SRSLY Low Carb Launches Large Torpedo-Shaped Hotdog Rolls for BBQ Season

The month of June sees SRSLY Low Carb launching its next keto-friendly bread offering in the shape of a torpedo shaped hotdog roll that has all the taste and texture of a traditional hotdog roll, but which has an impressive protein count and only a fraction of the 'lazy' carbs you'd get in a traditional, wheat-based hot dog roll.

Says SRSLY Low Carb founder, Andy Welch: "By utilising the enviable protein prowess of egg, pea protein and wheat gluten we've managed to create a BBQ ready roll that offers only a miserly 1.3 carbs per roll, which is significantly less (90%) than their everyday alternatives.  Better than that each rolls offers 12g of protein, which is 170% more protein and 400% more fibre than a typical off-the-shelf bready hot dog holder.

According to SRSLY founder, Andy Welch, "When we travel up and down the country attending consumer events like Ketofest and IFE it's great to talk to both new converts and committed die-hards about what's missing from our range. 

"Consistently conversations have turned to us creating hot dog rolls that are not only immeasurably healthier but keep you fuller-for-longer.  

"We're proud to have a created yet another superb bready alternative that over-indexes in taste without causing the sugar crash so commonly associated with everyday white bread offerings."

https://seriouslylowcarb.com.

Goodrays CBD Expands Waitrose Listing With CBD Oils and Gummies

A box of Mixed CBD Gummies (RRP £24.95), CBD Zen Drops (RRP £24.95), CBD Night Drops (£24.95) and Mixed Pack of CBD Drinks (RRP: £7.50) will now be available across 263 stores. The range increase means customers will now have a CBD option for every part of their day.

Henry Colver, Head of Marketing, says: “For Waitrose to have taken on our whole range is game-changing for us - it supports our brand mission to educate on the benefits of CBD and provide daily calm and clarity to people all over the UK.  

"The CBD industry has its challenges - our digital advertising is heavily restricted, so we rely on word-of-mouth advertising and strong retail presence. There is still a huge amount of work to be done around educating around what CBD is - some recent research we conducted showed that 33% of CBD users thought that CBD products had THC in them, however, CBD in its purest form contains zero THC and will not make you 'high'. We look forward to working with the team at Waitrose to educate consumers on this amazing compound.”

In the research conducted 2023 by Goodrays, these are the main reasons customers are using CBD:

To help with stress and anxiety (45%)

For pain relief (42%)

To aid and improved sleep (38%)

Medical Reasons (29%)

To help with depression (25%)

Goodrays now has a team of ten and is based in Shoreditch, London.

Awareness around mental wellbeing has been a huge driving force for Goodrays' founder Eoin Keenan. Keenan has been a vocal advocate of the power of the hemp plant for over a decade, and set up his own business in 2020 focusing on high quality CBD products, at accessible price point, such as oils and RTD canned drinks, that gained listings in Tesco and Waitrose last year.

Like many young people, anxiety started to become an issue for Eoin in his early 20s and part of his mission now is to educate on how CBD usage can be helpful to deal with conditions such as anxiety through natural and holistic methods. During Mental Health Week (15-21 May) Goodrays donated 100% of its online profits to mental health charity Mind, Tower Hamlets, which is a five minute walk from their offices.

That's the Ticket! Ticket makes its low alcohol debut with refreshing lemongrass beer

There was never any question, lemongrass would be the new heroic ingredient when Ticket launched its eagerly anticipated low alcohol lager; a fragrant, tropical grass admired for its welcome presence in Southeast Asian cuisine (broths, curries, marinades and even delicious tea infusions) yet perfectly adept at making the transition to flavourful, non-alcoholic beer.

Looking past its uniquely refreshing taste and distinct uplifting benefits, lemongrass has an enviable reputation for amplifying the wow factor in other 'hero' ingredients, which in Ticket's case is saffron.

As with its pale ale before, Ticket is all about creating a meticulously crafted non-alcoholic beer that perfectly mirrors the tastes, aromas and mouthfeel associated with everyday beers, but at less than 0.5% ABV. 

Besides creating refreshing, well-rounded craft beers, Ticket's other priority is actively championing ingredients which have added health and wellness benefits.  Lemongrass is universally admired for tackling digestive issues (gastrointestinal problems) including cramps and gastric ulcers.

Faeghe Solemani, who is Ticket co-founder feels very strongly that its perfectly plausible for any well-balanced recipe to simultaneously champion great taste and functional benefits. Faeghe said: "Like saffron before it, lemongrass has a proud track record in medicinal & wellness circles; in this particular instance supporting good immune health and digestion.  

"It's a clean, lingering flavour and scent readily associated with far-flung holidays, full spread BBQs and lazy summery weekends, which is why we wanted to launch our feelgood lager at the very beginning of summer, not simply to provide greater non-alcoholic choice but also to show that we're anything but a one-way ticket."

T-cket.co.uk 

The RSP is £2.99.

Fishes without bones come to Tesco

It’s been the quest for UK fisheries for decades. Discovering a way to remove the tiny bones found in whole raw mackerel which is one of the most nutritious fish to eat.

Now Scottish fish supplier Nor Sea Foods Ltd have been able to develop a method to remove the tiny bones, and it's all due to a new state-of-the-art ‘pin boning’ machine.

The new boneless mackerel will be going on sale exclusively at Tesco stores all over the UK, and that'll be great news to the large number of shoppers who make it one of the most popular food fish species.

Tesco fish buyer Christarose Maphosa said: “This achievement by Nor Sea Foods Ltd is a huge breakthrough as it makes one of the most nutritious of all fish varieties more attractive to shoppers.

“We're aware some people aren’t confident about preparing or eating certain types of fish because of the matter of the bones, so the launch of these boneless mackerel fillets is a real game-changer, we believe.” 

Nor Sea Foods Ltd, a family owned and operated business based in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, has supplied Tesco with UK wild caught, oil-rich mackerel and herring for in excess of 30 years. 

The business is situated in the heart of the UK’s North Atlantic mackerel sector, close to the rich fishing grounds around the coast of Scotland where the fleet operates.

The company doesn’t want to reveal too much about the new pin boning machine because the information is a closely-guarded trade secret. 

Nor Sea Foods Ltd Group Sales and Marketing manager Philip Andrade said: “Boneless natural mackerel hasn’t been available in shops until now because it is not an easy matter to achieve. 

“Mackerel fillets are relatively small and the tiny bones run right down the centre of the fish. As a result removing them by hand is a very slow, costly process and there has not been a viable way to do it mechanically until now.

“Nor Sea Foods Ltd has partnered closely with experts over the last several years to find a solution that has allowed us to offer Tesco this first to market opportunity.” 

Both Nor Sea and Tesco believe this new boneless option could encourage more people to include this healthy variety of fish in their diets.

Tesco nutritionist Laura Farrell pointed out: “Mackerel is an oily fish. Generally we are recommended to consume two portions of fish each week and one of these portions should be oily fish. The UK adult population (19-64 years) on average only consumes 56g per week oily fish – so well under one portion per week.” 

Tesco ‘Two Boneless Mackerel Fillets’ launch this week in more than 800 stores across the UK. They will cost £2.25 for a pack of two. 

DC Brau Penn Quarter Porter

DC Brau Penn Quarter Porter is described as a "robust porter.

It is brewed and canned in Washington DC by the DC Brau Brewing company LLC.

It is made using barley, oats, hops yeast and water. 

It has an alcohol level by vol of 5.5%, so is a medium strength porter.

How does it taste? Absolutely delicious! Yes, it's a very decent porter which is robust and very well-rounded. It leaves a very pleasant aftertaste. 

Penn Quarter is a part of Washington DC famed for being the home of Ford's Theatre, where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

Where did I find this delicious porter? In my local Home Bargains branch! Home Bargains happens to stock an interesting range of bottled and canned beers and ales. Even more than some wine and spirit merchants.

It cost £1.49, I recall.

Coming to a Show Near You: Foodie Dates Announced for Great Taste Markets 2023

Food lovers all over our nation will be able to experience an array of award-winning artisan food and drink products.

The Guild of Fine Food is absolutely thrilled to present its 2023 Great Taste Market line up to kick off the summer season.

Great Taste is the world's largest food and drink accreditation scheme where every product is judged on taste alone, the Great Taste Markets showcase a curated selection of the award-winning products, and their producers, at some of the best shows and events across the country.

From sumptuous savoury foods and exquisite confectioneries and impressive drinks, the markets promise an extraordinary, flavour-filled experience for all visitors.

The markets offer a unique opportunity for food enthusiasts from all corners of the UK to:

Experience some of the best tasting food and drink products in the whole world.

Purchase directly from the talented artisans who are behind the products.

Engage with the makers and discover how to best serve and savour their exceptional creations at home.

The confirmed dates and venues for the Great Taste Markets 2023 are:

Taste of Summer: Regent's Park, London, 14 – 18 June 2023 https://london.tastefestivals.com

Scottish Game Fair: Scone Palace, Perth, 30 June – 2 July 2023 https://www.scottishfair.com

Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival: Surrey, 4 – 9 July 2023 https://rb.gy/l7v1y 

RHS Flower Show: Tatton Park, Cheshire, 19 - 23 July 2023 https://rb.gy/qronb

The Game Fair: Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, 28 - 30 July 2023 https://thegamefair.org

The Big Feastival: Oxfordshire, 25 - 27 August 2023 https://thebigfeastival.com

Carfest South: Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire, 25 - 27 August 2023 https://carfest.org

Welsh Game Fair: Vaynol Estate, Bangor, 9 - 10 September 2023 https://www.welshgamefair.org

Malvern Autumn Show: Three Counties Show, Worcestershire, 22 - 24 September 2023 https://www.malvernautumn.co.uk

Spirit of Christmas: Olympia, London, 30 October - 5 November 2023 https://www.spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk

Country Living Christmas Fair: Business Design Centre, London, 8 – 12 November 2023 https://www.countrylivingfair.com

Woman & Home Christmas Live: County Hall, London, 18 November 2023 https://www.womanandhomechristmas.com

Christabel Cairns, who has the enviable job ar operations & marketing director at the Guild of Fine Food, says: "This is our biggest year yet for Great Taste Markets. We will be showing Great Taste food and drink products to a potential 600,000 visitors. We really just can't wait for food and drink lovers across the country to have the chance to taste some Great Taste winners for themselves.

“The markets are a brilliant opportunity not only to try and buy award-winning products, but also to meet the makers themselves. Every product is not only delicious but has a story behind it and what better way to find out than by meeting and supporting the producers in person?”

Be sure to mark your calendars for the Great Taste Markets and experience the exceptional craftsmanship and unrivalled flavours that have earned these artisans their well-deserved Great Taste accolades.

So, exactly what is Great Taste? 

It's recognised as a stamp of excellence and actively sought out by food lovers and retailers alike, Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, values taste above all else. All products in the line-up for judging are blind-tasted: every product is removed from its packaging so it can't be identified, before entering a robust, layered judging process.

New for this year and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Great Taste, the Guild of Fine Food offered 50 micro producers the chance to put one new product in front of its expert panel of Great Taste judges for free. 

The bursary was aimed at micro producers who have never entered Great Taste before or have a new product, which has never been entered before. The bursary panel, which consisted of Adrian Boswell, buyer at Selfridges, industry commentator and food entrepreneur Mallika Basu, and PR & marketing expert AJ Sharp, selected the 50 most eligible entries.

(These look very exciting events to look forward to!)

Swedish-Owned Sussex Wine Wins Trophy in Top Wine Competition

Busi Jacobsohn is an English Sparkling Wine producer in the High Weald of East Sussex, and is making dazzling wines and all from estate-grown fruit.

Today the debut vintage of Busi Jacobsohn's Blanc de Noirs 2018 has been announced as the winner of the Sparkling Wine Trophy at the Independent English Wine Awards (IEWA) 2023.

Chair of the judges and Master of Wine Liam Steevenson MW described it as "Absolutely stunning and perhaps the best fizz from anywhere I have tasted this year."

The Blanc de Noirs 2018 also performed brilliantly at this year's International Wine Challenge, bagging another Gold medal there.

Estate owner Susannah Busi Jacobsohn, when asked how this achievement ranked on a scale of 1 to 10, said simply "11"!

Susanna and her husband Douglas Jacobsohn planted the vineyard in 2015, and since then have been winning many awards for their wines. But this latest trophy is the greatest to date.

Busi Jacobsohn Blanc de Noirs 2018  £48, is available at Yapp.co.uk, Harvey Nichols, busijacobsohn.com.

You'll go Bananas for Pukpip frozen bananas in chocolate

Challenger brand Pukpip has announced its Real Frozen Bananas Dipped in Chocolate are now stocked in Whole Foods Market, just in time for ice cream season. 

Pukpip is challenging the traditional ice cream category by tapping into the rise of permissible yet indulgent frozen fruit snacks. Breaking the mould for frozen treats, Pukpip's frozen bananas are a real fruit alternative to traditional ice cream.

“We believe that Whole Foods Market is the perfect fit for Pukpip, as we strive to help people eat more fruit in ways that are fun, delicious and convenient, providing indulgent fruit snacks that don't compromise on taste,” explains Zara Godfrey, who is the MD at Pukpip.

The London retailer which specialises in responsibly sourced, high-quality foods has added Pukpip's first two products, Milk and Dark Chocolate Dipped Bananas to the frozen section in all seven of it stores.

To celebrate the launch into Whole Foods Market, Pukpip has invested in an eye-catching window display in the Flagship Kensington High Street store, plus OOH media in July around prime London locations to drive awareness of the product listing.

Zara went on to say: “Nine out of ten of us are looking to add more fruit into our diet, and we want to make it easy, fun, and delicious. The creaminess of a frozen banana combined with the tasty, smooth satisfying chocolate makes for an irresistible treat that consumers will be keen to get their hands on this summer. Real fruit, that's indulgent so consumers can feel good about treating themselves!”

Obviously, Pukpip's bananas are responsibly sourced and freshly frozen at source in the coastal region of Ecuador. Using bananas rejected from export due to minor blemishes on their skin, because they're the wrong shape or size, or simply because there are too many on a bunch; Pukpip rescues these wonky bananas that would otherwise be wasted, helping them find their true calling as tasty, chocolate-covered treats. The banana peels are recycled back into the ecosystem.

Pukpip Real Frozen Bananas are only 152-161 calories each, contain no artificial and are ideally positioned as a snack, treat or dessert. The Milk Chocolate Dipped Bananas have picked up a 2022 Great Taste Award and the Dark Chocolate Dipped Bananas are Vegan Certified. Pukpip's frozen bananas are available to retail in milk chocolate and dark chocolate, in multipacks of 3 at an RRP of £3.99

Want to become a stockist? Need to learn  more? Email hello@pukpip.com or visit www.pukpip.com. Follow @hellopukpip for news and updates.

(This is making me feel hungry for frozen bananas in chocolate!) 

Celebrate Dad With a Taste of Cornwall This Father's Day

Trewithen Dairy Cornish Lager and Pasty Hamper /  www.trewithendairy.co.uk / RRP £29.49

Each hamper contains x4 scones, 114g Cornish clotted cream, 227g strawberry jam, x40 Cornish tea bags, 2 large Cornish pasties and 2 bottles of Korev - Cornish lager. 

Father's Day is just around the corner and what better way to show the love and appreciation for the father figure/s in your life than with a thoughtfully curated Cornish food and drink hamper? 

Trewithen Dairy's 'Cornish Lager and Pasty Hamper' captures the very essence of Cornwall. From the moment they unwrap it, the very fortunate recipients will be transported to the rugged coastlines and warm-hearted communities that define this most remarkable region. All hampers come carefully packaged and have the option of adding a personalised gift message and a selection of optional extras, too.

Suppliers have been carefully selected to ensure each of the elements represents a true taste of Cornwall. The centrepiece of this gift is the legendary Cornish clotted cream to be smothered over fluffy scones and strawberry jam. This rich and indulgent treat has revered PDO status to ensure that each pot is of highest quality, produced by traditional methods in Cornwall. And is produced nowhere else! Trewithen Dairy uses only milk from Cornish herds, which is gently heated and left to cool slowly, allowing the cream to rise to the surface to form the famous thick, golden crust. 

No classic cream tea would be complete without a cup of tea and this hamper includes premium Cornish Tea bags to indulge in a moment or two of relaxation. 

For those who appreciate a well-crafted brew, there's two bottles of Korev from St Austell Brewery. Crisp and refreshing, dad can sit back and savour the pride and craftsmanship from the Duchy.

The hamper features two authentic Cornish pasties - a true Cornish delicacy loved by locals and visitors alike. 

Trewithen Dairy's Cornish Lager and Pasty Hamper is available for order via the website www.trewithendairy.co.uk/shop and can be scheduled for Father's Day delivery. 

Waitrose launches the first ever UK own-label Fairtrade and organic coconut oil

Not only is it a fantastic product, it offers support to Sri Lankan farmers to invest in their farms, communities and their local environment.

The Waitrose Duchy Organic product also provides a donation to The Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund.

Waitrose has launched their new own label Coconut Oil, which is both organic and Fairtrade, the first of its kind in the UK.

This coconut oil is produced by the Sonmic Organic and Natural Farmers’ Association (SONFA). They are a small producer organisation which is based in Sri Lanka, and it prioritises organic farming with a strong focus on protecting their local environment. 

Fairtrade works with the coconut farmers to ensure they receive a fairer price for their crops, and the Fairtrade producer networks offer farmers training in environmentally friendly pest control techniques, biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.

Tom Shiel, who has, in my opinion, the extremely enviable job as Waitrose Buyer, said: “We're very pleased and proud to be the first UK supermarket to launch a 100% Fairtrade own label Coconut Oil. 

"Alongside great quality and taste, the product supports Sri Lankan farmers who produce the coconut oil to invest in their farms, communities and to protect their environment.”

Kerrina Thorogood, Partnerships Director at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “We applaud Waitrose and SONFA for their collaborative efforts to bring this brilliant new Fairtrade product to UK supermarket shelves.

"Thanks to the Fairtrade Premiums that farmers receive for their certified products, SONFA have completed projects such as repairing the village’s community centre, which was also a pre-school for the farmers’ children. Previously the children weren’t able to attend classes on rainy days due to poor insulation and leaks. However, the building and school equipment have now been renovated, and they can afford to pay the salary of the preschool teacher. We’re delighted that Waitrose’s new partnership with SONFA will allow them to contribute to this vital work.”

Sales from Waitrose Duchy Organic provide a donation to The Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund. Since 2009, customers have helped Waitrose raise in excess of £30 million for good causes, supporting a wide range of projects and communities.

Sonmic Organic and Natural Farmers’ Association (SONFA) is a small producer organisation in Sri Lanka which produces coconuts among other products. They employ some 100 permanent paid employees who are disadvantaged by global trade. In 2018 SONFA became Fairtrade certified, and since then producers have been striving to improve their livelihoods and their aspirations or a better, brighter future.

SONFA prioritise organic farming, with a strong focus on protection of the environment through sustainable development. All the farms adhere to the Fairtrade Standards to ensure that all produce is of the highest quality and fit for both global and local markets.

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/shop/browse/groceries/organic_shop/duchy