Our latest new product development round-up features lower carbon beef from UK supermarket Sainsbury’s, achieved through a combination of superior cattle breeding and animal management. Meanwhile, Dutch company Northern Wonder, which creates a sustainable coffee alternative without tropical ingredients, is launching a second version of its coffee made from non-tropical ingredients. Scroll through the photo gallery for more…
Image: Getty/uzenzen
Our latest new product development round-up features lower carbon beef from UK supermarket Sainsbury’s, achieved through a combination of superior cattle breeding and animal management. Meanwhile, Dutch company Northern Wonder, which creates a sustainable coffee alternative without tropical ingredients, is launching a second version of its coffee made from non-tropical ingredients. Scroll through the photo gallery for more…
Image: Getty/uzenzen
Krispy Kreme is launching its first ever range of personalised gift boxes available to order for nationwide delivery online. “This extra special gift is a great way to celebrate with a personal touch - making it the perfect way to say Happy Birthday, Thank you, Happy Anniversary or Congratulations,” the company said. “The newly designed boxes replace the iconic Krispy Kreme logo with the recipient's name - some might consider this the ultimate gift for a sweet-treat fan.”
Image: Krispy Kreme
Dutch food tech start-up Northern Wonder, which creates a sustainable coffee alternative without tropical ingredients - and thus without coffee beans - is launching a second version with an improved taste. A year after the initial introduction, Northern Wonder said it has further perfected the flavour of its 'Coffee-Free Coffee.' The products are now available at Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn.
David Klingen, co-founder of Northern Wonder, said: "Three years ago, we embarked on our flavour exploration journey. We launched the first version of our beanless coffee a year ago, and it already had a strong coffee-like taste. With ground coffee and capsules, which we are now selling at Albert Heijn, we are taking it a step further. Working together with researchers from Wageningen University and others, our team of product developers has managed to extract the so much appreciated coffee taste from non-tropical ingredients. In terms of taste development, aroma, and especially intensity, we have made great new strides."
Image: Northern Wonder
Italian food brand Crosta & Mollica has expanded its range of popular bakery products, with the launch of four new authentic Italian Biscotti. The range includes Crunchy Amaretti, Soft Amaretti, Chocolate & Hazelnut Baci and Almond Cantucci, available to purchase at Tesco from 11 September, RRP from £2.95.
Dean Lavender, Head of Marketing at Crosta & Mollica, said: “Despite being a nation of tea drinkers, the coffee culture is currently thriving in the UK and consumers are increasingly discerning about how they enjoy their caffè moment. Be it first thing in the morning, as an afternoon treat or even the classic Italian post-dinner espresso – authenticity is a key player that consumers are considering, and with the new Crosta & Mollica Cantucci, Baci and Amaretti biscuits, every English household will be able to experience the essence of Italy in the comfort of their home.”
Image: Crosta & Mollica
Dunnet Bay Distillers, which claims to be the most northerly distillery in mainland Britain, reveals a new look for its award-winning Holy Grass Vodka.
Rolling out across 97 Sainsburys Scotland stores from next week, the new design aims to give the craft Vodka its very own brand identity.
The label has been designed to reinforce the hand-crafted nature and provenance of the spirit, which is a celebration of local produce and botanicals, the company said. These include the hero botanical, Anthoxanthum nitens, a delicate, sweet-scented grass also known as Holy Grass, Bison Grass or Sweet Grass.
The new standout bottle also now includes a QR code linking to the brand story and recommended serve. Martin Murray, Co-Founder of Dunnet Bay Distillery, said: “We launched our Holy Grass Vodka in 2016 as a tribute to Robert Dick, a legendary botanist from Tullibody, who lived in Thurso in the 1800s and discovered Holy Grass. As with our Rock Rose Gin range, we wanted to create a spirit that captures and celebrates the heritage of Caithness and its local botanicals. We are really excited to launch this new look, which gives Holy Grass the attention it deserves as a standalone range. The unique bottle and spray colour are not only aimed at giving it greater stand out in store, but also allow for brand extensions in the future.”
Image: Dunnet Bay Distillery
Following a decade of development and five years of production, Sainsbury’s is launching a new Taste the Difference Aberdeen Angus range which it claimed could revolutionise how beef is produced in the UK. The range will offer a 25% lower carbon footprint compared to industry standard, making it the largest low carbon beef range ever produced in the UK, according to the supermarket.
Sainsbury’s has developed the range by bringing together its dairy and beef supply chains, reducing carbon through a combination of superior cattle breeding and animal management. Measures such as strictly monitored feed and living conditions mean that healthy calves are raised in the most efficient way possible, needing less time and energy to grow, in turn emitting fewer harmful gases.
With taste at the forefront of the development, the updated Taste the Difference range will initially feature 16 customer favourites including 12% and 5% fat mince, 30-day rib eye steak and a 30 day beef roasting joint. The beef is produced in Britain using Aberdeen Angus cattle, which allows the retailer to breed healthy, hardy animals that are naturally suited to a grass and forage diet.
Sainsbury’s said it has also made sure the new process will offer benefits for farmers with fixed, forward pricing providing greater security and stability. The retailer also equips farms with advanced free-of-charge technology which generates in-depth data to help them make better farm management decisions.
Customers will be able to find the new beef range in over 60 stores from Monday 18 September, with a nationwide expansion to come.
Gavin Hodgson, Director of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Horticulture at Sainsbury’s, said: “More customers than ever want high quality beef with a lower carbon footprint and that’s why we’ve invested many years of research and development into transforming how we produce it.
“Our updated lower carbon premium beef range not only tastes great but is also positive news for our farmers too, who will benefit from more security and stability, supporting the future growth of UK agriculture. We’re excited about the possibilities this move could hold for the future of farming in the UK.”
Image: Sainsbury’s
Swiss plant-based meat company Planted has partnered with “the world’s greenest football club” Forest Green Rovers. The one-year partnership will see Planted’s pulled meat range be featured on the menu in the gym bar, and hospitality areas, along with sampling at a matchday.
Marcus Reynolds, CEO at Forest Green Rovers said: “Here we are always looking to showcase great plant-based food offerings, and the planted pulled product works really well for us. Food partnerships are important to educate fans and followers that not all great food needs to be derived from animals.”
Forest Green Rovers went fully vegan back in 2015 and is the only football club to have the registered trademark.
Planted VP of Commercial, Europe, Rob Reames, said: “It’s such a natural fit for Planted to partner with the world’s greenest football club. At Planted we are all about creating a more sustainable food system, so at the heart of our partnership is bringing our tasty, plant-based proteins made simply from peas, oats and sunflowers to FGR football fans to enjoy.”
Image: Planted
Developed after research showing that only one in five meat-free ready meals contain meat alternative proteins, the Squeaky Bean Teriyaki Duck Protein Pot and the Squeaky Bean Beef Ragu Protein Pot are “ideal eaten on their own for a quick protein hit or can be mixed and matched with carbohydrates such as noodles, rice, pasta, and wraps for a complete meal option”.
Ready to eat after just one minute in the microwave, the company said the protein pots are easily incorporated into consumers’ busy lifestyles.
Becky Youseman, Marketing Controller at Squeaky Bean, which is part of The Compleat Food Group, said: “At Squeaky Bean, we want to make incorporating great tasting plant-based meals into your everyday diet as quick and effortless as possible. Seeing a gap in the market for ready meals containing meat alternative proteins, we saw the opportunity to innovate by releasing two new protein pots packed with exciting flavours.
“In entering the ready-meal category, we chose a popular beef ragu product to replicate the taste of a consumer favourite, as well as an exciting teriyaki duck, with Asian flavours being popular amongst UK shoppers.”
Squeaky Bean Teriyaki Duck Protein Pot (150g, RRP £3) and Beef Ragu Protein Pot (150g, RRP £3) will be available in Sainsbury’s nationwide from 27 September 2023.
In addition to its new ready-meal products, Squeaky Bean is also launching two new flavour extensions to its chargrilled and marinated chicken style pieces ranges: Squeaky Bean Chargrilled Jerk Style Mini Fillets and Squeaky Bean Sweet Chilli Chicken Style Pieces.
Both the Squeaky Bean Chargrilled Jerk Style Mini Fillets (120g RRP £3.25) and the Squeaky Bean Sweet Chilli Chicken Style Pieces (130g RRP £3.00) are available in Tesco from 18th September.
Image: Squeaky Bean
South-African based Lubanzi Wines has launched its wines in Waitrose in the UK. The range, which includes three 250ml cans; a Chenin Blanc, a Red Blend and Rosé Bubbles, is made from grapes grown in South Africa’s Swartland region. It’s there that the wines are made from dry-farmed and handpicked vineyards while using native yeasts for natural fermentation, are 100% vegan and with no added sugars.
Lubanzi co-founder Walker Brown said: “We are thrilled to have landed our first major retailer listing with Waitrose - the commitment it has to both quality and sustainability feels so well aligned with our brand that the cans just seem right at home there. We cannot wait for the Waitrose shopper to discover Lubanzi and to see more Brits enjoying our wines.”
Image: Lubanzi Wines
Functional mushroom and wellness brand DIRTEA has partnered with Nestlé-owned Mindful Chef, which will feature DIRTEA’s mushroom tea, coffee, and hot chocolate beverages as an ‘add on’ option for recipe boxes.
“Since launching in 2021, we’ve been on a mission to showcase the power of functional mushrooms to health-conscious consumers and demonstrate the positive, instantaneous, health and wellbeing benefits the DIRTEA range offers,” said Simon Salter, Co-Founder of DIRTEA. “As a company we’re passionate about giving people the tools they need to naturally enhance their wellbeing, and we’re thrilled to have partnered with Mindful Chef to allow their customers to be able to add DIRTEA to their recipe boxes and reap the many benefits functional mushrooms can offer, including enhanced focus, immunity, and performance.”
Giles Humphries, Mindful Chef Founder, said: “We share similar values as brands, we both care about sourcing the highest quality produce and are passionate about helping people lead healthier lifestyles.
“Having delivered over 30 million meals across the UK over the last 8 years we've learned that health and wellness is always evolving, so we're delighted to bring DIRTEA's pure mushroom powders to our Mindful Chef community.”
Image: DIRTEA
