Food producers. Please DO NOT use pea protein in your products if you can avoid it

Why are we at That's Food and Drink asking food producers to avoid using pea protein in your products?

Firstly, yes we recognise that pea protein is a very important source of protein and is very good for people who are on vegetarian or vegan diets and for ecological reasons, too.

However! This evening I was having a drink of potato-based milk. It was OK, it sort of looked like cow's milk, had a reasonably good mouthfeel but there was something that I was not enjoying. Why? The taste! Because it had an under taste of weak, wishy-washy pea soup.

I took the carton out of the 'fridge and yes, listed right there was pea protein.

But that, dear readers, is the problem with anything that has pea protein in. It always tastes of pea soup, sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker.

I like milk on my breakfast cereals. Cow's milk, ewe's milk, oat milk are all tasting reasonably fine on my breakfast cereal. But if I wouldn't put weak pea soup on my breakfast cereal I'm certainly not going to pour pea protein milk on them!

Pea protein belongs in savoury items including pea soup. But please not in milk and not in flour. 

There are alternatives that you could get your development kitchen chefs and food scientists to use, instead, including: Hemp protein, Pumpkin Seed Protein, Brown Rice Protein, Soy Protein, Sunflower Seed Protein, Sacha Inchi Protein, Chia Protein and others, too.

(Image courtesy of StockSnap and Pixabay)

Asda earns 86 product awards in Free From Awards

Asda was awarded a very impressive 86 product awards at this year’s Free From Food Awards including 4 Golds, 27 Silvers, 36 Bronze, 19 Commended as well as the top accolade of the night, Free From Retailer of the Year.

The awards mark a celebration of Asda’s own brand Free From products, which strive to offer great quality and value for all customers. 

Judges were reportedly wowed by Asda’s impressive range, stating: “Between their vegan and their free from ranges Asda now offer a really impressive selection of foods for the allergic community - and at really competitive prices while still maintaining the quality of their products. A massive step towards including those on free from diets in the general community.”

Asda Free From, Chow Mein Stir-Fry Sauce

Free From: Gluten Free, Soya Free

Retail: £0.50

Asda’s Free From, Chow Mein Stir-Fry Sauce, with a hint of garlic and warming ginger is bound to spice up a mid-week dinner. Awarded Gold, this product was described by the judging panel as: “Lovely colour, aroma, consistency & flavour profile. A great balance of flavours with the perfect spice heat at the end. Very impressive to be gluten free, sesame free and soya free. And the price point is equally impressive”.

Asda Free From, Salad Cream

Free From: Egg Free

Retail: £1.10

The perfect condiment to accompany a summer salad in this hot weather, Asda Free From Salad Cream was awarded Gold by the expert panel, described as:

“This tastes just like the real thing. Impressive that this delivers the same flavour and consistency whilst being gluten free, milk free and egg free! Great price. A credible & accessible alternative”.

Asda Free From Extra Special, 8 Sicilian Orange & Belgian Dark Chocolate Cookies

Free From: Gluten

Retail: £2.00

Looking to brighten up your coffee break? made using an all-butter recipe and studded with Belgian chocolate this gold awarded product really is an extra special treat!

Asda Extra Special, 12 Classic Pork Chipolata Sausages

Free From: Gluten Free

Retail: £3.25

The perfect banger on your BBQ, full breakfast or roll to go, Asda’s Extra Special Classic Pork Chipolata sausages are gold awarded by Free From Food Awards panel. As well as great quality, customers can also pick up a bargain, two packs for only £5

Asda Free From, Vanilla Flavoured Ice Cream

Free From: Gluten, Milk and Soya

Retail: £2.20

Everyone can cool down this summer and enjoy Asda Free From Vanilla Flavour Ice Cream.

 OMV! Deliciously Vegan By Asda,  Burger Mayo

Free From: Egg

Retail: £1.50

The perfect accompaniment to BBQ season, this 100% vegan burger mayo with flavours of gherkin, American style mustard and tomato impressed judges and won Silver at the Free From Food Awards. It’s sure to be a winner with all guests at summer gatherings.

OMV! Deliciously Vegan By Asda Saag Masala Cooking Sauce

Retail: £2.00

Everyone can enjoy curry night with OMV! Deliciously Vegan Saag Masala Cooking Sauce. A tomato, spinach and creamed coconut sauce with a blend of spices, guests will be left wanting more!

Asda Free From 4 White Rolls

Free From: Gluten, Milk and Egg

Retail: £1.75

BBQ, picnics or mid-week lunch, enjoy all the flavour without missing out with Silver awarded Free From White Rolls.

Shop in store and online at asda.com.

(That's Food and Drink says: "It's good to know that major retailers are working so hard to provide good quality Free From Foods. My wife needs to avoid gluten and soya, so we are aware of the Free From struggle. Well done, Asda!)

That sounds sweet! Sainsbury’s Nectar Prices now available on fresh fruit and vegetables

Following the launch of Nectar Prices earlier this year, Sainsbury’s is now expanding its loyalty programme by introducing offers on fresh produce for the first time ever.

Nectar’s 18 million users can now access a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables at a lower price, helping them make big savings when shopping in Sainsbury’s supermarkets or online.

As of now, customers can get great Nectar Prices on a variety of popular fresh fruit and veg items including by Sainsbury’s Strawberries (usually £2.25, Nectar Price £1.75), by Sainsbury's Easy Peelers (usually £1.35, Nectar Price £1), Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Vittoria Cherry Vine Tomatoes (usually £2.25, Nectar Price £1.75) and by Sainsbury’s Medium Ripe & Ready Avocados (usually £1.60, Nectar Price £1.20).

Customers will also be able to enjoy up to half price on selected products like household staples such as by Sainsbury’s Best of British apples (usually £1.70, Nectar Price 85p) and Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Jersey Royal Potatoes (usually £3, Nectar Price £1.50).

For the first time ever, Nectar Prices will also be available on a selection of branded ready meals like Wasabi Chicken Katsu Curry with Rice (usually £4.25, Nectar Price £3.75) and Charlie Bigham's Lasagne (usually £9.50, Nectar Price £7). 

Sainsbury’s own-brand ready meals including Taste the Difference and by Sainsbury’s products will also be included with great offers on family favourites like Taste the Difference Fish Pie (usually £4.25, Nectar Price £3.75), by Sainsbury’s Chicken Tikka Masala (usually £4.25, Nectar Price £3.75) and by Sainsbury’s Stonebaked Margherita Pizza (usually £3.50, Nectar Price £1.75).

As a result of the expansion into two new categories Sainsbury’s now has over 2,800 products included in Nectar Prices, helping millions of customers to save money whenever they shop with the retailer. Since the launch of Nectar Prices in April, shoppers have saved over £83 million, with customers saving an average of £3.20 each and every time they shop.

Sam Burston, Director of Nectar & Loyalty at Sainsbury’s, said: “We’re always looking for new ways to provide great value to our customers all-year round, helping customers make their money go further. With new offers now available on fresh produce and ready meals, shoppers can now access lower prices on a wider range of essential everyday items. We’re delighted that Nectar Prices has proven popular with our customers so far, and we’ll continue to expand it further in the future.”

Already a Nectar customer? All existing Nectar customers need to do to benefit from Nectar Prices is scan their app or swipe their card at checkout to save. Customers shopping online will have their discounts applied automatically if their Nectar and Sainsbury’s accounts are linked.

Want to become a Nectar customer? Shoppers can sign up to Nectar Prices by joining on the Nectar app, online at www.nectar.com, or by picking up a Nectar card in store.

Tesco backs healthy eating

Tesco has announced its voluntary commitment to not sell HFSS products through volume-led promotions, as part of its ongoing plans to help customers eat a more healthy diet.

Following the Government announcement that restrictions on multibuy deals on foods high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) are to be delayed further until 2025, Tesco confirmed it will continue to keep volume-led promotions on HFSS products off its shelves. This will support its commitment to make Tesco the easiest place for customers to shop for affordable, healthy, sustainable food.​

While Tesco will continue to offer value on products across the entire store, this move means customers will not have to purchase more HFSS products than they need to access great value. 

A spokesman said: "With household budgets stretched, it’s more important than ever that Tesco invests in competitive prices. In response, Tesco has further increased Aldi Price Match to around 700 products, price-locked over 1,000 products at Low Everyday Prices and extended Clubcard Prices to over 8,000 lines.

"Also, we’ve made it even easier for customers to access healthy and affordable food through our Better Baskets campaign, which helps remove price as a barrier to making healthier, more sustainable choices. The majority of products highlighted as part of the Better Basket’s promotion will be at Clubcard Prices, Low Everyday Prices or in Aldi Price Match items".

Today’s announcement is part of its broader commitment to support customers to lead healthier and more sustainable lives and achieve the goal to boost sales of healthy products to 65% as a proportion of total sales by 2025. 

It's consistent with the work Tesco has been doing for many years, including Reformulation of its Own Brand ranges which has contributed to the removal of 71 billion calories so far, putting it well on track to delivering its 100 billion calorie reduction ambition by 2025. 

Tesco Group Chief Product Officer Ashwin Prasad said: “ Tesco will continue to offer great value on products across the entire store, so customers won’t have to purchase more food than they need to access great value. Our mission is to make Tesco the easiest place to shop for a healthy, more sustainable basket – while keeping the cost of the weekly shop in check. We know that customers want to eat a more healthy, sustainable diet, but without having to stretch the weekly shopping budget and we are really proud to be leading the way in maintaining our commitment”

www.tesco.com

Price cuts in Morrisons

In line with a number of other supermarket chains, Morrisons has announced cuts in the prices of nearly 50 food items, with an average price cut by over 25% 

As part of what it's dubbing "a rolling wave of price cuts to help with the cost of living", Morrisons has announced a new round of reductions, the sixth so far this year, which will apply to products in all its supermarkets and includes summer favourites, cupboard fillers and fresh essentials.

47 high-volume products have been cut in price by an average of over 25%, with the new prices being held for a minimum of eight weeks to help customers get more for their money.  Morrisons has invested £26 million in today's cuts to deliver market leading prices on key products and reinforce its commitment to saving customers money wherever possible. 

The price cuts include fresh items such as mince, tomatoes and butter, cupboard staples such as squash and cereal and picnic classics like pitta breads and scotch eggs.

Last month, Morrisons reduced or held the price of a further 1,000 products which will remain locked low until mid July. Offers have also been applied to fuel in recent weeks with customers being able to get 5p off every litre after spending £35 in store or online. 

As well as cutting the prices on products, Morrisons recently relaunched its More Card loyalty programme to allow customers to collect points on fuel and selected products in store which can be converted into ‘Morrisons Fivers’ and spent in store or online.  Morrisons programme of market-leading exclusive offers, which launched last October for loyalty card members, also remains a key feature of the new scheme.  

Rachel Eyre, who is the Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at Morrisons, said: “Providing great quality products at affordable prices for our customers is a key priority at Morrisons. Our steady flow of deep and broad price cutting programmes, together with our new More Card loyalty scheme, are helping customers save money on their weekly shop. Today’s price cuts include picnic items to help our customers make the most of the warm weather and we’ve not forgotten the fridge and cupboard essentials either.”

www.morrisons.com

Armed Forces Day special deal from Morrisons

Morrisons has announced it's offering servicemen and women and veterans 50% off in cafés nationwide for Armed Forces Day. 

On Saturday June 24th, anyone who comes into a Morrisons café dressed in their armed forces uniform or with a valid form of ID or a medal/badge can receive 50% off all hot meals, hot drinks and cakes. 

Available for one day only, this heroic deal is to thank the thousands of military personnel who have gone above and beyond for their country. 

Military personnel can enjoy hot menu favourites including a Roast Beef or Half Roast Chicken Dinner for just £3.74, Fish and Chips for £3.49 or Bangers and Mash for just £2.49.  

To make the deal even sweeter, those in the forces and veterans can choose from a selection of cakes such as Victoria Sponge or Chocolate Fudge cake for just £1.44.

Chris Strong, Morrisons Café Buying Manager, says: “We’re honoured to be offering those currently serving in the armed forces and veterans 50% off all hot meals, hot drinks and cakes in our cafés as a thank you for all that they have done and continue to do for us all.”

Customers who scan their Morrisons More card at the till will also receive 600 points when spending £6 or more in a Morrisons café.

Morrisons Armed Forces Day deal will be available in all Morrisons cafés on Saturday June 24th and can't be used with any other offer or promotion. 

Something different for single malt fans. Morris Single Malt Australian Whisky

Lovers of single malts can indulge in a taste of Australian sunshine with Morris Australian Single Malt Whisky this summer, launching with two exceptional core expressions: Morris Whisky - Signature and Morris Whisky - Muscat Barrel. 

Crafted using 100% Australian only ingredients, then finished in award-winning Morris fortified wine barrels producing an extraordinary and unique flavour, typically found in fine aged spirits.

Crafted in Victoria, at their world-famed distillery Morris Whisky is the creation of the Morris Family, recognised and famed for making award-winning fortified wines since 1859, regarded as one the best fortified wine producers in the entire world. 

The Morris distillery boasts an impressive history, housing an original 1930's hybrid copper-pot and column still, blending tradition with cutting edge distilling techniques.

What truly sets Morris Whisky apart is their eagerness and commitment to excellence in aging to create a distinct style of Australian single malt whisky. The whiskies use100% premium Australian malted barley, distilled with pure water from the Snowy Mountains, matured in wine barrels sourced from their very own family-owned Barossa and Coonawarra wineries which are prepared to a specific method by the Morris' own private cooperage. Finally, Morris whiskies are skilfully matured in carefully selected award-winning Morris fortified wine barrels.

A team of highly regarded whisky experts united to craft this distinct style of Australian single malt whisky in 2016. Morris enlisted the support of John McDougall, one of the world's most renowned whisky makers, with previous experience with Balvenie, Laphroaig and Springbank, as well as the late Dr Jim Swan, described as the 'Einstein of whisky' for his technical expertise in wood selection and barrel preparation.

Darren Peck (ex-Diageo) is the Morris Head Distiller and has worked under the tutelage of McDougall for the last seven years to craft the whiskies. 

Morris Australian Single Malt Signature Whisky:

The Signature Whisky is finished in a combination of Morris fortified barrels. The Signature expression shows bright topaz hues on appearance which open a door to orchard fruit profiles, macerated black cherry and biscuit notes balancing the zest of marmalade jam, lingering cocoa and dark-berry flavours.

It's distilled in an original 1930s Whitehill hybrid copper-pot and column still. Aged in a combination of French and American oak ex-wine barrels and finished in premium Morris Fortified barrels.

Morris Whisky Highball – Signature Serve

45ml Morris Whisky Signature Malt 

Topped with sparkling water 

Garnish with a lemon wedge

Morris Australian Single Malt Muscat Barrel Whisky:

The premium Muscat Barrel Whisky is finished in rare Morris Muscat barrels, that gift remarkable flavours. Creamy mouthful packed full of rich dark fruits and sweet malt notes, which give way to sweet vanilla and cocoa interspersed with cinnamon spice. The Whisky is matured in a combination of French and American oak ex-wine barrels plus finished on rare Morris Muscat barrels, previously used to create multi-award-winning Muscat.

Morris Whiskies offer an unrivalled Australian Whisky experience, showcasing authentic character and a true expression of Australia.

www.morriswhisky.com

Morris Australian Single Malt Signature Whisky, 40% ABV 700ml, RRP: £51.00 

Available from Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange and Ocado

Morris Australian Single Malt Muscat Barrel Whisky, 46%ABV, 700ml, RRP: £74.00 

Available from Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange and Ocado

Add an Unforgettable, Finishing Touch to Your Wedding Day by Creating a Bespoke Spirit With Salcombe Distilling Co.

What better way could there be to celebrate your nuptials than with your very own bespoke spirits, created by you and the one you love ready for your wedding day?

Dedicated to craftsmanship and sustainability, the famous Salcombe Distilling Co. is absolutely thrilled to be able to announce the introduction of an exciting opportunity for couples to create their own bespoke spirits, adding a unique and personal touch to their wedding day. 

The award-winning Salcombe Gin School and newly launched Salcombe Rum School provides an immersive and interactive space for couples to craft their very own unique spirit with flavours that reflect their individual tastes and preferences. From seasonal flavours to clever naming conventions, your chosen drink is guaranteed to add a unique layer of personalisation to your big day. 

First, create your bespoke drink.

With expert guidance from the expert, knowledgeable team, you'll both embark on a hands-on journey, taking charge of a beautiful fully-working mini copper pot still to develop and distil your very own 70cl bottle of gin or rum at Salcombe Distilling Co.'s waterside distillery in Salcombe. 

During the experience, you'll be able to unleash your creativity, creating your very own special recipe by choosing from an extensive range of botanicals that are specially and carefully sourced for their quality and uniqueness, or get imaginative and experiment by bringing your own. 

During distillation, couples will be able to sample and refine their unique creation before naming and bottling their specially made and chosen drink. 

The finished product is then presented in a beautifully crafted presentation box, making it an exquisite memento to cherish and share on their wedding day. 

A Gin School lesson is three hours long and are typically available on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons at 2pm and Saturday mornings at 10am. Salcombe Rum School runs every Thursday from 2pm-5pm. A Gin or Rum School lesson for two people sharing a still is £160. 

Now, let's get wedding ready.

Ready for your special day? Salcombe Distilling Co. offers a service to distil more of your bespoke gin or rum.  If you're a former guest of the schools, simply visit salcombegin.com and fill out the online form listing your chosen botanicals and quantities noted during your previous Salcombe School visit. 

Salcombe Distilling Co.'s team of expert distillers will then re-create two 70cl bottles of gin or rum (from £95). If you're looking to make your day really special, get in touch with their team to discuss larger quantities.

By choosing Salcombe Distilling Co, you are not only embarking on a truly unique and memorable experience, you can indulge in exceptional quality whilst also supporting their commitment to ocean conservation and a cleaner planet.

For more information about Salcombe Gin School and Salcombe Rum School experiences you can call 01548 288 180, email customerservice@salcombedistilling.com or visit www.salcombegin.com.  

Drink Seedlip this Summer!

Join Seedlip this summer and savour and enjoy the unparalleled taste, indulge in the alluring botanicals, and create some delicious alcohol-free cocktails.

These will be great for BBQs and summer parties, for people who don't want to consume, or over-consume, alcohol.

So, what does Seedlip have on offer? There's Seedlip Spice 94, Seedlip Garden 108, and Seedlip Grove 42, and enjoy sophisticated summery cocktails without the booze!

You can buy Seedlip alcohol-free spirits on Amazon. But if you'd like someone else to create Seedlip cocktails for you, visit The Ivy, Bacchanalia, Sexy Fish, Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Public, Gatsby, Cottonopolis or New Century Kitchen.

Seedlip Grove 42 (0% ABV)

If a burst of zest and vibrancy is what you desire, look no further than Seedlip Grove 42. Crafted with a tantalizing blend of sun-ripened oranges, mandarins, and lemons, this invigorating nectar awakens the senses and brings forth a radiant burst of citrusy joy. Seedlip Grove 42 will be your trusted ally in making the most of the sunny days, infusing your summer with a delicious taste.

RRP: 70cl, £22*, ABV: 0%, Available at Amazon

Seedlip Spice 94 (0% ABV)

Seedlip Spice 94 boasts an enchanting fusion of warm, aromatic spices, beckons adventurers and connoisseurs alike to embark on a sensory journey. This refined alcohol-free spirit tantalizes the taste buds with the aromatic harmony of allspice berries, cardamom, and pepper, perfectly balanced to deliver a distinctive, full-bodied experience. So create a delicious cocktail with Seedlip Spice 94 this summer, and stir up your spirit of wanderlust.

RRP: 70cl, £22*, ABV: 0%, Available at Amazon

Seedlip Garden 108 (0% ABV)

For those seeking the essence of tranquillity and serenity, Seedlip Garden 108 beckons with its vibrant, herbaceous blend. Immerse yourself in the refreshing notes of hand-picked peas, rosemary, and thyme, masterfully crafted to deliver a crisp and invigorating sensation. This revitalizing alcohol-free spirit is the ultimate companion for moments of relaxation, be it basking in the sun or enjoying a laid-back picnic.

RRP: 70cl, £22*, ABV: 0%, Available at Amazon Amazon

Please be aware, prices may vary, check with the relevant retailer.

https://www.seedlipdrinks.com

Incidentally, That's Food and Drink first became aware of Seedlip via this company https://wisebartender.co.uk, who also stock the range.

Reduce Your Bills By Up To £500 Per Year - Hard water and the little known trick to reducing your energy bills

With inflation high, many people are wondering what they can do to reduce their household bills. 

For 60% of the UK, there's a little known trick which can cut energy bills immediately and for the next 30+ years, and it comes down to solving one simple problem in the home: hard water. Hard water affects millions of homes in the UK and while you may not think it has any effect on your energy consumption, it really does.

For many, the limescale caused by hard water is simply an irritation and another minor issue in the home. Dealing with blocked shower heads, unsightly scale on your taps and in your kettle, and cleaning soap scum are relatively low on most people’s list of priorities, especially when many of us are dealing with escalating prices and inflation. However, the by-products of hard water are causing more harm than you could ever imagine, and costing you money in the process.

Treating hard water can save you money in your home by reducing energy consumption, increasing the lifespan of appliances, and minimising the need for aggressive cleaning products.

So, how does hard water increase energy bills?

Higher temperatures cause limescale to form more readily, meaning heating elements in expensive equipment such as your boiler, dishwasher and washing machine are especially susceptible to limescale build-up. For every 1mm of limescale on a heating element the amount of energy required to heat water increases by 7-10%. 

Just look inside your kettle to see how much limescale build-up there is – we’re willing to bet it’s more than 1mm if you live in a hard water area. And, if like many homes you have just 3mm of limescale built up on your heating elements, the cost of your energy to heat your hot water can be as much as 25% higher than they should be. For as long as your hard water remains untreated, limescale will continue to accumulate and bills will continue to increase.

Eventually this build up will also damage your appliances. In hard water areas you can expect to replace equipment such as your boiler twice as often as someone in a soft water area. So not only are your bills going up throughout the lifespan of this equipment, but you can expect to undertake expensive replacements and repairs more often as well.

How can you treat your hard water?

Your hard water treatment options can be put into three categories: Water Softeners, Water Conditioners and Scale Inhibitors. They all work in different ways and with varying results, so it’s important you do your research before making a decision.

In a nutshell, here are the differences:

Water Softeners – These large units use ion exchange and need power and regular salt top-ups to remain effective. Users often install a separate drinking water tap to avoid consuming the salt-softened water.

Cost - £299 to £1,800

Lifespan – 10 to 20 years

Water Conditioners – These in-line devices treat water as it enters the home and require no chemicals, salt or power. Water treated in this way is safe for consumption and for your pets and plants.

Cost - £450 to £999

Lifespan – 4 to 30+ years

Scale Inhibitors – Scale inhibitors protect one piece of equipment, for a short period of time and are typically fitted when boilers are installed.

Cost – up to £120

Lifespan – 1 to 10 years

Halcyan Water Conditioner’s CEO, Samantha Mant, sums up the effects of hard water on energy bills: “As energy prices continue to soar, households are running out of ways to save money on their bills. However one way to achieve a more energy-efficient home is to install a sustainable water conditioner which can save households hundreds of pounds per year. 

"The Halcyan is a small device which takes under an hour to install and requires no additional cupboard space. It not only prevents future limescale but also removes existing limescale in your system. For a £770 investment, customers receive a 30 year warranty and can expect to achieve a potential saving of up to £15,000, on energy bills at today’s prices, savings on appliance maintenance and replacement, and a reduction in detergents required, over the lifetime of the device.”

Incidentally, That's Food and Drink is based in a very hard water area so are interested in anything that can help reduced limescale in our kitchen and our home. 

halcyanwater.com