In this week's roundup of the hottest food and beverage products hitting the shelves, we hear about Love Cocoa's latest innovation - cheesy chocolate - and learn how seafood brand Young's wants to bring a restaurant experience home as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.
Scroll through for the latest NPD updates.
In this week's roundup of the hottest food and beverage products hitting the shelves, we hear about Love Cocoa's latest innovation - cheesy chocolate - and learn how seafood brand Young's wants to bring a restaurant experience home as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.
Scroll through for the latest NPD updates.
Pic: GettyImages-Tom Werner
'Step aside after dinner mints,' UK chocolate brand Love Cocoa said as it unveiled its latest product innovation: Limited Edition Cheese Chocolate Truffles.
The premium ethical brand created by James Cadbury has created these unique sweet and savoury truffles for cheese and chocolate connoisseurs. The new SKU is available from lovecocoa.com, while stocks last, RSP £13.50/150g tube.
These cheesy chocolate balls feature a cream cheese ganache filling with a dash of alcohol, which is then encased in a milk chocolate truffle shell.
James Cadbury, Love Cocoa’s founder, explains more: “We wanted to create a more playful product in the run-up to Christmas, but one that was still luxurious in flavour. After years developing moreish chocolate here at Love Cocoa, we know that one of the greatest flavour pairings is an addictive mix of salty and sweet notes. Generally speaking, the more distinct notes we can pick up with every bite, the more enjoyable the experience is, which is the science behind this new creation. With these Cheese Chocolate Truffles we were keen to push flavour norms further than the usual ‘sprinkle of sea salt’, and have spent months carefully tweaking the nuances between the distinct cheese note and the rich chocolate shell. We know that Love Cocoa consumers are receptive to trying new products with interesting flavour twists and we think the new truffles will be a big hit.”
The truffles are packaged in 100% plastic free and fully recyclable packaging. For every product purchased, Love Cocoa will plant a tree as part of its ‘Plant A Tree’ commitment to fight against deforestation and climate change. In 2021, the brand planted a tree every minute.
Picture supplied by Love Cocoa
Young’s Seafood is building on its premium Gastro range with the launch of two new products – Scottish Mussels in Creamy Garlic and White Wine Sauce and Creamy Garlic Topped Cod Fillets.
Both products have been designed to appeal to shoppers looking for affordable, restaurant quality meals they can enjoy at home, according to Young’s.
Microwaveable in seven minutes, the Scottish Mussels will rollout in Iceland this month with an RRP of £4.00. The rope-grown mussels are served in a creamy garlic and white wine sauce. The SKU is the first shellfish product in the Gastro range.
Young’s Gastro Garlic Topped Cod Fillets, meanwhile, will launch in Tesco this month. Topped with a parmesan, mozzarella and chive breadcrumb crust, the cod fillets are served with a fragrant cream and garlic sauce. Each 350g pack contains two servings for an RRP of £4.00.
Young’s Gastro brand saw sales up 17% vs August 2019, growing to £72.5 million, the company revealed.
Paul Craft, Chief Commercial Officer for Young’s owner, Sofina Europe, said: “As consumers increasingly seek products that can recreate a dine out experience at home, we have looked to build on our position as the number one brand in premium fish by developing an expanded range that offers even more restaurant-style flavours at affordable prices.
“The introduction of our new Scottish Mussels and Garlic Topped Cod Fillets recipes to the Gastro range means we can offer consumers more choices to achieve that restaurant experience at home, at a time when many are having to cut back on the amount they dine out.”
Picture supplied by Young's Seafood.
Vegan chocolate company Ombar is launching an Oat M'lk Advent calendar and limited edition festive flavour in time for Christmas.
The Advent calendar is a first-of-its-kind for Ombar and will feature all of the challenger brand's flavours. The company claims it's range has 'less than half' the carbon emissions as mainstream milk chocolate and is made from British grown oars.
Available to order from the Ombar website, the calendar will be stocked in store at Planet Organic.
The brand is also rolling out a spiced orange Hazelnut truffle bar as a Christmas edition. This will be available at Ombar.com, Planet Organic and independent health stores nationwide. It is vegan friendly, dairy-free and organic. The bar does not contain palm oil or refined sugar and the Ombar range is fair trade.
For each purchase, 10p from the calendar and 3p from the par, will be donated to Fundacion Choco, an Ecuadorian NGO working to combat deforestation.
"As the original super chocolate pioneers, we never stop creating, and are really excited to be launching our very first Advent Calendar and new limited edition flavour. As well as our commitments to ethical production, we pride ourselves in making delicious tasting, rich and utterly indulgent chocolate and are delighted to be able to bring all of these things together in two new exciting festive formats," said founder Richard Turner.
Picture supplied by Ombar
Alt milk brand Minor Figures is launching Barista Chai Concentrate at £4.99 per litre.
The new organic SKU joins a range of plant-based milk alternatives. The carton makes 20 Chai Lattes when you mix one-part chai with four parts Oat M*lk, the company said.
The updated recipe is 'sweeter' and 'spicier' than Minor Figures' previous Chai offering, the company said. The packaging has also had a 'bold makeover'.
As with the rest of Minor Figures' product line-up, it is vegan, carbon neutral and has no added sugar.
"Our new Organic Chai Concentrate is an infusion of high-quality loose leaf teas mixed with the finest natural spices. It is slow-brewed to capture the purity and intensity of every ingredient," said Stuart Forsyth, Minor Figures co-founder and CEO.
Picture supplied by Minor Figures
Snack challenger brand The Curators has launched a range of non-HFSS High Protein Veggie Puffs.
Each pack delivers 10g of protein, building on The Curators positioning as a premium meat snacking brand. The company said it aims to bring functional high protein alternatives to flexitarian and plant-based consumers through the latest launch.
The puffs are made from peas using a novel protein isolation process that uses less sodium. The range is vegan, is a source of fibre, and contains 'significantly less' carbs and fat than a standard pack of crisps.
"This is without a doubt our most exciting launch yet and builds on our category leading range of Pork Puffs that are widely available across UK grocery and number one in our category in Amazon.
"In a world of carb-heavy savoury snacks that deliver little functional benefit we are proud to have developed a clever plant-based product for everyday crisp lovers with over five times the amount of protein as comparable 'better for you' snacks whilst meeting the requirements of the recent HFSS legislation," said Co-Founder Max Rees.
The snacks have an RRP of £1.20 for a 30g serving.
Picture supplied by The Curators.
Chicago Town is adding seven new products to its range of Chicago inspired pizzas.
The UK’s leading frozen pizza brand has revealed new additions to its Takeaway and Deep Dish ranges as well as two ranges in the UK - the ‘Crispy Chicago Thin’ range and Tiger Crust Cheesy Garlic Bread.
Chicago Town’s ‘Crispy Chicago Thin’ range is inspired by Tavern style, a local favourite in Chicago, and includes two varieties: loaded cheese and sausage ‘n’ peperoni.
Deep Dish ‘The Ultimate One’ range brings two new flavour choices, Peppered Cheesesteak and Picante Nduja, and is aimed at those ‘looking for even more’, the company said.
Chicago Town’s new ‘Weekender’ Stuffed Crust pizza range will feature two new indulgent flavours: Salt & Pepper Chicken and Philly Cheesesteak.
The pizza brand is also rolling out Garlic Bread on a Tiger Crust base.
Rachel Bradshaw, Marketing Manager at Chicago Town said: "We couldn't be happier to announce the launch of our seven new and exciting products. Whether you like it thin and crispy, stuffed crust or deep deep, there's a Chicago Town pizza for you.
“We listen to customers and know that the best way to compliment a great pizza is with a great side - especially when getting together with friends and family for that weekend treat. The introduction of our Tiger Crust Garlic Bread is extremely exciting for us and we can’t wait to see what everybody thinks.”
Picture supplied by Chicago Town.
