14 February is the day created to celebrate cultural, religious and commercial commemorations of love the world over, and giving an indulgent, exquisite snack is a long-cherished token in conveying passion.
However, it shouldn’t mean straying off the path for health- and weight-conscience partner either, and Popcorn Shed has come up with perfect gifts for those following alternative lifestyles, including vegetarians, vegan and those avoiding gluten.
‘Popcorn & Kisses’ is a post-able gift of popcorn in an array of flavours, including Salted Caramel, Pop ‘N’ Chock and Say Cheese. Available in 220g lightweight box for an RRP of £12.50.
The brands Valentine’s Day Gift Tin comprises a 400g reusable gift tin packed with three delectable flavours – Caramel, Chocolate and Cookies & Cream – wrapped in a bow for £28.00.
Popcorn Shed’s humble beginnings began in 2016 when founders and cousins Sam and Laura started experimenting with popcorn recipes in the kitchen. As recipe development continued to create the perfect tasting popcorn, so did the mess and they were banished to the garden shed in the back garden (hence the company’s name). Today, the producer is rewriting the rules of snacks, introducing the nation to what it claims to be the UK’s first super-premium gourmet popcorn brand.
Popcorn Shed’s products are available online, on Amazon and Ocado.
UK foodservice supplier Brakes has launched a range to help operators capitalise on the trajectory trend that will no doubt be in evidence at Valentine celebrations.
Brake’s vegan versions of two UK favourites were developed after research showed that, while consumers increasingly want vegan products, they also want familiar, nostalgic comfort treats.
The British-made classic hot pudding desserts – a Syrup Sponge Pudding, Raspberry Jam Pudding and Sticky Toffee Pudding – are also pre-cut rather than presented in individual mould, to achieve a more rustic, homemade appearance.
“We’ve developed a fantastic range of puddings, which taste out of this world,” said Matt Lake, Brakes’ senior product development manager & innovation lead.
“While we recognise the huge, and increasing, importance of the vegan sector, first and foremost our products must be at least as good as traditional alternatives. These puddings do not disappoint.
“The growth in vegan products has been exponential and it shows no signs of stopping. It’s important, particularly in these difficult times, that we help our customers to capitalise on as many opportunities as possible and having a range that exceeds expectations of vegans and non-vegans alike is an important part of that.
“We know that 15% of vegans struggle when eating out and one in five miss non-vegan foods. So, this range is perfect addition to the menu, offering desserts that generations of people have loved and now everyone, including vegans, can continue to enjoy!”
Brakes has also launched a free webinar to make it easy to access inspirational recipe ideas, part of its Virtual Winter Food Festival.
Upcycled ingredient supplier and leader in plant-based, climate-friendly baking products Renewal Mill has partnered with Salt & Straw, claimed to be the world’s largest small-batch ice cream company, to create an exclusive vegan, chef-created flavour.
Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcake is made using Renewal Mill’s bestselling brownie mix and is aligned to Salt & Straw’s campaign to raise awareness that vegan is not only great for the planet, but can be great tasting, too.
The new flavour is a new addition to Salt & Straw’s Cupcakes by Vegandulgence limited series, available online and instore at Salt & Straw’s 25 locations across the US. It features a salted caramel frosting on top of Dark Chocolate Brownie cupcakes crumbled into a fleur de sel-spiked oat ice cream.
Renewal Mill’s brownie mix is a sustainably sourced vegan and gluten-free alternative to traditional flour-based baking mixes, handcrafted by a James Beard Award winning chef, Alice Medrich. It comprises upcycled organic okara flour, which Renewal Mill crafts by upcycling the soybean pulp generated during soymilk production which would otherwise go to waste and release greenhouse gases to intensify global warming. Okara flour is also a superfood, with superior nutrition and a neutral taste,
“According to leading research, around 1.3 billion tons of food gets wasted each year with much of it ending up in landfills and contributing to climate change,” said Caroline Cotto, co-founder of Renewal Mill, a women-owned and operated and based in Oakland, California.
“By improving the efficiency of our food system, Renewal Mill is helping ensure that the next-generation of eaters have a healthy planet and a sustainable future. Upcycling is about respect: respect for all the resources that go into growing and producing our food, and the people who do it. We are honoured to collaborate with Salt & Straw and help not only raise awareness about food loss and climate-friendly food options, but prove that eating sustainably doesn’t sacrifice taste.”
Co-founder Claire Schlemme added, “We are excited to expand our ever-growing portfolio of partnership products with Salt & Straw and welcome them to the upcycled food revolution.
“We have extensive experience working with novel ingredients and are committed to creating the next generation of food with fellow food industry leaders like the Salt & Straw team.”
Renewal Mill’s Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcake flavour is the first on Salt & Straw’s menu to feature okara flour.
“At Salt & Straw, we make some of the most indulgent and thoughtfully crafted vegan ice creams in the world,” said Tyler Malek, cofounder and head ice cream maker at Salt & Straw.
“Partnering with Renewal Mill was one of our most important initiatives in this menu because their products have captured that perfect mix of being revolutionarily thoughtful, as well as downright delicious. Their brownie mix is really, really good. We simply bake that mix off, slather it in a homemade caramel vegan frosting, and stud it into an oat milk ice cream to create one of the most delicious desserts you'll ever taste.... vegan or not.”
The frozen treat is available from Salt & Straw’s scoop shops in Portland, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle and the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, California. Pint packs are also available for online purchase and can be shipped anywhere in the US.
French bakery manufacturer Bridor has partnered with Maison Lenôtre to introduce a range of bread rolls that represent the very best of French bakery traditions.
The Finedor Ancient grains mini-baguette and Scandinavian-inspired Nordic Ball Roll are designed to enhance the culinary expertise of the hotel and catering sectors, offering customers an all-round experience that demonstrates creativity with culinary tradition.
The Finedor Ancient Grains mini-baguette is available in 50 x 50g pieces is made with spelt sourdough and a unique blend of seeds famed for their nutritional value including chia, amaranth, red quinoa and millet. Available in a 50g classic mini-baguette shape.
The Nordic Ball Roll (60g x 65 pieces0 is traditional in shape and scored by hand. The recipe features a blend of flours and seeds including poppy, millet, sesame, sunflower and flax, giving the bread a dark centre and the flavour of toasted cereals.
“We are delighted to be building on our 20-year relationship with the prestigious Maison Lenôtre,” said Blandine Daugene, EMEA marketing director at Bridor.
“Both businesses have a shared passion for high standards, excellence and creativity, and the development of our new range of rolls is designed to provide diners with a source of pleasure for all five of their senses. Bread is very much appreciated, and our sophisticated recipes bring the very best French craftsmanship to hotels, restaurants and caterers.”
Bringing in the new year no longer means going without, rather bringing in the new. And UK gourmet brownie company Bad Brownie is demonstrating just how you can do that.
As the London-based premium confectioner rolls out its range of luxurious decadent alternative for 2022, it’s time to say goodbye to the pre-packed ‘heathly’ keto brownies currently on the market.
Keto was ranked as the most searched for diet in 2021 with a whopping 200k search monthly, according to Google search data. The diet means reducing carbs with fat, which pressurises the body into a metabolic state. When this happens, the human body becomes incredibly efficient at burning fat for energy.
However, many aspiring weight losers find it challenging to find the ‘right’ treat – massive motivators in maintaining a regime – that benefit both the diet and the tastebuds.
Enter Bad Brownie’s keto offerings.
“I personally took up the keto diet after being stuck in lockdown. I really wanted to try an alternative healthier lifestyle without sacrificing my food happiness and having to miss out on enjoying sweet treats,” said Morag Ekanger, owner of Bad Brownie.
“After looking at what Brits are searching for and following my own experience with keto, we saw that there was a growing demand throughout the UK.
“But most of the products on the market are pre-packaged and not as decadent as the normal versions. We saw a great opportunity to create a keto brownie that didn’t sacrifice the gooey luxury of a delicious unrestricted brownie.”
The producer then launched its mission to create something that specifically eases those cravings, while maintaining a low sugar and low carb composition.
“Using our range of handmade ingredients like sugar-free chocolate and a blend of low-carb cocoa and sweetener has allowed us to create a unique flavour and delicious taste while remaining guilt free,” added Ekanger.
Bad Brownie’s gooey brownies are available online, including vegan and gluten-free options.
Good Good has rolled out new Krunchy Keto Bars that will help dieters achieve their aims.
The high protein bars are suited to numerous diets – including diabetics.
Made with collagen, fibre and no artificial sweeteners, the bars contain only 2g of net carbs and are naturally sweetened with erythritol and stevia extract. Available in Available in two variants – Almond Banana (nutty and coated in chocolate) and Coconut Krunchy (a crispy, understated version of the popular Bounty bar).
Available online and on Amazon in 15-pack boxes for $29.99 per box – take the to work, school or even munch on them for a post-workout treat.
Premia – a member of global ice-cream group Food Union – has captalised on the opportunity to ramp up its range with a new series of high-end products for that ultra-dreamy snack session.
According to the Estonia producer, this renaissance brings the industry full circle from a time when nearly all ice creams used real cream. Today producers are realising the importance of getting back to basics, while also noting their standing as a signature of quality.
In this vein, Premia has developed Premia Cream de le Cream to engage consumers with a more luxurious ‘cream focused’ offering. The range comes in three new flavours, all packed in environmentally-friendly PEFC-certified carboard tubs, including Vanilla (with pieces of cookie dough and salted caramel), Banana (with a peanut filling and crunchy pieces of chocolate cookies) and Chocolate (again, with chocolate chip cookies and soft peanut cream).
In addition to new Premia Cream de la Cream line, Premia has created two 500ml cartons for the ultimate dulcet treat and 1 litre tubs for sharing with loved ones.
The 500ml tubs come in coffee ice cream with salted caramel filling and waffle balls in milk chocolate; and vanilla ice cream with walnuts and maple syrup.
The 1-litre sharing tub leverages the popularity of the Italian panna cotta dessert, where rich raspberry sauce meets creamy ice cream.
Start the new year the way you want your kids to continue – enthralled and enthused by heavenly baking aromas emanating from the oven.
Baking subscription box brand Baketivity has expanded its mix of delectable baking kits, especially designed for the younger set, in collaboration with L.O.L. Surprise Dolls.
L.O.L. Surprise Dolls will arrive on your doorstep with all the pre-measured dry ingredients you need to create incredible confections, as well as step-by-step instructions to make it fun for everyone. Currently, two kits currently make up the range, including Sugar Cookies with edible L.O.L. characters, and L.O.L Surprise Cakes.
Baketivity boxes will deliver a fun experience for children and adults alike, guaranteed. Easy recipe sets are available as monthly subscription boxes or as one time activity boxes to ramp up a birthday, special occasion or weekend at home.
Crave is ‘sticking two fingers’ against the bland and boring world of free from and vegan with two new maize snacks.
Bold, unapologetic and all about taste, the better-for-you snack brand has launched Pickled Onion Monster Feet and Smokey Flavoured Streakers to show that free from and vegan products can taste just as good if not better than their mainstream equivalents. The new products will join the brand’s award-winning Kitchen Sink and Rocky Road bars.
“We wanted to develop a range of snacks that revolutionise the free from range, instead of bland and boring we set out to create some snacks which are tongue-in-cheek, fun and full of flavour,” said Rob Brice, former chef and developer of Crave.
“Our mission was to create snacks that are normal, for too long those with allergies, intolerances or following a vegan diet have had to miss out, hunt for bland alternatives or frankly products that taste a bit shit. But now there’s no more FOMO [fear of missing out], everyone can get the products they Crave.”
The vegan snacks are also gluten-, lactose- and milk-free, available on the company’s website for an RRP of £1.80 for an 80g pack.
