Speciality-Food-Magazine-November-December-2024

13 specialityfoodmagazine.com Alcohol-free vanilla extract launched by LittlePod Founder of the Campaign for Real Vanilla, LittlePod, has released an alcohol-free alternative to conventional vanilla paste. The new innovation, several years in the making, was originally produced as a specialist product for the Middle East market but the rising demand fromBritish consumers has led the busines s to launch the pro duct domestically too. The paste – sold in a recyclable aluminium tube – is equivalent to 20 vanilla pods, including seeds, and offers a lower-sugar alternative to other vanilla pastes on the market. Larger formats are available for foodservice. Janet Sawyer MBE BEM, managing director and founder of LittlePod, said, “Our new alcohol-free vanilla paste has been a long time in the making. We first set out to develop an alcohol-free vanilla paste for the Middle East, but customers in the UK and elsewhere have also expressed an interest and we have responded to that demand. Our original natural vanilla paste in a tube is our bestselling product and that isn’t going to change. But an increasing number of consumers, both at home and abroad, are seeking an alcohol-free alternative and we are delighted to be able to meet that need. “This has been a challenging project, and it has takenmuch time and effort to perfect the process. We are so pleased with the end result – another innovative and unique product that makes using real vanilla easier for all, without comprising on the quality.” littlepod.co.uk Pasta sauce brand The Saucerer has partnered with Tom’s Pasta, a destination restaurant in East London, to produce a new stir-in pasta sauce. The new limited-edition sauce brings together Calabrian chilies and hot honey for a moreish hit of spice that offers a quick and convenient meal solution. The latest launch joins Plant- based Chorizo & Smoky Red Pepper Pasta Sauce, Roasted Aubergine and Spicy Harissa Pasta Sauce and Wild Mushroom & Truffle Pesto in The Saucerer’s range. TimHillgarth, founder of The Saucerer, said, “This Calabrian chilli and hot honey pasta sauce is bold, spicy and perfect for weeknight dinners. We developed it in partnership with TomHayden, founder of Hackney institution Tom’s Pasta, and it’s not only delicious but bang on trend with its hit of spice thanks to hot honey.” thesaucerer.co.uk Hot new pasta sauce hits UK shelves Cox & Co have launched hot chocolate spoons crafted from single origin Columbian cacao to cater for the demand for luxurious hot drinks this winter. There are three flavours in the range: Miso & Caramel, Mint and Single Origin (Plain Chocolate). Made using 60% cacao, the spoons provide a well-balanced combination of bitter coffee and rich caramel sweetness and are vegan-friendly. Gavin Cox, founder of Cox & Co, said, “We are excited to be launching our new range of Hot Chocolate Spoons, just in time for the winter season ahead. These offer consumers the perfect stocking filler or gifting idea for Christmas, or just a warming treat during the colder months. Crafted from the finest cacao from Colombia’s Luker Chocolate estate, our hot chocolate spoons have beenmade with care and sustainability inmind for ethical chocolate you can feel good about enjoying.” coxandcocacao.com Cox & Co release hot chocolate spoons Biona unveils new healthy breads Biona has announced three new additions to its bakery range, including a ready-to-eat option and two bake-at-home variants. The new items are a sliced Power Protein Bread, a twin-pack of Rustic Sourdough Baguettes, and a four-pack of Oat Topped Wholemeal Rolls. The new products have been designed to cater to diverse taste preferences and provide high levels of fibre and protein. They are also suitable for vegans and made with sourdough. The Power Protein bread is ready to be eaten, while the baguettes and rolls can be baked in 4-6 minutes, making them a suitable option for time-poor consumers looking for freshly baked bread. Carmen Ferguson, brand manager at Biona’s parent company Windmill Organics, said, “With over three million UK consumers actively avoiding UPF, clean-label products are clearly on the rise, and these latest bakery launches align perfectly with this trend, offering simple, organic, minimally processed bread alternatives that still deliver on taste and texture. In a market saturated with ultra- processed bread options, our organic breads are all free from chemical pesticides or artificial additives making them a wholesome and nutritious alternative. Between 2023-2024, Biona has enjoyed growth of 183% within breads category sales, so we’re confident these latest additions should help consolidate this positive momentum.” biona.co.uk Farm-to-table tea comes to UK A tea estate committed to revolutionising the tea supply chain is bringing a selection of loose leaf and bagged tea to the British fine food scene. Devagiri is on a mission to source and produce their teas in a way that ensures fairness, sustainability and exceptional quality from farm to cup by drastically shortening the supply chain and enhancing the lives of tea- producing communities. The range includes Vanilla, Cinnamon, CardamomChai, Earl Grey and Breakfast teas. Roshana Gammampila, owner of Devagiri Teas, said “We are thrilled to bring our range of quality, ethical Devagiri Teas to the UKmarket and to prove that by implementing transparent, direct supply chains we can help tea producers escape poverty without changing the retail price.” devagiri-teas.com