In this week’s NPD Trend Tracker, we’re preparing for dry January with non-alcoholic products from Lucky Saint and a collaboration between MOMO Kombucha and Orbit beers, as well as whiskey flavours from Synergy Flavours. Alongside this, we have breathable cheese packaging from Amcor and Fromagerie Milleret, crinkle fries from Strong Roots, and overnight oats from Linwoods. Lastly, we have news on Biomel’s planned expansion after its recent investment.
Image Source: Monty Rakusen/Getty Images
In this week’s NPD Trend Tracker, we’re preparing for dry January with non-alcoholic products from Lucky Saint and a collaboration between MOMO Kombucha and Orbit beers, as well as whiskey flavours from Synergy Flavours. Alongside this, we have breathable cheese packaging from Amcor and Fromagerie Milleret, crinkle fries from Strong Roots, and overnight oats from Linwoods. Lastly, we have news on Biomel’s planned expansion after its recent investment.
Image Source: Monty Rakusen/Getty Images
Kombucha brand MOMO and UK-based brewery Orbit Beers are joining forces to create a limited-edition alcohol-free hops kombucha, released in time for dry January.
Combining Hallertau Blanc and Nelson Sauvin hops, which provide gooseberry and tropical fruit flavours, with kombucha, the drink, which was launched on 24 November, also contains earthy and herbal notes and citrus tones.
For every bottle, MOMO will contribute 10p to Save the Children's Gaza appeal.
“We could think of no better partner than Orbit Beers,” said MOMO Co-founder Josh Puddle. “We’ve admired their traditional method of making European beer with a modern twist down the road in South East London for many years.
“This traditional approach with a flavour focussed modern spin felt like a natural fit for the way we brew. This is our third limited edition special, and we are so grateful to have partnered with Orbit. Their beers can regularly be found in our brewery fridge (for when a kombucha can’t quite cut it) and Orbit supply some of our favourite pubs and restaurants in London. Thanks also to our Head Brewer Matt Canham for the creation of this delicious kombucha - it could be our best yet.”
Image Source: MOMO Kombucha/Orbit Beers
UK alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint has launched its Alcohol-Free Superior Hazy IPA, its first IPA. The IPA, which is only the brand’s second beer, launched on 7 December.
The unfiltered beer, which according to Lucky Saint has no flavourings or additives, only natural ingredients, is also low in calories, with only 59 per can.
Combining US hops Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe, the beer, according to Lucky Saint, has notes of tropical fruit, zesty citrus, and fresh pine.
The beer is released now in order to be available for Dry January 2024, which is predicted to be the biggest on record in the UK.
“Five years after the launch of Lucky Saint’s Unfiltered Lager, I am beyond excited to announce our Alcohol-Free Hazy IPA,” said Lucky Saint Founder Luke Boase.
“I’m extremely proud of the IPA we’ve created, following two years of development. The ambition was to brew an alcohol-free IPA that captures the magic of new world hops, balanced with exceptional body and the perfect level of bitterness. Here’s to the next five years.”
Image Source: Lucky Saint
US-based flavourings company Synergy Flavours is launching a range of natural whiskey flavours and a whiskey cocktail flavour, designed to be used in both alcoholic and low-and-no-alcohol ready-to-drink (RTD) products.
The flavours, which include bourbon, Tennessee, fruity, and peaty whiskey flavours, alongside the traditional ‘old fashioned’ cocktail flavour, each include a sensory description highlighting flavour attributes, providing developers with the information they need to use them.
While the flavours are primarily designed for drinks, Synergy Flavours suggests that they can be used for other products, such as a chocolate mousse.
“RTD cocktails are becoming increasingly popular and, interestingly, we are seeing more activity in both non-alcoholic categories and beverages at 8% alcohol by volume (ABV) and above,” said Vicky Berry, Synergy Flavours’ Senior European Business Development Manager.
“For low- and no-alcohol products, the new portfolio helps our customers create drinks with flavours reminiscent of alcohol, replicating the sophistication of whiskey-based options that consumers enjoy. In beverages at 8% ABV and above, our whiskey flavours help manufacturers to reduce the amount of whiskey they require in their RTD cocktail, perhaps opting for a less expensive alcohol instead, while maintaining a premium flavour at a lower price point.”
Image Source: Synergy Flavours
UK-based packaging company Amcor and France-based cheese manufacturer Fromagerie Milleret have collaborated on producing a new paper packaging for the latter’s cheeses, Le Baron Brie and l’Ortolan Bio.
The two companies have worked together for over 30 years, but the new packaging contributes to a 53% reduction in water consumption compared to the previous pack, according to Amcor’s own life cycle assessment.
Fromagerie Milleret’s breathable packaging allows producers to control the amount of moisture that reaches the cheese. This is key to successful packaging, as packaging with too little air exchange means the cheese may become soggy, whereas packaging that is too porous may cause the cheese to dry out. The packaging is also recyclable.
“Fromagerie Milleret has been producing soft cheese products for over a century,” said Chloé Petit, Export Manager at Fromagerie Milleret.
“Since our foundation, we have worked to ensure sustainability in our products. Our long-standing partnership with Amcor to produce more sustainable soft cheese packaging reinforces our shared commitment to achieving full recyclability for all our dairy products.”
Image Source: Amcor/Fromagerie Milleret
Ireland-based food brand Strong Roots is releasing the newest edition to its range of chips products: Crispy Crinkle Fries.
The chips contain only two ingredients – sunflower oil and potato – and, according to Strong Roots, are low in salt and saturated fat, and contain 128 calories per serving. According to the company, they are sourced with all sustainable ingredients and have a carbon footprint of 1.1kg CO2E/kg.
“We believe in going back to our roots to secure our food future by making easy and delicious veg-forward frozen food that is good for you and good for the planet,” said Strong Roots Founder Sam Dennigan. “Good made easy.
“We know consumers are always on the lookout for convenient and healthy plant-based options and our goal is to make eating them as easy and delicious as possible. Our new Crispy Crinkle Fries are a natural next step for our successful chip and potato portfolio which continues to grow and we’re very grateful to have the support of Sainsbury’s to launch them. We can’t wait to hear what our customers think.”
The product is available this month from Sainsbury’s, followed by Amazon, at an RRP of £3.75.
Image Source: Strong Roots
UK-based food brand Linwoods recently launched a new range of overnight oats, coming in three flavours: Strawberry Energy, Chocolate Protein & Original Energy.
The oats, which were released on 1 December, have a number of health benefits. For example, according to Linwoods, the Strawberry Energy oats provide energy yielding metabolism and tiredness reduction through Vitamins B6 and B12.
Furthermore, the Chocolate Protein flavour is high in plant-based protein optimal for muscle growth and magnesium to combat tiredness and fatigue and support muscle function. One 50g serving of the oats contains 11g of plant-based protein, according to Linwoods.
The oats are also easy to prepare. All you need to do is cover a 50g serving with 100ml of a milk of your choice, cover and leave in the fridge overnight.
The oats can be bought on Amazon and on Linwoods’ website.
Image Source: Linwoods
Biomel, which produces plant-based gut-health products, is expanding its capacity after an investment by IRIS Ventures. The brand, which produces probiotic and prebiotic drinks and cereal bars, wants to grow.
After an investment of £5.5mn, Biomel is focusing in expanding its West London-based production facility, with a boost in R&D.
“We have an exciting innovation pipeline. We are increasing R&D investments to enhance our leadership in plant-based gut health and deliver novel solutions that support digestive and immune health,” Steven Hegarty, Co-founder and CEO of Biomel, told FoodNavigator.
“We are expanding capacity to meet soaring demand for our products. Sales have grown at a compound annual rate of 80% since launch of our products. We are anticipating demand to more than double next year.”
Image Source: Biomel
