Our latest new product development round-up features Nestlé Confectionery’s Christmas 2023 line-up made up of classic holiday treats and brand-new ‘winter wonders’ and IBIS Rice, which directly supports farmers in Cambodia who are involved in preventing deforestation and protecting indigenous wildlife. Scroll through the photo gallery for more.
Image: Getty/Ekaterina Chizhevskaya
IBIS Rice, a Cambodian brand of premium organic rice, has just launched into the UK with listings in all Planet Organic and Better Food stores with a direct-to-consumer channel to follow later this month.
IBIS Rice directly supports farmers in Cambodia who are involved in preventing deforestation and protecting indigenous wildlife. These farmers sign up to a programme of organic agriculture, zero deforestation and zero poaching and are paid a 70% premium for their crops. IBIS Rice manages all the packing and processing in Cambodia to keep the added value in the rural communities before selling it directly to the UK.
The IBIS Rice farmers grow a local variety of long grain jasmine rice known as phka rumdoul, which has been voted the best rice in the world five times at the World Rice Forum. It is available as rice grain, either white, brown, or semi-milled; puffed into rice cakes and popped into a breakfast cereal.
Wildlife TV Presenter and Conservationist Chris Packham, who is a band ambassador, said: “I am so thrilled to be a part of this fantastic brand. It is rare to come across a business such as this, one that truly supports its environment and the people throughout the supply chain. We live in exciting times for conservation, but equally a time when the pressure on our natural environment is at breaking point. I strongly believe that more businesses need to follow the model of IBIS Rice, who have created a model that is actively protecting forests and allowing farmers and endangered wildlife to thrive.”
Nicholas Spencer, CEO at IBIS Rice Conservation Co. added: “Our UK launch has been some time in the planning and we are so pleased to finally see the products on shelves of Planet Organic and Better Food stores. We know that UK customers will love IBIS Rice, as a brand that has purpose and soul but also a product that tastes incredible.”
Image: IBIS Rice
UK premium mixer brand The London Essence Co has expanded its Crafted Sodas range with the launch of two new flavours, Aromatic Orange & Fig and Raspberry & Rose Crafted Sodas. The two new SKUs will be available to purchase in 500ml bottles from major retailers, RRP £2.00.
The launch supports London Essence’s ambition to build a premium mixer brand for a much broader range of drinks. According to the company, the Aromatic Orange & Fig Crafted Soda is a sparkling mixer with a vibrant citrus-forward profile that is freshly aromatic on the nose, combining sweet, zesty orange with the citrus intensity of blood orange and layered with aromatic bergamot for a subtle herbal undertone. The addition of a fig distillate delivers a smooth and honeyed finish that perfectly complements the fresh orange citrus for a refreshing sip that can be served as a solus drink or paired with a premium spirit.
The Raspberry & Rose Crafted Soda consists of vibrant raspberry infused with a hint of sharp blackberry, and is perfectly balanced with lavender and a signature rose distillate, adding an elegant top-note and a fragrant, floral finish. With a well-rounded taste profile, the Raspberry & Rose Crafted Soda can be served on its own for a non-alcoholic alternative, or paired with your favourite premium gin, for a sophisticated twist on the classic Bramble cocktail. As with the full range of London Essence’s products, both SKUs are sweetened naturally with fructose and are low in calories, with less than 20 calories per 100ml.
The new flavours will be rolled out across major retailers from October 2023 including: Tesco stores nationwide from 9th October 2023; Sainsbury’s stores nationwide from 23rd October 2023; Morrisons stores nationwide from 22nd October 2023.
UK Head of Marketing at The London Essence Co., Melanie Ginsberg, said: “We’re thrilled to be expanding our much-loved Crafted Soda range with these two exquisite new flavours. Ingrained in our ethos is an uncompromising commitment to quality flavours and these new crafted sodas from The London Essence Co. are no exception, allowing consumers to enjoy a premium drinks experience from the comfort of their own home.”
Image: The London Essence Co
UK gut health food brand Bio&Me is extending its gluten-free line of products with the launch of its first Gluten Free Porridge Pots. The pots are available in seasonal ‘Spiced Apple’ and ‘Nice & Nutty’ flavours, RSP £1.30/58g pot. Sainsbury’s will be stocking both variants across 383 of its stores, and the pots will be also available via independent retailers nationwide.
Jon Walsh, Bio&Me co-founder and CEO, said: “Market data shows that our current porridge pots are performing incredibly well, delivering over 50% incremental growth to the category. We are therefore really excited to be launching our first gluten free porridge pots into Sainsbury’s. Since we brought out our first gluten free granola last year, we have had numerous requests to add more products to our repertoire. We are delighted to be fulfilling that demand and offering shoppers two nutritious and convenient gluten free porridge options that don’t compromise on taste. The Sainsbury’s team has been behind Bio&Me from the get-go, and we’re so appreciative of their continued support.”
Dr Megan Rossi, Bio&Me co-founder, added: “Here at Bio&Me, we have a passion for making gut healthy food that’s authentic, tasty and accessible to all. I’m delighted to be extending our range to include these gluten free, high fibre pots of goodness with no added sugar. Everyone’s gut is different, so at Bio&Me it’s important to us to offer greater choice to meet the needs of everyone, including those who avoid gluten, whether that be because they have coeliac disease or gluten intolerance (more formally known as non-coeliac gluten sensitivity).”
Image: Bio&Me
Charlie Bigham’s has launched four new dishes and one side dish inspired by Thailand, Europe and British classics.
The new dishes include:
- Thai Panang Chicken Curry & Fragrant Rice
- Chicken Cacciatore & Roasted Potatoes
- Breton Chicken with Cheddar Mashed Potato
- Steak & Red Wine Casserole with Mashed Potato
- Aloo Gobi - a new addition to Charlie Bigham’s sides range
Buyers can pair the new dishes with the Charlie Bigham’s sides range, or to accompany their own dishes at home. With recent research from Charlie Bigham’s highlighting that 49% of people are cutting spending on eating out due to the rising costs of living, the new range uses high-quality ingredients whilst offering the same delicious taste that consumers might look for if dining out.
The range extension is further to the launch of Charlie Bigham’s first ever sides range earlier this year in May and includes a new side dish to pair with Charlie Bigham’s curries.
Company founder Charlie Bigham, said: “There’s nothing I enjoy more than creating new dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world on my previous travels.
Our new Chicken Cacciatore is full of rustic Italian charm, perfect with a crisp white, taking you to the sun-soaked vineyards of Italy. Or why not change up your curry on a Friday night with our Thai Panang Curry – a fragrant curry full of fresh citrus flavours. There’s something for everyone with these new dishes, whether you’re looking for flavours from further afield or favour European-inspired dishes.”
The new dishes bring Charlie Bigham’s portfolio to 60+ products which includes mains, sides and desserts, inspired by both traditional British meals and dishes from around the world.
Image: Charlie Bigham’s
UK cookie dough snack brand Doughlicious has introduced a Sweet and Salty Popcorn flavour to its Dough·Chi range. According to the brand, the new flavour consists of ‘handcrafted melt in your mouth vanilla cookie dough wrapped around sweet and salty popcorn flavoured ice cream and rolled in a crunchy popcorn crumb’. Sweet and Salty Popcorn Dough·Chi is made with high quality ingredients which are free from gluten and added refined sugars. With an individual ball coming in at 100 calories, this handheld, portion controlled, irresistible bit of goodness is made for sharing with friends and family or enjoying by yourself.
Doughlicious’ Sweet and Salty Popcorn Dough·Chi will be available from 9th October 2023 from Tesco stores nationwide and online, Ocado, Zapp and GoPuff, RRP £4.50 per box of six.
Kathryn Bricken Founder of Doughlicious said: “We’re so proud to present our new Sweet and Salty Popcorn flavour into our core Dough·Chi range. We have carefully handcrafted our cookie dough and ice cream recipe to strike the perfect balance between sweet and salty flavours and hope to redefine the popcorn snack experience.”
Image: Doughlicious
Nestlé Confectionery has announced its Christmas 2023 line-up made up of classic holiday treats and brand-new winter wonders.
Quality Street has introduced a new bar on the block for Christmas 2023. Two favourite flavours have been fused together to create something extraordinary. The new Quality Street Collisions Hazelnut & Caramel Chocolate Sharing Bar brings together indulgent caramel, a smooth hazelnut filling, and crunchy hazelnut pieces all encased in milk chocolate.
Also this Christmas period, Quality Street fans can find a new shaped The Purple One sweet, available exclusively in a limited number of The Purple One Bags. As part of a trial, a small number of Quality Street tubs, cartons and tins will also include the Orange Crunch sweet in a slightly different shape. Both sweets will take on the shape of the Caramel Swirl sweet but will maintain their unique and well-loved flavours.
Jemma Handley, Senior Brand Manager for Quality Street, said: “We are trialling a different shape for two of our sweets this Christmas season. We know how iconic Quality Street sweets are and we have made sure that it is the same great tasting Purple One and Orange Crunch that people know and love inside their iconic coloured wrappers.”
In the world of After Eight, a new treat is arriving in time for the festive season, the After Eight Winter Fondant bag is made up of iconic London landmark shaped mint fondant sweets. Returning once more is After Eight Gin & Tonic & Mint, featuring a gin and tonic-flavoured mint fondant enrobed in rich dark chocolate.
Debbie Bowen, Senior Brand Manager for After Eight, said: “The After Eight Winter Fondant bag is made up of individually wrapped chocolates that bring to life our quirky British Heritage by iconising some of our great land marks.”
The seasonal team has also been preparing to spread some holiday cheer with Nestlé's new Smarties Candy Cane Giant Tube and Aero Candy Cane Bubbles, featuring a unique mix of red and white candy cane-themed treats. Smarties Candy Cane Giant Tube contains a special mix of red and white milk chocolate Smarties while Aero Candy Cane Bubbles have a delicious, aerated vanilla flavour centre and half red and half white shell.
Rowntree’s Randoms Festives are also new for 2023. Wrapped in winter wonderland-themed packaging, the new sugar pouch contains festive and random jelly shapes in delicious fruity flavours.
White chocolate fans will be keen to try the new Milkybar Speculoos, available in Tesco, Booker and OneStop – it’s the creamy-tasting smooth white chocolate that fans know and love, dotted with crunchy caramelised biscuit pieces.
Image: Nestlé
All-day Danish bakery Ole & Steen, is launching a new #FreeTheFilling campaign this Autumn in the UK, which looks at highlighting its new Open Rye sandwiches.
The Open Rye collection launches with 3 varieties:
- Smoked Salmon Open Rye, £5.95 (Chia Rye topped with smoked salmon, lemon cream cheese, pickled cucumber and fennel, dill and pink peppercorns)
- Tarragon Chicken Open Rye, £5.45 (Chia Rye topped with a chicken tarragon salad, radish, smoky beetroot crisps, chervil and lettuce)
- Edamame Houmous and Carrot Open Rye, £4.95 (Chia Rye topped with edamame & pesto houmous, grilled marinated carrots, pickled red onion, mixed seeds and pea shoots)
Each of these “freed” fillings sit atop freshly baked slices of Ole & Steen’s signature chia rye and sunflower seed covered rye bread.
Alongside the new Open Rye sandwiches, Ole & Steen is also introducing a selection of seasonal hot drinks and menu items for autumn, including:
Drinks:
- Pumpkin Spiced Latte, from £4.45.
- Chai Latte, from £3.95.
- Matcha Latte, from £3.95.
Wider Menu Items:
- Bacon, Brie & Chilli Jam Rye Toastie: Chia Rye filled with bacon, brie and smoked chilli jam (£5.95.)
- Sausage Roll: Nutmeg, thyme and pepper pork sausage with onion marmalade, wrapped in pastry. Topped with salt & pepper, chia and flax seeds (£3.95.)
- Blackcurrant & Poppy Seed Loaf: A vanilla and poppy seed loaf with a blackcurrant sponge centre, covered in blackcurrant icing, freeze-dried blackcurrants and rose petals (£12.95)
- Croissant with Gouda - served warm (£3.45.)
- Croissant with Ham & Gouda - served warm (£4.45.)
- Ole & Steen’s new autumn menu is available now in all Ole & Steen bakeries, through click-and-collect on the Ole & Steen loyalty app and via Deliveroo from all it’s bakeries.
Image: Ole & Steen
