SHELF TALK
Ross & Ross eyes vegan market with new plant-based spice rubs By Lauren Phillips
Ross & Ross, the brand well-known for its bacon and salmon homemade curing kits, is hoping to appeal to the growing number of vegans and flexitarians with a new range of plant-based products. The new range consists of five veggie rub varieties: tandooristyle; umami; rich & smoky; hot chilli; and sweet & spicy. Each come in 50g jars with an RRP of £3.50. A veggie roast dinner kit has also been introduced with an RRP of £21 in the hope of catering to the vegan consumer at Christmas. Co-founder Ross Bearman told FFD that the new lines were more about fulfilling demand than a cynical decision to capitalise on the vegan trend. “We kept getting asked if our current ranges were vegan friendly,” said Bearman. “In short, yes they are. But they have got animals on the boxes and our products have always been intended for use on meat with our British Roasts and British BBQ ranges.” Pitching them more towards flexitarians than committed vegans, Bearman added that even BBQ enthusiasts – which the Cotswold-based business initially cater to – are changing their
Cuzena launches fava bean dip to challenge hummus By Lauren Phillips
A trio of fava bean-based dips have become the first to launch to the UK market in a bid to challenge the dominance of hummus in the dip category. Cuzena launched the dips, also known as “madamous” (meaning “mashed beans” in Arabic), in three flavours: garlic & coriander, caramelised onion and Fiery Chilli. Each come in 170g pots (RRP £2.95) and are available from the brand’s new distributor Cotswold Fayre. Speaking to FFD, founder Shadia Al Hili described the dips as “denser, darker and earthier” than chickpea-based rivals. They can be consumed
attitude to vegetables. “We’ve seen a lot of change in the BBQ market,” he said. “Previously, anyone who mentioned a vegetable in those environments would be shut down. Now people are more open to it. And chargrilled seasonal veg from the BBQ can be very delicious.” The new lines follow the news that Bearman and co-founder Ross Whitmill have decided to split the business. Whitmill will now manage the catering side with Bearman heading up products and gifts under Ross & Ross Gifts. “We both wanted to do different things and see if we could do it differently,” said Bearman, adding that current stockists are unlikely to feel the effect of the change. “The products stay the same, the branding stays the same, and the original emails are still running, although I do have a new email address,” he said. “Our plan is to run both sides of the business as two separate companies and see how it goes for a year but what we may need after that is a brand refresh.” rossandrossfood.co.uk
cold as a dip or hot with couscous or jacket potato. “We estimate over 75% of Brits are dip buyers, so the opportunity for these challengers to hummus and salsa are significant,” said Al Hili. “Our dips are examples of classic Arabian cooking – simple, flavoursome food that is not only delicious but healthy. That ticks lots of boxes for today’s consumer, especially as they’re also perfect for a free-from or vegan diet.”
A combination of British fava beans, onions, garlic, tomatoes and coriander, each dip variety blends Arabic and British flavours, with the caramelised onion variety putting a spin on the popular hummus flavour, by using dates instead of muscovado sugar. “There is no such thing as caramelised onion madamous in Arabian cuisine, but this flavour is to address British palates,” she said. cuzena.com
WHAT’S NEW Soft drink brand Franklin & Sons has announced a new sub-brand called Sister’s Soda. The new brand has launched with an initial range of three sparkling waters with alternative flavours: guava & lime, pomegranate & hibiscus and pineapple & cardamom. The drinks are packaged in 250ml colourful cans with an RRP of £1.10. franklinandsons.co.uk Two Cumbrian producers have collaborated with each other to launch a gin-infused fruit cake. Ginger Bakers and Shed 1 Distillery joined forces last month to produce the gin, clementine & cranberry fruit cake in time for the festive season. Trade price £6.50 (RRP £9), 500g. gingerbakers.co.uk / shed1distillery.com Village Dairy (also known as Llaeth Y Llan) has created a new 0% range of bio live yoghurt. The range comes in two flavours – raspberry & strawberry and mango & passionfruit – in 130g pots (RRP 65p) and 4 x 130g multipacks (RRP £2.49). villagedairy.co.uk Pork scratching brand Mr Trotters has added a glutenfree variety to its range. Consisting of strips of collar rind, Skinny Dips are said to taste more like crispy bacon. A dipping pot of Bramley apple sauce is included in each 60g bag. mrtrotters.com Newcomer Pri’s Puddings has entered the healthy snacks market with its “pocket-sized pies”. The vegan, glutenfree pies come in three flavours – pecan, peanut and choco – and bolder, fullyrecyclable packaging. RRP of £1.89, 25g. prispuddings.co.uk Vol.20 Issue 10 | December 2019
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