A bite closer to a better world
ZenB has expanded its Veggie Sticks range with a new variant: Sweet Potato.
The sixth flavour in the lineup features sweet potato as its first ingredient, which is a good source of fibre, seasoned with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
According to the producer, ZenB comes from ‘zenbu’, the Japanese expression for ‘whole’, and its products are exactly that, using the entire veggie – stems, seeds and peels included – in its better-for-you-and-the-planet snacks.
ZENB’s Veggie Sticks are a novel way to get more veggies into a consumer’s daily diet and of course, promotes food waste reduction.
The snacks are also vegan, gluten-free, organic, non-GMO and do not contain any artificial flavours, sweeteners, colours or preservatives.
Available on the company’s website from May 18 for delivery across the US.
All your veggies
This month, the producer is rolling out Veggie Bites that are packed with plant-based proteins and vitamins, giving Brits another opportunity to snack in the healthiest way possible.
ChicP was founded in 2016 by food waste advocate and former chef, Hannah McCollum, who turned otherwise unwanted ingredients into nutrient-rich dips.
“Forty percent of British crops are rejected because of their shape or size, but at ChicP we never turn a healthy vegetable down,” said McCollum.
“I created the brand to counteract the high levels of food waste around the world, taking the opportunity to have a positive impact on the community and our natural resources, as well as influencing our health habits.”
The new Veggie Bites complement the brand’s dip range and are rolling out in Wholefoods in three variants: Sweet Potato & Rosemary, Spinach, Red Pepper & Parsley and Beetroot & Apple.
The Bites are sugar-, dairy-, nut- and additive-free, and are suitable for vegans and those following low-calorie diets.
Delivered in recyclable packaging to encourage a zero-waste approach, Veggie Bites also promote gut health, provide a source of plant-based protein, and will utilise seasonal, British ingredients.
Available in Wholefoods in 100g packs of seven for an RRP of £1.95), customers can also order Veggie Bites in 200g and 1kg quantities online.
Get involved in the birth of a new snack
Peacasa is launching a Kickstarter campaign on May 19 to officially launch its 100% Chickpea based chips in Sea Salt and Mediterranean Herb flavours.
The idea for the chips was born after recent University of Ottawa graduates Aaron Johnstone and Victor Courarie-Delage discovered a delicious wood-fired crepe made from chickpea flour in a street market in the south of France. The pair decided to recreate this into a thin and crispy chip and launched the Toronto-based business in March 2019.
Made from five simple ingredients including chickpea flour, high-oleic sunflower oil, extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt and black pepper, Peacasa Chickpea Chips pack 8g of protein – 2x more than potato or corn chips – as well as 4g of fibre.
The handmade chips are also grain- and gluten-free, and vegan and non-GMO.
“Despite being told by industry veterans that we could not make a chip out of chickpeas without adding rice or corn like other bean-based chips, we were stubborn and never gave up on our commitment to using only simple Mediterranean ingredients,” said Courarie-Delage.
Jonstone added, “We reworked and finetuned our recipe hundreds of times until Peacasa Chickpea Chips were light, crispy, and even more delicious than the warm chickpea crepes we first enjoyed in the street markets of Southern France.”
Peacasa secured funding from Futurpreneur, and is now looking to raise additional capital through crowdfunding site Kickstarter in order to build a new manufacturing facility for the official launch of the product.
The company plans to roll out the snacks in the natural retail and online channels later this year.
Game, set, match
German family-run biscuit company Bahlsen has rolled out Baileys Squares Strawberries & Cream exclusively in Waitrose outlets across the UK.
Created in collaboration with Baileys, the limited edition product has been designed to tap into the ever increasing demand for truly indulgent biscuits, while also aligning with the popular British summertime flavour combination of berries and cream.
The biscuit is composed of a smooth filling infused with the taste of Baileys Strawberries & Cream, sandwiched between a wafer biscuits and a milk chocolate square.
“Through the success of the Special Treats category, we’ve witnessed the increasing consumer appetite for truly indulgent biscuits and we’re thrilled to be able to expand our offering to continue to meet this demand,” said Julie Lacrampe, trade marketing manager at Bahlsen.
“Marrying together two much loved treats that are Bahlsen biscuits and Baileys Strawberries & Cream, we’re confident that this new product launch will become a firm favourite amongst consumers.”
The rollout in Waitrose is being supported by an online and instore shopper marketing campaign, including an exclusive shopper competition on the Waitrose website. With every pack purchase, shoppers can win the chance to book a private tennis lesson with a professional tennis coach at Stoke Park followed by afternoon tea.
Bahlsen Baileys Squares Strawberries & Cream are available in Waitrose from late April in 125g packs (12 biscuits) with an RRP of £1.79.
Gut healthy breads
Master baker Aidan Monks from Lovingly Artisan has set about reinvigorating some ancient ingredients to create a range of better-for-you breads.
Provenance is everything, which is why Monk spent a considerable amount of time testing and refining his recipes, taking care to source and use only organic ingredients from across the UK.
The first two breads in the new range are all about gut health, crafted to form part of a balanced diet and help maintain a healthy body.
The Spelt, Golden & Brown Linseed Seed Bread is a good source of gluten- and wheat-free fibre, and has a mild, nutty flavour.
The wholegrain spelt and linseeds play a big part in aiding digestion and also helps to improve blood cholesterol levels and improve heart health. The bread is packed with an array of vitamins and essential nutrients including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and potassium.
Sunflower Seed Danish Rugbrød is based on the traditional rye bread originally brought to the UK by the Vikings in the 10th century.
Rye’s health benefits are well documented to help lower blood pressure and the risk of suffering a heart attack failure, while improving circulation and overall digestive tract function. The addition of sunflower seeds makes the bread high in fibre and nutrient dense with manganese, copper, phosphorus and pantothenic acid.
‘’Fermented food has soared in popularity in recent years, in part thanks to the ever-increasing interest and research into gut health people are beginning to realise the importance of eating foods that aid absorption and increase healthy probiotics in the gut,” said Monks.
“As bakers, we want to be at the forefront of this resurgence in traditionally made breads, real breads made by artisan bakers, that are high in fibre, full of nutrients and are easily digested because they are naturally fermented and don’t contain the array of additives, manufactured yeasts and processed sugars that you find in a factory produced sliced loaf.’’
Both breads are available on a first come first serve basis at the bakery’s outlets in Kendal and Manchester with a RRP of £4.
Gluten-free bakes at home
Davina Steel, the only gluten-free bakery in East Anglia in the UK, has secured a listing with supermarket chain Waitrose for two of its gluten-free baking kits – Pizza Mix and Garlic & Rosemary Focaccia.
“This is a huge achievement for us as a brand,” said co-founder Davina Steel.
“Since gaining Salsa accreditation at the end of last year, we’ve had the opportunity to approach more of the bigger retailers with our range of baking kits so we’re absolutely delighted to have secured this contract with Waitrose, which is a perfect fit for us.
“Making gluten-free bakes is particularly challenging and we’re seeing a growing demand for our kits, which provide a simple baking solution for those who want to bake something fresh at home with minimal fuss.”
Davina Steel launched its range of six gluten free baking kits in 2018 and has since secured deals with Co-Op, Ocado and Sainsbury’s.
Made using only natural ingredients and free from 13 known allergens, the Baking Kits are a great solution for those who are short on time, but don’t want to compromise on taste. Each kit boasts a two-year shelf life.
The 300g Garlic & Rosemary Focaccia Kit has an RRP £2.99 while the 400g Pizza Base Mix has an RRP £2.49, available from 157 Waitrose stores across the UK from May 11.
Get baking
Deana Karim – the New York City-based founder of Good Dee’s health-conscious, allergen-free baking mixes and pantry staples – is releasing a fresh collection of treats, including:
- Blueberry Pancake Low-Carb Baking Mix: Grain-, gluten- and sugar alcohol-free, made with coconut flour and sweetened with all-natural allulose, with 2g net carbs.
- Sugar-Free Food Sparkle in ‘Pinky’s Up’ and ‘Yellow Gold’: sweetened with Erythritol and featuring all-natural colouring, with 0g net carbs.
- ‘Just Add Water’ Cream Cheese Frosting Mix: a three-ingredient treat topping that is free of gluten, maltitol and sugar alcohol, sweetened with all-natural allulose and 1g net carbs.
- Signature Blend Low-Carb Sweetener: a multi-purpose vegan 1-to-1 sugar replacement free of sugar alcohol and stevia, featuring all-natural allulose and 0g net carbs.
“Our mission has always been to make baking – and life – a little easier with healthy, delicious snack options,” said Karim.
“Right now, when people are looking for inspiration and reasons to celebrate, the best way we can fulfil our mission is by giving back to our community and sharing our latest creative options with the world.”
The line of all-in-one baking mixes are available on the company’s website with an RRP of $11.99.
