NPD Trend Tracker: From cocoa fruit juice concentrate to plant-based fish

NPD-Trend-Tracker-From-cocoa-fruit-juice-concentrate-to-plant-based-fish.jpg
GettyImages/Dmitrii_Guzhanin (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

What new products are hitting shelves in Europe? This week, we look at Moving Mountains’ new plant-based fish fillet, an innovative cocoa fruit juice concentrate for chefs, and a rebrand from Pringles UK.

What new products are hitting shelves in Europe? This week, we look at Moving Mountains’ new plant-based fish fillet, an innovative cocoa fruit juice concentrate for chefs, and a rebrand from Pringles UK.

GettyImages/Dmitrii_Guzhanin

NPD Trend Tracker: From cocoa fruit juice concentrate to plant-based fish
NPD Trend Tracker: From cocoa fruit juice concentrate to plant-based fish (Dmitrii_Guzhanin/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

What new products are hitting shelves in Europe? This week, we look at Moving Mountains’ new plant-based fish fillet, an innovative cocoa fruit juice concentrate for chefs, and a rebrand from Pringles UK.

GettyImages/Dmitrii_Guzhanin

Plant-based fish fillet
Plant-based fish fillet

Having launched plant-based fish fingers, Moving Mountains is expanding its line of alt seafood offerings with a plant-based fish fillet.

Containing 10g of protein and 4.5g of fibre per 100g, Moving Mountains describes the new SKU as ‘succulent’ with a ‘flaky texture’, coated in panko breadcrumbs. It can be cooked in 10 minutes from frozen in a frying pan, or 20 minutes in the oven.

“The Moving Mountains Fish Fillet is going to revolutionise the nation’s favourite meal: fish and chips. 380 million portions of fish and chips are eaten every year, but this is impacting the oceans, where there is already a sustainability crisis. Our ground-breaking new product will allow Brits to enjoy this national treasure whilst protecting sea life across the globe,” said Moving Mountains founder Simeon Van der Molen.

“Our team have spent years perfecting the Fish Fillet, so it looks and tastes just like the real thing.”

The Moving Mountains Fish Fillet is available to buy on Ocado with an RRP of £3.99.

Image source: Moving Mountains

Cocoa fruit juice concentrate
Cocoa fruit juice concentrate (Laurent Ortega)

A new cocoa fruit juice concentrate has been developed by French chocolate maker Valrhona in cooperation with Swiss-Ghanaian start-up Koa.

Targeting chefs and gastronomy professionals, the new ingredient – coined Oabika – is the ‘very first’ cocoa fruit juice concentrate at 72° Brix (the scale used to measure the fraction of sucrose in a liquid) for foodservice.

According to the collaboration, Oabika has the highest concentration on the foodservice market, providing a ‘silky consistency’ and an amber-coloured appearance. In terms of flavour, the produce is ‘fruity and tangy’ with ‘candied, honey-like notes’.

Oabika can be used for a wide range of applications, from ganache to jellies, mousses, toppings, sauces, glazes, creams, ice creams, sorbet, and drinks.

Koa – which is leveraging its innovative technology to gently process the cocoa fruit in cooperation with smallholders – said Oabika demonstrates how indulgence and responsibility for people and planet go hand-in-hand.

“We encourage others to seek such partnerships to tackle some of the food system’s most pressing challenges together,” said Koa co-founder and managing director Anian Screiber.

Image source: Valrhona

Vegan advent calendar
Vegan advent calendar

Vegan sweets brand Candy Kittens has teamed up with social change and reforestation charity TreeSisters to launch a 2021 Christmas Calendar.

The 3D advent calendar is filled with Candy Kittens’ range of sweets, including their new gourmet gummies range. Collaborating with the environment in mind, according to the collaboration for every advent calendar sold, TreeSisters will plant a tree.

“We’ve always created exciting Advent Calendars but I’m certain that this is the best year yet!,” said Candy Kittens co-founder and MD Ed Williams. “I’m so proud of this year’s calendar, as not only does it contain a bigger range of our sweets (and more of them), but it truly represents our brand values and those of our customers.”

The Christmas Calendar is available online and in-store at Selfridges with an RRP of £12.

Image source: Candy Kittens

Vegan ‘light and creamy’ spread
Vegan ‘light and creamy’ spread

Alternative dairy cheese brand Violife is rolling out a new plant-based SKU: Viospread Light & Creamy.

Containing coconut oil and vitamin B12, the new spread is free from dairy, soy, gluten, lactose, nuts and preservatives. Violife describes it as ‘perfect for spreading straight from the tub’ onto bread, toast or crackers.

“Not only is it perfect for easy spreading and topping, as with all Violife products, Viospread Light & Creamy is 100% vegan and retains the same great taste and appeal to all audiences, as the rest of our dairy-free products!

“For those following a vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian lifestyle, our Viospread Light & Creamy is a great option for everyone interested in trying new plant-based alternatives.”

Viospread Light & Creamy is available in Asda and Sainsbury’s stores nationwide with an RRP of £2.

Image source: Violife

Colombian instant coffee
Colombian instant coffee

Ethical British coffee start-up Presto has launched a Colombian instant coffee to capitalise on the growing premiumisation of the UK coffee market.

With notes of dark chocolate and almond, the new coffee product is made from 100% Arabica Colombian beans, making for a ‘smooth drinking experience’.

“The continuing premiumisation of the UK coffee market is placing greater pressure on instant coffee brands to deliver on quality and taste. As consumers are constantly being exposed to better-tasting and higher quality, freshly ground and roasted coffee, when they go home, even if they have been a lifelong instant coffee drinker, they’re beginning to notice their old favourite lacks the balance and flavour they’ve had elsewhere,” said Presto founder James Hagerty.

“Instant coffee still represents 62% of the UK’s consumption and we think that our new instant brew is well-placed to capture some of that market.”

Available online via Presto or Amazon, a 100g tin has an RRP of £6.99, while a 500g tin has an RRP of £17.99.

Image source: Presto

Pringles rebrand
Pringles rebrand

For the first time in more than 20 years, snacks brand Pringles has undergone a makeover. The rebrand comes as Pringles celebrates its 30 years since it first entered the market.

Known as Mr. P (or Julius Pringles), the brand’s mascot will now sport a ‘modern emoji-style’ look, including bold new eyebrows and a red bow tie.

The pringles cans themselves have also been rebranded, with bright and bold packaging.

“After being Pringles’ loyal mascot for many years, Mr P has had a well-deserved makeover, in what is his boldest look yet,” said Pringles UK’s Florence Kayll. “Mr P’s hair may now be gone but he’s looking more youthful than ever with striking new eyebrows and is of course still sporting his famous, stylish moustache as his celebrates his 30th birthday in the UK.

“While Mr. P and the can design have both undergone a transformation, Brits can be confident that there are no changes to the amazing flavour and crunch found inside every Pringles can.”

Image source: Pringles UK