Product showcase 2020: From bespoke French macarons to perfect summer pairings
Power up
Organic smart food brand Human Food has added an Orange and a White to its existing range of Green, Red and Yellow Organic Daily Nutrition Bars.
The launch of the two new flavours coincides with the rollout of the new ‘power up’ packaging, which includes colour-coded, bar-specific nutritional information on front of the pack.
According to the Welch brand, its bars are the world’s most nutritionally-dense organic food, specifically designed to support a plant-based lifestyle. Its snacks comprise only organic nutrients, providing 100% of the recommended intake (RI) of vitamin B12 from natural quinoa sprout, among other essential micronutrients.
The Orange Bar contains 100% RI of vitamin C per bar, which increases antioxidant activity, reduces the risk of heart disease and boosts the immune system by promoting white blood cell production, among other benefits. The White Bar contains 16g of organic nuts, which are high in antioxidants and fibre, and reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol. In addition, almonds are rich in magnesium, which reduces blood pressure and improves insulin sensitivity; walnuts are packed with omega 3, improving brain function; and cashews contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect eye health.
Since its launch earlier this year, the brand claims to have garnered ‘amazing’ support from consumers around the world – including ultra-runner Catra Corbett and rock climber Steph Davis – who have signed up to receive monthly subscriptions, delivered by carbon neutral courier direct to their door.
Human Food’s early growth has also been driven by environmentally-conscious consumers, drawn to organic production, zero-plastic packaging, biodegradable wrappers and carbon-neutral delivery.
Heirloom corn
Pipcorn has expanded its North American presence with listings in the Canadian retail channel. Pipcorn's Heirloom Popcorn and Heirloom Cheese Balls are now available at Loblaws Natural Value stores, and will roll out to additional retailers throughout the year.
The Canadian offerings include the brand’s top sellers Truffle and Sea Salt Heirloom Popcorn, as well as Heirloom Cheese Balls’ Cheddar and Cheddar Jalapeno variants, both made with organic dairy.
Pipcorn uses heirloom corn – a mini-kernel corn that is easier to digest – as the base for all of its products to create sustainable, clean label snacks. The snacks are whole grain, gluten-free and Non-GMO Project Verified.
"We are so excited to introduce Pipcorn to our neighbours up north, bringing our sustainable snacking favourites to more people in partnership with Loblaws," said Teresa Tsou, cofounder of Pipcorn.
“Starting with our popcorn and cheese balls, this expansion creates a jumping-off point for Canadians looking for options that are not only better-for-you but also doing great work to better the planet.”
The brand also recently launched its Heirloom Crackers, created from the leftover corn flour from its cheese balls production. The minority-owned certified B Corporation is also committed to supporting the community by donating percentages of sales to various groups to support COVID relief, BIPOC, and well as LGBTQIA+ organisations.
Pipcorn’s snacks are available in North American retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Kroger, The Fresh Market, Ahold and Central Market.
French luxury
London-based Treat Me Sweet Co specialises in bespoke French macarons for luxury gifts, wedding favours and special events, which it sells online and delivers directly to your doorstep across the UK.
Handmade in baker Senda El Kardali, the naturally gluten-free, organic, plant based macarons come in a variety of innovative flavours, filled with ingredients like organic fruits, dried flowers, nuts, herbs and spices.
Every macaron that leaves the TMS kitchen is artfully inspired – ranging from Arabesque Jasmine to Strawberry Cheesecake and Chocolate & Sea Salt Caramel, decorated with gold platter paint, sprinkles and metallic accents. The bespoke macarons are fully customisable and can be whipped up in any shape, hue or flavour.
‘It’s hard to put into words, because our philosophy is more like a feeling. It’s that feeling you get when you remember something long after you’ve forgotten it. At Treat me sweet, we bring the magic to life through our delectable macarons from passionate maker,” said El Kardali.
“We hope your Treat me sweet experience awakens your inner child, reminds you how much there is to be thankful for and inspires you to find the rabbit in your hat. Because that, my friend, is where the magic happens.”
The brand is currently working on a line of cocktail and superfood- fruit based macarons.
The pack is back
The FOMO-inducing Cheez-It and Wine box that had everyone buzzing last year is back.
This year's limited-edition box from Kellogg’s offers a brand-new, summer-ready combination: Cheez-It White Cheddar & House Wine Rosé.
Made with 100% real cheese, Cheez-It White Cheddar crackers pair perfectly with the light, crisp flavour of the favoured summer drink – all in one convenient package.
"Following the success of our first edition of Cheez-It and Wine, which sold out in minutes, we knew we had to bring the partnership back this summer with a new flavour pairing," said Jeff Delonis, senior director of Marketing for Cheez-It.
“White Cheddar is a long-standing favourite of Cheez-It fans and what better match than light, refreshing rosé? Not only does it perfectly complement the cheesy goodness, it's also the unofficial wine of summer!”
According to Hal Landvoigt, winemaker for House Wine, rosé wine has skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years, especially during the warm summer season.
“For the second year of this partnership, we knew the pairing had to feature rosé as the perfect complement to the real-cheese flavour in Cheez-It White Cheddar,” said Landvoigt.
The limited edition Cheez-It White Cheddar & House Wine Rosé is available on OriginalHouseWine.com for a RRP of $29.99 while supplies last.
Love flour
Carr’s Flour has launched a premium grade pizza flour for the UK trade market.
After a year in development with pizza making experts, Amore Farina – which means ‘love flour – creates a strong, white, smooth elastic dough that remains light and gives the perfect rise to pizzas every time, said the UK flour miller.
Milled at Carr’s Flour’s Maldon Mill, the flour was created in the test bakery, and undertook a three stage scientific development process to ensure consistent taste and quality. It can be used to create both thin and crispy bases as well as deep pan pizzas.
“Over the past year we have worked tirelessly with pizza makers to discover what makes a great pizza flour and we believe you will ‘Amore Farina’,” said Allan Burns, sales and marketing director at Carr’s Flour.
Amore Farina – along with Carr’s range of premium flours – are available to order nationwide. The company plans to support the launch of the pizza flour with a promotional campaign, as well as giveaways of pizza making equipment.
Beyond breakfast
Kellogg UK has partnered with family-owned peanut butter manufacturer Duerr’s to launch Crunchy Nut Peanut Butter.
The collaboration of the duo – both headquartered in Manchester – has involved a merging of expertise, resulting in a launch that combines two breakfast favourites. With the peanut butter market currently estimated to be worth £104m and the retail sales value of Crunchy Nut standing at over £100m, Kellogg and Duerr’s identified a window to innovate together.
For the breakfast cereal giant, the launch provides an opportunity to penetrate a wider range of occasions with Crunchy Nut beyond breakfast.
Crunchy Nut Peanut Butter has a super smooth texture combined with crunchy, honey coated roasted peanuts.
‘’Crunchy Nut is regularly hailed as the UK’s favourite cereal and we have seen huge sales increases [43%] over the past few months, with more shoppers having breakfast at home,” said Ben Simpson, revenue & channel director at Kellogg’s UK.
‘’Knowing the popularity of the cereal, launching Crunchy Nut Peanut Butter allows us to meet a wider range of consumer occasions and it’s been great to work with another Manchester based business in Duerr’s to make that possible. With recent data revealing peanut butter sales have overtaken jam, we’re confident that the launch of Crunchy Nut Peanut Butter will prove to be a popular one.’’
Crunchy Nut Peanut Butter is available in Sainsbury’s stores nationwide for an RRP of £2.50.
Summertime snacking
New England brands Cape Cod Potato Chips and Samuel Adams have collaborated to release a super summertime snack pairing: Limited Edition Cape Cod Summer Potato Chips and Samuel Adams Summer Ales.
According to the pair, the new chip-and-beer offerings capture the taste of summer, with the simple elegance of cracked pepper with a hint of lemon of the potato chips complementing the delicate orange, lime and lemon notes of Samuel Adams Summer Ale.
Both products are available throughout the summer of 2020 while supplies last.
Energy boost
Nature Valley has introduced Packed, a sustained energy bar formulated with antioxidant and energy-boosting combos of almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, cranberries and blueberries.
The new bar is available in two varieties – Peanut Butter & Cranberry and Almond Butter & Blueberry. In addition to sustained energy, brand owner General Mills is promoting the bar’s creamy, crunchy and chewy textures.
“Time and again, we’ve heard from consumers who want a delicious, affordable snack bar with feel-good ingredients that not only bring together a variety of textures, but can also offer long-lasting energy to help them get through their busy days,” said Scott Baldwin, business unit director of grain snacks for General Mills.
“With the introduction of Packed, Nature Valley is proud to offer a snack bar that delivers on each of these desires.”
The Packed bars are available in select retail across the US for a RRP of $4.49 per four-count box.
