Welcome to this week's edition of GRATE,
your weekly source of food innovation & new product launches! As the Summer beckons, so too does the desire for a soft drink, but get ready to sip on innovation. There is a fizzy revolution of "new age sodas" on the horizon. With the soft drinks market valued at an astonishing €780 million in Ireland alone, it's clear that the thirst for innovation knows no bounds. I've picked a few of my favourites to discuss this week, each a testament to the marriage of flavour and wellness. From living sodas to energy elixirs infused with plant protein and fibre, these concoctions redefine what it means to drink with purpose.
As always, enjoy the read and drop me a line with any "fizzy" thoughts!!
Annie x
BOTANIC REVIVAL FIRE TONIC
Botanic Revival is a business from Cobh creating Natural Health products. Their Fire Tonic is a powerful elixir of root botanicals cold pressed with raw Apple Cider Vinegar. It is made in small batches by finely chopping the ingredients and soaking in raw ACV in order to extract the many beneficial compounds present. The team follow a traditional recipe that calls for Horseradish, Ginger, Garlic, Onion, Turmeric, Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper , Raw Honey and of course Raw, unfiltered, undiluted , unpasteurised Apple Cider Vinegar with 'the mother'. Great for warding off colds and flu, it provides anti-inflammatory effects while also bringing the many anecdotal benefits of Raw ACV. Increased recovery speed from physical training are also noticeable. The daily dosage is15ml (1 tbsp) from a shot glass, alternatively it can be diluted with juice or water as desired.
FHIRST
FHIRST Living Soda is an all natural, zero sugar gut-lovin' living soda that combines the benefits of both probiotics and prebiotics. It's the 'fhirst' of its kind globally, or so it claims. FHIRST is all about delivering better-for-you sodas that promote gut, immune and brain health and that are big on taste. Each 330ml can of FHIRST contains 2 billion living probiotic cultures, microencapsulated for stability and allowing for controlled release in the gut. No sugars, no sweeteners, 100% natural. In addition, each can also contains 5g prebiotic plant fibre and added zinc.
VUUM
Traditional protein drinks are gritty, thick, and sandy, with heavy flavours like chocolate and vanilla. VUUM is the first bubbly protein drink, with a light and fruity taste. VUUM is focused on empowering their community through real nutrition, implementing cutting edge technologies to deliver highest quality, great tasting products with fully functional best-for-you ingredients. VUUM Technologies believes that what we eat has a real effect on how we live our lives and how we feel. Tested & created by real people, VUUM was developed after years of formulation. With a striking & eye-catching austere silver cans, it's sure to catch the attention and satisfy the thirst of many!
YORKSHIRE TEA KOMBUCHA
An interesting move by one of the most iconic tea brands in the UK! HOLOS kombucha have been working in partnership with Yorkshire Tea to create an exciting new kombucha offering. Yorkshire Tea Kombucha’ is a tangy, lightly-sparkling chilled drink with a gentle fermented kick. Made using traditional small-batch brewing methods and all-natural ingredients Together, they’ve created two limited-edition batches of Yorkshire Tea Kombucha – The ‘Original’ flavour highlights the depth, complexity and orange notes of Yorkshire Tea, whilst the ‘Ginger’ flavour delivers extra warmth and spice.
HOPTONIC
Hoptonic, the sparkling drink with a difference, was founded by two friends who shared a passion for sustainability and exceptional home-brewed teas. Sustainability remains at the core of their operations and they carefully source only the finest ingredients from regenerative farms. Their mission was to create a guilt-free beverage that had no calories, sugar, or artificial sweeteners while delivering an amazing taste experience. By carefully selecting the finest natural ingredients, Hoptonic has become the go-to choice for health-conscious consumers looking for a refreshing and flavourful drink that does not compromise on taste or quality.
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