Product showcase 2020: Gluten-busting, plant-powered grab-‘n-go snacks
For sensitive stomachs
US agricultural biotechnology company Arcadia Biosciences has launched a limited release of its GoodWheat Reduced Gluten Wheat Flour, which it claims contains 65% less gluten than traditional flours.
The high fibre blend is milled from a variety of non-GMO wheat grown in western US and Arcadia’s first retail offering within its GoodWheat portfolio of non-GMO speciality wheat ingredients.
According to Arcadia, its GoodWheat portfolio intends to reinvent wheat as a ‘functional food’ and enable a wider range of choices to meet evolving consumer demands.
“Many consumers are looking to reduce their gluten intake, either as a result of a sensitivity or because they simply feel better, and our GoodWheat Reduced Gluten Wheat Flour allows them to enjoy their favourite recipes without compromising on taste or texture,” said Sarah Reiter, chief commercial officer of Arcadia.
“While many consumers have turned to ancient grains or nut flours to reduce the amount of gluten in their diets, they can be difficult to incorporate into recipes.
“With our natural GoodWheat Reduced Gluten Wheat Flour, consumers can enjoy the same wheat taste they love, but with significantly less gluten and more fibre.”
GoodWheat Reduced Gluten Wheat Flour is currently available online in 2lb bags for an RRP of $12.99. A full-scale release is planned for Spring 2020.
Veggie forward
Veggies Made Great has expanded its range of veggie cakes with three new flavours. Quinoa, Butternut Squash and Harvest Root join the brand’s existing line-up of its Original and Broccoli Cheddar veggie cakes.
According to brand owner Garden Lites, only one in 10 Americans eat the daily recommended amount of vegetables – so the veggie-packed cakes are a delicious way to eat more veggies, while minimising waste from leftover veggies left in the fridge.
The cakes are also free from gluten, soy and nuts, low in calories and packed with fibre, vitamins and nutrients.
The Quinoa Veggie Cakes are a blend of kale, quinoa and carrots at only 90 calories.
The Butternut Squash Veggie Cakes contain a blend of butternut squash, carrots and a hint of brown sugar.
At 100 calories, the Harvest Root Veggie Cakes are a mix of beets, carrots and sweet potatoes.
New-Jersey based brand Veggies Made Great are available in Costco stores in packs of 12.
Why wait?
Woolworths is already stocking its shelves with an extensive range of Easter favourites.
According to Australia’s retail giant, last year, over 83.7 million hot cross buns were eaten by customers, with 13.2 million of them sold in January.
This year, Woolworths has teamed up with Australia-owned brand Darrel Lead to roll out the Darrell Lea Mocha Hot Cross Bun – made with 100% Arabica coffee – Darrell Lea Chocolate Chips and Aussie flour. It has also launched its own-brand Hot Cross Loaf (just like a bun, but bigger), Hot Cross Bun-flavoured ice cream and the Free From Gluten Hot Cross Bun range in Chocolate, Fruity and Fruitless varieties – all of which are gluten, dairy and egg free.
“We know our customers wait with lots of anticipation for the launch of our hot cross buns range in-stores,” said Andy Thomas, Woolworths head of Bakery.
“Our mocha hot cross buns have always been a hot favourite and we’re excited to take it up a notch this year through our partnership with well-loved Aussie chocolate brand, Darrell Lea and a couple of spoonfuls of 100% Arabica coffee.
“We also know offices across Australia are big fans of putting out hot cross buns in the kitchen – but the dilemma is they finish up so quickly. This is why we’ve created a bigger Hot Cross Loaf, perfect for sharing with bigger groups.
“Our team of bakers have also been looking to further perfect our traditional fruit and fruitless hot cross buns and we are confident our customers will fall in love with them even more with a softer, lighter and fluffier texture.”
The new and returning traditional and non-traditional hot cross bun treats are now available in Woolworths stores across Australia for RRPs ranging from AU$3.50-$5 (US$2.43-$3.47).
Celebrate Veganuary in style
Kettle Chips has launched a vegan alternative to the popular cheese-‘n-onion combo, especially for consumers who are observing Veganuary.
The new edition features Red Leicester-style cheese from vegan cheese brand Sheese, which the Campbell Soup-owned brand said ‘works perfectly with the sweet red onion seasoning’.
The new flavour was developed by the brand’s innovation chef Phil Hovey in partnership with vegan chefs Bosh.
“More and more people across are adopting a vegan diet and at Kettle we’re always looking for ways to bring our flavour combinations to everyone, regardless of their dietary requirements,” said Hovey.
“Who better to team up with to develop this recipe then the guys from Bosh, who are all about great tasting vegan food without compromise.
“It was brilliant working with them to develop our Sheese and Red Onion variety and we can’t wait for everyone, vegan or not, to try this exciting new addition to our growing vegan portfolio.”
Kettle is rolling out the new variant in Asda, Budgens and Londis stores across the UK from the start of January, followed by Tesco and Morrison’s at the end of the month, for an RRP of £1.99 ($2.61).
Hipster snacks
Hippeas Organic Chickpea Snacks is spreading its Peas & Love with the launch of HIPPEAS Tortilla Chips, which are certified organic, gluten-free and vegan.
The chickpea chips pack a punch of plant power, along with 3g of protein and 3g of fibre per 1oz serving.
Available in three variants – Straight Up Sea Salt, Rockin’ Ranch and Jalapeño Vegan Cheddar – the tortilla chips are packed in the brands well-known bright yellow bag packaging and are sold exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores across the US for an RRP of $3.99.
“This product expansion signifies the growth of Hippeas as a snacking platform and lifestyle brand that our fans know and love,” said Joe Serventi, Hippeas’ CEO.
“We are extremely fortunate to be recognized as a brand that is pioneering the next generation of better-for-you snacking and working closely with retailers such as Whole Foods Market to develop innovation that both retailers and consumers are looking for,” he continued.
The tortilla chips join Hippeas portfolio of Organic Chickpea Puffs in Vegan White Cheddar, Nacho Vibes, Bohemian Barbecue, Sriracha Sunshine and Himalayan Happiness variants.
Plant-powered
US farm-to-table brand Nuco has launched Coconut Power Crunch, a nutritious grab-n’-go snack especially for consumers who are following paleo, vegan and keto lifestyles.
The crunchy snack is made with sustainably and ethically sourced organic coconuts and palm starch – making it grain-free, with no sugar added – available in Cacao, Mango and Banana variants.
Coconut Power Crunch is rolling out in select natural independent retailers across the US, and is also available online for an RRP of $2.39.
A portion of Nuco’s profits goes to social, economic and environmental projects in the Philippines.
Go-getters
UK speciality cheese company Norseland has launched a cheese-bar snack to capitalise on the increasing snackification trend among the on-the-go generation.
According to the company, Amazin Grazin is the first cheese snack targeted at the young adult market.
Market research has found that millennials and Gen Zs are living their lives a lot more out of home than previous generations, and are looking for snacks to satisfy their hunger, lifestyle, health and environmental needs.
Norseland has risen to the challenge and created the Amazin Grazin bars in three variants, including:
Smokey Chipotle (spicy): mild cheddar cheese blended with smoky chipotle flakes, sweet chilli jam, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds;
Sticky date and honey (sweet) : mild cheddar cheese blended with orange blossom honey, sticky chopped dates, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds;
Berry and cherry (fruit): mild cheddar cheese blended with blueberries, cranberries, cherries, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds
“Young consumers want easy snacking options, but they are really demanding a high taste factor," said Dominique Delacour, head of marketing and new product development at Norseland.
“We think the launch of this new tasty, snack, which is made from 100% natural ingredients, will be popular with millennials and generation Z, whose mantra for life is to be adventurous and try new things, while keeping a check on their health.
“Amazin Grazin is also a snack made completely in Britain, meaning fewer air miles, and we have kept the packaging to a minimum, as we are environmentally conscious.”
Amazin Grazin bars are available exclusively in 290 Sainsbury's stores from January to the end of April in packs of four in the refrigerator sector for an RRP of £2.70 ($3.55) per pack.
