crisps, the company said.
Image supplied by Proper Snacks
Start-up snack brand Real Handful has launched two new ranges, Craft Baked Nuts and Savoury Trail Mixes, into UK supermarkets including Ocado, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s.
The Craft Baked nuts come in three flavours: Sea Salted Peanuts (112g, 50g), Salt & Vinegar Peanuts (112g 50g) and Smoky BBQ Almonds (112g). The formats include 50g impulse packs and 112g resealable share pouches.
The Savoury Trail Mixes ranges combines premium baked nuts and crunchy salted corn in three flavours, Super Sweet & Salty Trail Mix (112g), Salt & Vinegar Verve Trail Mix (112g) and Smokin’ BBQ Trail Mix (112g).
Joe Taylor, founder of Real Handful said: “From our roots in Fruit & Nut ‘Trail Mix’ snacking we recognise the incredible benefits that are inherent in snacking on nuts, veggies and pulses and are excited to be challenging some of the savoury snacking norms by creating and packaging these new ranges differently. Consumers are looking for every opportunity to make better choices and so by baking our nuts rather than frying or roasting, by using Hi-Oleic peanuts that are significantly higher in heart healthy monounsaturated fats and by rolling out widely recyclable packaging we’re giving them the choice that they deserve whilst also delivering incredible flavour. We’re really grateful to have such fantastic early support from our retail partners and have big plans to fully support these new ranges in 2021 and beyond.”
Image supplied by Real Handful
UK flavoured water brand Volvic Touch of Fruit has launched its first ever added benefit innovation: Touch of Fruit Pineapple & Orange Vitality with added vitamin B6. The company said the launch unlocks a real consumer need for healthy options when choosing a soft drink.
Volvic Touch of Fruit Pineapple and Orange Vitality with added vitamin B6 is low in sugar, made with natural flavours and no artificial sweeteners. It is suitable for vegans and vegetarians and comes in a 100% recyclable bottle.
Marie Chaigneau, Brand Manager at Danone Waters UK & Ireland, said: “This year, we're excited to deliver for consumers looking for natural flavours with an extra boost of vitamin. According to Mintel, 36% of people would like more information on how to improve their energy levels and the new Volvic Touch of is a great option for them, as its added vitamin B6 helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue. With its delicious blend of pineapple and orange flavours, this will no doubt be a popular addition to the Touch of Fruit range alongside our other iconic flavours."
Image supplied by Volvic Touch of Fruit
