Kraft debuts first plant-based mac and cheese; Ocean Spray unveils shelf-stable, zero sugar juices; Rogue River Beer brewed with world champion blue cheese.
EAT. DRINK. DAIRY.
ENERGY WITH THE FLAVORS OF A TROPICAL SUNRISE
Sports nutrition brand Optimum Nutrition, a part of Glanbia Performance Nutrition, debuted four limited-edition flavors across the brand's Gold Standard 100% Whey and AMIN.O. ENERGY product lines. All four options provide Downers Grove, Ill.-based Optimum Nutrition’s standard of quality — and taste — and are designed to delight in Fruity Cereal, Cinnamon Roll, Tropical Sunrise and Citrus Spritz flavors, the company states. The new Gold Standard 100% Whey Fruity Cereal and Cinnamon Roll flavors provide 24 grams of protein, offering consumers a delicious way to reach their daily protein goals and fuel their post-workout or support muscle recovery. Designed to be mixed with milk, water or incorporated in a smoothie, the powders can be enjoyed first thing in the morning, before or after exercise. Additionally, for a pre- or post-exercise energy boost, AMIN.O. ENERGY Tropical Sunrise and AMIN.O. ENERGY Citrus Spritz provides 100 milligrams of caffeine from natural sources, green tea and coffee bean extract, for energy and focus along with five grams of amino acids and electrolytes for hydration. Gold Standard 100% Whey is available at GNC, the Vitamin Shoppe and online in a 2-pound, 30-serving tub for $49.99, while AMIN.O. Energy is offered in an 8.5-ounce, 30-serving tub for $29.99.
A PLANT-BASED MAC & CHEESE
In a joint venture to ditch the cheese, The Kraft Heinz Co. and TheNotCompany Inc., debuted the first plant-based mac and cheese in the United States. Available in Original and White Cheddar flavors, KRAFT NotMac&Cheese is rolling out on shelves nationwide through early 2024. The company notes that “…The Kraft Heinz Not Co. aims to address consumers’ plant-based preferences and evolving needs with the debut of two great-tasting plant-based mac & cheese offerings.” KRAFT NotMac&Cheese joins two other plant-based offerings: KRAFT NotCheese Slices and NotMayo. Kraft Heinz Not CEO Lucho Lopez-May notes that the plant-based offerings are designed to taste “like the real thing,” but don’t require people to drastically change their eating habits. “NotCo brings its revolutionary AI technology that has a proven track record in creating mouthwatering plant-based foods to KRAFT — the beloved mac & cheese brand that sells over a million boxes every day,” Lopez-May states. “Leveraging the strengths of both companies, we’re offering the creamy and comforting experience KRAFT Mac & Cheese fans have loved for over 85 years — without the dairy.” Looking ahead, the company plans to scale into several more categories as it begins international expansion this year.
BRING ON THE BUTTERY CASHEWS & COCONUT CREAM
Elma, N.Y.-based Elmhurst 1925 announced the expansion of its flagship unsweetened plant milk line with its newest offering: Milked Coconuts & Cashews. Delicately crafted with whole buttery cashews and rich coconut cream, the unsweetened blend delivers an unmatched balanced flavor and creamy texture, the company states. The Unsweetened Coconut Cashew Blend pairs seamlessly with any coffee roast, smoothie concoction, or dish that traditionally requires a dairy or cream base and can be used in lattes, cappuccinos and both hot and iced coffee. The clean-label milk contains just four ingredients, offers 3 grams of plant-based protein per serving, and is free from gums and other added fillers. Like all Elmhurst products, the Coconut & Cashew blend also is Non-GMO Product Verified, gluten-free and dairy-free. The company uses a unique HydroRelease method starting with water. The process separates the components of a nut, grain or seed before reassembling them as a creamy, beverage-ready emulsion, maintaining the full nutrition of the source ingredient without added gums or emulsifiers, the company states. Unsweetened Coconut & Cashew is available at Sprouts, The Fresh Market, Roundy’s and other natural and traditional grocers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $6.99 for a 32-ounce recyclable bottle.
CRACKING THE DAIRY-FREE CHEESE CODE
Daiya Foods Inc., the Burnaby, British Columbia dairy-alternative food company that “cracked the code” on dairy-free cheese, announced that product reformulations stemming from its multi-million-dollar investment in fermentation technology have hit store shelves across the country. Featuring the new Daiya Oat Cream blend, the proprietary cultured ingredient is now the key component across Daiya’s dairy-free shreds, slices, blocks and sticks — promising consumers an incredible dairy-like melt and deliciously balanced cheesy flavor, the company says. Not only does Daiya’s reformulated cheese products melt like dairy cheese, the products are Non-GMO Project Verified and made with glyphosate-free and certified gluten-free oats, the company adds. The dairy-free and allergy-friendly cheese also are free from most common allergens including dairy, gluten, soy, wheat, eggs and peanuts. Founded in 2008 by Andre Kroecher and Greg Blake, Daiya's 100% plant-based, vegan products were among the first to be distributed in the U.S.
SHELF-STABLE JUICE MADE WITH STEVIA
Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., the agricultural cooperative owned by roughly 700 farmer families, unveiled Ocean Spray Zero Sugar Juice Drink, the first beverage from Ocean Spray with bold flavor, 0g of sugar, and no artificial sweeteners, according to the Middleborough, Mass.-based company. The zero-sugar juice drink is available in two flavors, Ocean Spray's Cranberry flavor and Mixed Berry, a new flavor to the brand's beverage portfolio. Made with real fruit juice and sweetened with stevia, Zero Sugar is an excellent source of vitamin C. The new juice drinks join other "better-for-you" juice drinks that debuted in 2023, including Immunity Cranberry Blueberry Acai, Immunity Orange Mango, and Ocean Spray Revitalize Cranberry Pineapple Juice Drink. The shelf-stable Ocean Spray Zero Sugar Juice Drinks are available nationwide at grocery stores and Walmart for a suggested retail price of $3.71 per 64-ounce container.
INNOVATION ABOUNDS WITH BLUE CHEESE IN BEER
Crux Fermentation Project and Rogue Creamery, which celebrated 90 years of cheesemaking in 2023, debuted a new, limited-edition, lambic-style ale brewed at Rogue Creamery’s cheesemaking facility using the yeast and flora of the cheesemaker’s world champion blue cheese, Rogue River Blue. Two years ago, Crux Fermentation Project, a craft brewery in Bend, Ore., approached the Southern Oregon artisan cheesemaker to invite it to take part in the 6th rendition of Crux’s “Coolship” fermentation program. The brewers and cheesemakers devised a plan to brew a beer inoculated with Rogue Creamery’s famous Rogue River Blue cheese. Crux reveals that the “Coolship” is a trailer-like portable tank that can be driven anywhere, allowing the Crux team to brew beer on the road, in the open air, embracing the natural flora occurring in various locations. After filling their Coolship portable vat with uninoculated beer wort, the Crux team drove the Coolship 200 miles to Rogue Creamery in January 2022. There, Rogue River Blue cheese was added to the beer wort before going back to the brewing facility where it was aged in oak barrels for nearly two years.
DON’T FORGET THE CINNAMON-Y GOODNESS
Cleveland, Ohio-based Pierre’s Ice Cream invites consumers to meet the company’s newest winter flavor — Cinnamon Ice Cream. The recipe blends just the right amount of ground cinnamon for the perfect taste and is a delightful complement to any winter dessert, the company states. For example, the company suggests you can drop a scoop atop a slice of warm apple pie à la mode and savor the cinnamon-y goodness as it slowly melts into the crust. Or, enjoy the flavor with fresh-baked or grilled apples or pears or grab the blender and make everyone a round of Cinnamon Apple Milkshakes. Consumers can also combine with Pierre’s French Vanilla and Pumpkin Pie ice creams drizzled with caramel sauce and candied pecans for a decadent sundae. Pierre’s Cinnamon Ice Cream, along with winter-inspired Pumpkin Pie and Peppermint Stick, are available while supplies last in Pierre’s familiar red 1.5-quart ice cream containers for a suggested retail price of $4.99-$6.99.
SPREADABLE BUTTERS, SALT STICKS BRING ON THE FLAVOR
Danish Creamery, a 127-year-old Dublin, Calif.-based butter company, has expanded its premium product portfolio with two "firsts" for the category: European Style Spreadable Butters with Extra Virgin Oils and European Style Butter Specialty Salt Sticks. The new additions to the premium butter brand's portfolio are rolling out in sync with the holiday season's arrival. A subsidiary of California Dairies Inc., the creamery’s spreadable butters are made with the highest-quality butter, cold-extracted extra virgin oils and a touch of offering consumers an elevated eating experience in a softer, more spreadable form, the company says. The butter is available in Extra Virgin Avocado Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The flavored artisanal butter sticks, boasting 82% butterfat, come in three varieties: Garlic Salt, Pink Himalayan Salt and Rosemary Salt. The Danish Creamery European Style Spreadable Butter is available in 6.5-ounce tubs for a suggested retail price of $4.49, while the Specialty Salt Sticks are offered in 8-ounce individual sticks for a suggested retail price of $2.99.
All images were provided by their respective companies. Used with permission. Company links available in the Editorial Index.
