New on-pack design elevates aged Cheddar cheeses; McConnell’s + See’s create custom-confection flavors; Califia Farms debuts first-ever organic plant-based milks.
EAT. DRINK. DAIRY.
DYNAMIC PAIRINGS WITH UNIQUE SEASONAL FLAVORS
Health-Ade Kombucha unveiled creative seasonal flavor pairings that not only support a happy and healthy gut, but are designed to bring the joy and nostalgia of a classic summer treat, the Los Angeles-based company says. Orange Creamsicle and Pomegranate Blueberry are a continuation of the brand's commitment to deliver the nostalgia flavors consumers want, since 73% of consumers surveyed by Food Ingredients say they enjoy limited-edition flavors. Last year, the company successfully launched Mango Lemonade. A perfect balance of sweet and tart, Orange Creamsicle has living probiotics and organic acids to keep one smiling from the inside out, the company says. Pomegranate Blueberry kombucha, an evolution of a long-time fan favorite, joined the brand's permanent line in May. The company notes that it continues to see success with innovative multi-fruit offerings like best-seller Passion Fruit Tangerine. Certified organic, non-GMO and gluten free, Health-Ade's Orange Creamsicle and Pomegranate Blueberry Kombucha are available nationwide at Whole Foods Market, Target and Albertsons for a suggested retail price of $3.99 for a 16-ounce glass bottle.
A RECIPE FOR CHEDDAR CHEESE GREATNESS
Sales of Organic Herd’s British Organic Dairy Co. (BODC) range of traditionally made organic Cheddars are being boosted further by the adoption of a new pack design and more evocative brand descriptors, the company says. The new packs, which are appearing on the cheese fixtures of over 1,200 stores across the United States, are being exclusively distributed by Trugman-Nash. The range consists of a rich yet smooth and buttery Sharp Cheddar; a bold and distinctive 12 month-aged Extra Sharp Cheddar; and a complex and robust Cheesemaker’s Reserve Cheddar, which is hand selected and extra aged. Additionally, BODC’s Organic’s range of Cheddars are made using milk from pasture raised and grass-fed organic cows who are part of Organic Herd, a British farmer-owned 100% organic cooperative. BODC cheeses are crafted based upon an authentic 100-year-old recipe, with the cheeses made and matured in the heart of the Somerset countryside, the birthplace of Cheddar cheese, BODC says.
HOME-CRAFTED ORGANIC GOODNESS
milkadamia expands its line of premium plant-based milks with its first USDA organic offering, Organic Artisan. The new shelf-stable Macadamia Nut Milk delivers the brand’s signature smooth taste and milky creaminess, and serves up the simplicity of a homemade nut milk in a convenient ready-to-drink format, the Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based company says. The launch comes on the heels of the continued evolution of consumer preferences around purchasing organic, as shown in the extensive consumer insights survey milkadamia commissioned. The survey revealed that “organic” is the most important claim for consumers, with 92% of premium purchasers opting for organic plant-based milk, and over three-quarters of them willing to pay premium for it. Additionally, of households who buy organic, over 60% feel organic is better and safer for them and for the environment. milkadamia’s Organic Artisan shelf-stable macadamia nut milk is available in more than 13,000 retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Kroger, Albertsons, Target, and online via Amazon for a suggested retail price of $6.99 for a 32-ounce Tetra Pak carton and on Amazon for $41.99/6-pack.
WINE & CHEESE PAIR PERFECTLY
Premium cheese brand Cracker Barrel Cheese has teamed up with Hampton Water Wine, Joel Gott Wines and renowned sommelier André Hueston Mack to celebrate summer with the brand’s award-winning cheeses expertly paired with equally exceptional wine, the company says. The simple, yet impactful food and beverage combinations serve to elevate dining, snacking and summer entertaining occasions, whether for a large summer holiday event or for an impromptu, intimate gathering, the Chicago-based company says. Cracker Barrel Cheese’s wide variety of cheese formats and flavors, including Extra Sharp Yellow Cheddar Blocks, Sharp White Cheddar Cracker Cuts and Vermont Sharp White Cheddar & Gouda Cubes, nicely complement the soft notes of strawberry and citrus found in Hampton Water Wine’s Rosé, as well as the red fruit flavors of Joel Gott Wine’s 815 Cabernet Sauvignon.
CELEBRATING THE FLAVORS OF SUMMER
Bridgewater, Pa.-based Bruster’s Real Ice Cream introduced a lineup of limited-time offerings, including the zesty refreshment of Key Lime Pie ice cream and the vibrant, tropical delight of non-dairy Mango Dragon Fruit sorbet, available exclusively at Bruster’s more than 200 locations nationwide. Key Lime Pie with delectable graham cracker swirls, offers a traditional twist on a classic favorite. Consumers can elevate their dessert game by trying this flavor in an ice cream pie with a graham crust. Mango Dragon Fruit sorbet is a sweet, tart, and totally refreshing non-dairy flavor that evokes a tropical paradise in every bite, the company states.
FAN-FAVORITE FLAVORS IN VARIETY PACK
For the first time, Babybel, manufactured by Chicago-based Bel Brands USA, is introducing a Variety Pack that features fan-favorite flavors — Original, White Cheddar and Monterey Jack. Available in an 18-count net, the assortment includes eight Original cheeses offering the classic mild and creamy taste, five smooth Monterey Jack cheeses with a tangy twist, and five White Cheddar cheeses that have a hint of sharp flavor. Cheese fans can enjoy the 100% real cheese goodness from the Babybel Variety Pack, with each flavor containing more than 4g of protein per serving and are a good source of calcium, making it a great option for any snacking occasion. The Babybel Variety Pack is available nationwide at such retailers as Walmart, Whole Foods Market, Kroger, Stop N Shop and Meijer for a suggested retail price of $11.29 for an 18-count net.
A DELECTABLE, CRAVEABLE COLLABORATION
Two iconic Southern California heritage brands with more than 175 years combined history are debuting four delectable ice cream flavors that merge beloved See’s Candies pieces with McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream’s house-made artisan ice cream bases to create the ultimate custom-confection flavors for fans. Available for a limited time at all McConnell’s Scoop Shots and online for nationwide shipping, the flavors are: Vanilla with California Brittle, with See’s buttery almond brittle covered in rich, dark chocolate generously sprinkled in McConnell’s classic, full-flavored R.R. Lochhead Vanilla Bean ice cream; Coffee with Molasses Chips features a mash-up of See’s dark and milk chocolate-coated molasses honeycomb wafers, bathed in medium-roast, coffee-infused milk and cream; Chocolate with Polar Bear Paws, with buttery caramel and salt-roasted peanuts, a peanut butter swirl in Dutchman’s Chocolate ice cream; and Banana Cream with Toffee-ettes feature ripe bananas, pureed into milk and cream, a salted caramel swirl, and handfuls of roasted almonds, embedded in rich, Danish butter toffee, enrobed in See’s creamy, milk chocolate and rolled in even more crunchy almonds.
BRAND REINVENTS TEA TIME
Uncle Matt’s Organic, purveyor of organic orange juice, is reinventing tea time with the launch of three ready-to-drink (RTD) refrigerated brewed black tea varieties which are craft brewed in small batches using reverse osmosis filtered water, the Clermont, Fla.-based company says. The new product line features three varieties: Uncle Matt’s Organic Brewed Unsweet Tea, a completely guilt-free option with zero calories and zero sugar brewed from black tea leaves sourced from India and Africa that yields a delightful, bold full-bodied tea experience with 60 mg of caffeine per serving; Uncle Matt’s Organic Brewed Sweet Tea, a classic taste of sweet tea with just 30 calories and 60 mg of caffeine per serving and 8 grams of sugar from a blend of organic blue agave and stevia leaf; and Uncle Matt’s Organic Half & Half Black Tea Lemonade, which blends real brewed organic tea and Uncle Matt’s Organic No Sugar Added Lemonade in a blended RTD beverage that contains 30 calories and 4g of organic sugar per serving, the company states. The new beverages are available nationwide in the refrigerated cases of Sprouts, Whole Foods Market and The Fresh Market for a suggested retail price of $3.49-$3.99 for a 52-ounce bottle.
DON’T PANIC, IT’S ORGANIC
Califia Farms adds to its plant-based portfolio with new Organic Coconutmilk and Organic Vanilla Almondmilk, which the Los Angeles-based company says are the perfect additions for coffee, cereal, cooking and baking. Like all products in Califia’s Simple & Organic line, these plant milks are USDA Certified Organic and made with simple ingredients and no gums or oils. Organic Coconutmilk is made with just water, organic coconut cream, organic coconut water and a touch of baking soda, while Organic Vanilla Almondmilk contains water, organic almonds, pure vanilla extract and sea salt. The new Organic Coconutmilk and Organic Vanilla Almondmilk are available at Whole Foods Market for a suggested retail price of $6.99 and $6.49, respectively, for a 48-ounce multi-serve bottle. Later this summer, Califia will also be introducing a shelf-stable version of its popular Organic Almondmilk, coming to Amazon in a 6-pack.
All images were provided by their respective companies. Used with permission. Company links available in the Editorial Index.
