Global trends

Prepared Foods, Feb, 2003

A cream for cooking is getting the split-pot treatment in a bid to position the product as extra fresh. New in Sweden from Skane Mejerier is ViktVaktarna. It comprises a plain cream for cooking with a separate lid compartment holding the savory herb & garlic mix to be blended into the cream before use. It has been launched under the Weight Watchers label.

Tequila continues to attempt to make inroads in the flavored alcoholic beverages (FABs) market. The latest tequila flavored variety has been added to the Red Square Reloaded range in the U.K. from Halewood International. Containing 5.5% ABV, the product is made with a blend of vodka and tequila and also is infused with ginseng extracts. Another interesting spirit, aguardiente (a strong liqueur) also is attempting to make forays into the segment. It has been used in Brazil to create 5l Ice from New Age Bebidas e Alimentos for Muller Bebidas. The drink contains distilled alcohol and sugar cane aguardiente, and comes in passion fruit, lemon, tangerine, and lime flavors.

Despite a slow consumer acceptance of iced tea in the U.K., companies continue to attempt to lure them to the drink. The latest iced tea launch in the country is Indian Chai Tea from Spring Fine Foods. Described as a lightly sparkling drink made with a blend of fruit and tea, it comes in flavors such as banana, lemon, peach and grapefruit. Interestingly, the drinks are packaged in elegant, transparent glass bottles, as used for premium packaged spirit drinks.

The Stork vegetable fat brand from Unilever, renowned for its uses in cooking, is extending into a new area--chilled desserts. New in South Africa from Unifoods (Unilever) is Stork-branded Double-licious, a range of chilled liquid desserts that can be whipped to create a mousse. It also can be used to make a creamy sauce (once heated) or perform as a topping for cakes. Varieties are Creamy Vanilla and Creamy Chocolate.