UNLIMEAT launches Korean-inspired plant-based dessert brand bbang

© UNLIMEAT

Products & Launches

UNLIMEAT Launches Korean-Inspired Plant-Based Dessert Brand in the US

Korean plant-based innovator UNLIMEAT has announced the launch of a new dessert brand called bbang in the US. Two plant-based, Korean-inspired products will initially be introduced — Oat Cream Buns and Hotteok. The Oat Cream Buns are a dairy-free version of the milk cream bun that has gone viral on social media, and feature a soft, chewy texture with an oat cream filling. The Hotteok is a traditional Korean street dessert featuring a blend of almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and sunflower seeds. Both can be microwaved or heated on a stovetop to provide a “bakery-fresh experience”. The new brand builds on the success of UNLIMEAT’s gluten-free mochi cakes, which are available at over 300 Giant Foods stores. It is a strategic expansion into the Korean bakery …

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Kind Kones

© Kind Kones

Investments & Finance

Kind Kones Secures Funding from Epic Angels to Accelerate Growth in Asia and Middle East

Singapore-based plant-based frozen dessert brand Kind Kones has secured new funding from Epic Angels, a female-only investment collective active in Asia Pacific and Latin America. The investment round also attracted participation from angel investors with backgrounds in food and beverage retail. Eyeing Dubai and beyond Kind Kones plans to use the capital to grow its presence in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, specifically targeting markets in Dubai. Growth will be pursued through a combination of company-operated stores and franchised locations. Kind Kones was founded by Serina and Ishpal Bajaj, who began by creating small batches of ice cream using nut and coconut milk. The company now offers a portfolio of more than 150 flavors, all free from dairy, eggs, and artificial ingredients. Some examples …

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JELL-O

© The Kraft Heinz Company

Products & Launches

Kraft Heinz Debuts JELL-O Oat Milk Chocolate Pudding, Its First Plant-Based Dessert Offering

Kraft Heinz has introduced its first plant-based dessert, JELL-O Oat Milk Chocolate Pudding, marking the brand’s entry into the plant-based food sector. This new product, which is lactose-free, vegan, and made with oat milk, is now available in 4-packs at retailers across the US. The pudding, which mimics the same creamy texture and rich chocolate flavor JELL-O is known for, is crafted to meet the growing demand for dairy-free alternatives. Oat milk was chosen as the base due to its creamy consistency and mild flavor. The chocolate variety pays homage to the original flavor introduced by JELL-O in the 1930s. The company states that, given pudding’s popularity in American households and the growing prevalence of milk allergies among both children and adults, the new product …

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Desserts and snacks made with fungal protein

Image courtesy of Ausolan

Fungi, Mushrooms & Mycelium

Spanish Retailer Eroski Develops Desserts Made With Fungal Protein as Part of Successful Collaboration

Spanish supermarket chain Eroski has partnered with catering leader Ausolan, mycelium specialist Innomy, and the Leartiker Technology Centre to develop desserts and snack bars made with fungal protein. Called Delifungus, the project has recently been completed following a year of research. It has explored how protein extracted from fungal biomass could be used to produce delicious, balanced, and accessible plant-based foods. Eroski contributed its knowledge of consumers and market trends, while Ausolan used its experience in industrial production to facilitate the scalability of the processes developed. Meanwhile, Innomy helped to create innovative formulations to optimize the nutritional and functional profile of the products. Sustainability is a key part of the project, since fungal proteins are said to require less water, space, and resources than other …

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Urban Dessert Lab

Courtney and Zan © Urban Dessert Lab

Sweets & Snacks

“World’s First Oat-Milk Ice Crème Shoppe,” Urban Dessert Lab, Debuts New Plant-Based Desserts

Urban Dessert Lab (UDL), the “World’s First Oat-Milk Ice Crème™ Shoppe,” has announced the expansion of its dessert menu with the introduction of several new plant-based desserts. The shop, owned by sisters Courtney Blagrove and Zan B.R., has gained recognition for its unique dessert offerings and was recently named one of ESPN’s Champion Black Businesses for 2024. The first UDL location opened in New York City’s Lower East Side in 2020. The shop quickly garnered attention from food enthusiasts and celebrities, leading to high demand for additional locations. Responding to customer requests, the founders chose West Hollywood, Los Angeles, for their second establishment, which opened in February of this year.  New summer menu UDL’s new summer menu includes a variety of plant-based, gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, …

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Smoocht

©Smoocht

Market & Trends

Global Vegan Dessert Market to Be Worth $6.2Bn by 2030

According to a report by USD Analytics, the global vegan dessert market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 10.5% through to 2030, increasing in value from $3.4 billion to $6.2 billion. Plant-based diets are increasingly seen as a healthy and sustainable option, and this is leading to rising demand for vegan desserts. Growth will be further increased by advancements in food technology, which are improving the quality of plant-based products. Vegan desserts are also becoming more accessible, with supermarkets and restaurants offering more options. Additionally, the use of specialty ingredients is helping to set plant-based desserts apart from conventional ones; for example, producers may include functional ingredients and superfoods such as matcha, turmeric, and hemp, or healthier sweeteners like date syrup, maple syrup, …

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McDougalls vegan jelly

© Premier Foods

Sweets & Snacks

Premier Foods Launches Vegan Jelly for Food Service Under McDougalls Brand

British food manufacturer Premier Foods has launched gelatin-free vegan jelly under its baking brand, McDougalls. The jelly is available for food service in three flavours — strawberry, raspberry, and orange. While conventional jelly is prepared using a combination of boiling and cold water, Premier Foods’ vegan alternative only requires boiling water, making it simpler to prepare. The jelly sets within two hours and has been certified by the Vegan Society. “McDougalls vegan jelly not only provides caterers and chefs with an inclusive dessert option, reducing the need for multiple products, but its sugar levels also make it suitable for schools in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales,” said Sarah Robb, Foodservice Marketing Manager at Premier Foods Foodservice. “Vegan jelly, being such a versatile ingredient, can be …

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&JOY

© &JOY

Facts & Figures

&JOY: Vegan Desserts From Ukraine With No Gluten or Refined Sugar

&JOY is a Ukrainian company offering plant-based desserts made from nuts, seeds, and fruit. The brand’s entire range is free of gluten and refined sugar. A huge selection of over 100 products is available, such as cakes, cheesecakes, candy bars, cookies, and brownies. Examples include the strawberry yogurt cake, peanut nougat bar, cherry brownies, and passionfruit cheesecake. &JOY has partnerships with more than 120 coffee shops in Kyiv and the wider region, and the desserts are also available direct-to-consumer. The brand claims to have sold over 110,000kg of products in the past four years. The desserts can be ordered from &JOY’s website. They are shipped frozen and can be kept in the freezer for up to 180 days. Plant-based Ukrainian brands Many Ukrainian plant-based producers …

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The Coconut Collaborative

© The Coconut Collaborative

Tourism & Travel

Choc Pots by The Coconut Collaborative Launch on All Virgin Atlantic Flights

Plant-based chocolate desserts made by UK brand The Coconut Collaborative are now available on all Virgin Atlantic flights. Described as “little pots of rich chocolate ganache”, the coconut-based desserts contain 100 calories per pot and are free of gluten and palm oil. The products received a Great Taste award in 2017 and are said to be made with ethically-sourced ingredients. Previously, the choc pots have launched at the major supermarket chains Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Tesco, and Waitrose. They are also available in salted caramel flavor. Yogurts and desserts The Coconut Collaborative offers a range of plant-based yogurts and desserts, including a whippable cream alternative that was served at last year’s Wimbledon tennis championships. In 2020, the company raised $7 million in a Series A round …

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