NEW FOOD

Artichoke Water Delivers Antioxidants and Fresh Taste

After two years of product development and nutritional research to leverage the nourishing benefits of artichokes, Arty Water Co., Newport Beach, Calif., introduces Arty Water. This first-of-its-kind drink is made from fresh California artichokes, apple, lemon and spearmint, with a touch of monk fruit for sweetness. Consumers don’t typically consume artichoke leaves, which are a concentrated source of antioxidants, such as silymarin and chlorogenic acid, as well as vitamins and minerals. The company patented a process to use whole artichoke, enabling the drink to deliver these important nutrients to consumers.

“We have put tremendous passion and effort into bringing this nutritious, multifunctional water to the marketplace, and believe it will become a major global player in the premium water beverage category for both adults and children seeking great-tasting alternatives to coconut water and fruit juices,” says CEO Howard Ketelson. “When we started the company, working out of a homemade test lab kitchen and sampling the product at cafes and fitness clubs, we immediately knew the product had a significant ‘wow’ factor.”

Arty Water comes in single-serve 8-oz. bottles, with a serving containing 40 calories.

Probiotics is the New Cream and Sugar for Coffee

 

Growing awareness of probiotic health benefits converges with widespread demand for coffee to inspire the latest new products from Copper Moon Coffee LLC, Lafayette, Ind. The branded and private-label specialty coffee roaster markets two forms of coffee enhanced with the patented probiotic Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086, or simply GBI-30. This probiotic is a spore-forming organism that is highly stable and can remain viable through processing, shelf life and the low pH of stomach acid. The effectiveness of GBI-30 is linked to its naturally occurring layer of organic material — the spore -- that protects the genetic core of the bacteria. Potential health benefits include supporting immune health and digestive health.

The most recent offering from the company is designed for single-cup brewers. Copper Moon French Vanilla Cappuccino InstaKups uses K-Cup technology to provide a freshly brewed cup of java with probiotics. This product joins two instant stick coffees introduced last year. Copper Moon Probiotic Enriched Instant Coffee comes in Colombian and French Vanilla flavors. Both product lines are available at select retailers across the country, as well as online at the company’s website and Amazon.com. A carton of six single-serve sticks costs $4.99. The InstaKups come in boxes of 12 for $8.99.

Fresh Cheese from Stonyfield Bridges Gap into Yogurt

 

Londonderry, N.H.-based Stonyfield is rolling out Petite Crème to select markets across the country. Formulated with the taste and nutritional preferences of today’s Greek yogurt consumer in mind, Petite Crème is actually a fresh cheese, as it is made with cheese cultures rather than traditional yogurt cultures. It has a thick yet silky texture and a slightly mild tangy flavor. It’s a low-fat, high-protein fresh cheese best described as somewhere between crème fraiche, which resembles sour cream, and fromage blanc, which is thicker than crème fraiche but not as thick as ricotta.

Petite Crème comes in seven flavors: Belle Blueberry, La Vie en Strawberry, Mon Cherry Amour, Ooh LaLa Peach, Plain, Strawberry-Banana Menage and Vive La Vanilla. Each cup contains 140 calories, 2.5g of fat and 10g of protein. To convey the premium nature of the product, the organic yogurt leader has ditched the typical farm motifs and bright colors on its packages and is using a sleek, sophisticated black design on the 5.3-oz. single-serve cups. The suggested retail price is $1.89.

 

Organic Pierogi Created for Hungry Home-Bound Travellers

 

Polska Foods, a San Francisco-based pierogi company founded in 2011, now sells its previously limited-distribution organic pierogi online in response to consumer demand. According to the company, Polish cuisine is booming as the result of increased travel to the country since the fall of communism. Polish culinary vacations are a hot new travel trend and those same travelers come back to the States looking to recreate their culinary experience. This includes the desire for gourmet, premium pierogi that melts in your mouth and is made with fresh, wholesome ingredients.

With a full year of research behind the product, Polska Foods’ secret Polish family recipe uses only local, organic farmers for the freshest ingredients possible. There are five varieties, all packed with flavor using lots of fresh herbs, caramelized onions, roasted garlic and spices. The most traditional flavor, Potato & Cheese, comes in white or whole wheat dough. The other varieties -- Mushroom Cabbage, Savory Beef & Pork and Spinach & Feta -- use a traditional white flour dough. To maintain nutrient value and quality, the pierogi are flash-frozen fresh and not pre-cooked. Consumers must boil before serving.

 

Veggie Fries Have A Dose of Veggies in Every Fry

 

It was not that long ago that Bostoners Dave and Cristina Peters and their three children set out to make a better-for-you French fry using potatoes, vegetables and healthful oils. They created the first batches of Veggie Fries in their home kitchen and today are revolutionizing the $30 billion dollar frozen French fry category by providing consumers with a healthier alternative to America’s beloved fry.

“I’ve always had a passion for food and taken a genuine interest in the packaged foods space,” says Dave Peters, founder and CEO. “About three years ago, I recognized there was an incredible opportunity to fill a gap that existed within the frozen French fry section of my local grocery store. I realized that no other brand in the space was attempting to fulfill consumer demand and desire for a delicious fry that also delivered real, vegetable nutrition. And that is how Veggie Fries was born.”

Providing the crispy outside and fluffy inside expected of a French fry, Veggie Fries comes in four varieties: Broccoli, Carrot, Chickpea & Red Pepper and Tuscan Bean & Herb. The suggested retail price is $4.49 per 14-oz. bag.

 

Candy Merges with Nutrition in Cow Candy’s Snack Cheeses

 

Just in time for back to school, Sun Prairie, Wis.-based Cow Candy introduces its namesake product to the retail marketplace. Created by cheese industry veteran Danyel O’Connor, with inspiration from her son, nieces and nephews, new Cow Candy Fruit Flavored Snack Cheese resembles string cheese, but with elements of fun and flavor. The colorful snack comes in whimsical candy flavors, but without all of the sugar found in candy, nor any of the artificial flavors or colors.

Made with all-natural Wisconsin cheese, Cow Candy tempts little taste buds with the fruity flavors of Fruit Punch, Grape, Green Apple, Orange and Strawberry. It’s a fun snacking option for kids of all ages. Each 0.75-oz. stick contains 75 calories and 5g of protein. They are available in 8-, 10- and 12-count retail packs and 16-count club store packs. Price points vary by pack size, with the price per stick tending to range between 55 and 60 cents.

foodprocessing.com