Happy Chinese New Year 2022

Posted on February 10th, 2022

The year of the Tiger is here, and the 15-day celebrations have begun. Millions of people celebrate The Lunar New Year and is one of the largest festivities for many East and South East Asian communities.

Traditionally the celebration involves good food, impressive fireworks to scare away any evil spirits for the coming months and classic red lanterns to mark the occasion.

Like any celebration, food plays a major part in the Chinese New Year festival and there are dishes that are considered lucky and unlucky.

According to ancient legend, the number of dumplings you eat during the Chinese New Year predicts the amount of money you’ll make in the upcoming year (the more, the better). While pork is the most common dumpling filling, you can also opt for shrimp, chicken or vegetables. It’s completely forbidden to arrange dumplings in circles: dumplings have to be arranged in lines as a symbol of life actually going somewhere.

Oranges, kumquats, and tangerines are common Chinese New Year gifts because they’re believed to bring good luck and happiness. The Chinese words for “orange” and “tangerine” closely resemble the words for “luck” and “wealth.” The gold color of these fruits also symbolises prosperity.

To celebrate Chinese New Year, here at Dalziel Ingredients we have created a recipe which brings good luck as well as delivering on flavour. Ginger and garlic soup, topped with Szechuan peppercorn chicken steamed dim sum is the perfect celebratory dish.

We look forward to showcasing our range of flavour concepts for Snackex later this year, including a Chinese flavour that will be sure to get your taste buds tingling!

For our full Chinese New Year flavour concepts and ideas, contact our team.

For media enquiries, please email: mary.niven@dalziel.co.uk

 

Top Trends 2022

Posted on February 7th, 2022

Regulations Come Into Play

Consumers are more willing and open to a healthier lifestyle and in October this year we see the introduction to the HFSS guidelines. The High Fat, Salt and Sugar regulation will bring new challenges for our own development and customers; however, we have already begun development to fit within the new guidelines.

We understand the pressure put on our customers to reformulate existing and new recipes and can offer assistance. Whether you’re deciding to reduce salt, sugar and fat or add healthier ingredients including proteins and vegetables, Dalziel can help the challenges faced to ensure flavour and texture properties are still fulfilled.

The new legislation is being introduced by the Government, however, research suggests that 72% of consumers are actively looking for high fibre products, as well as 62% for gut health and 59% high protein (Kantar) therefore, we can also see this health drive from consumers.

 

Flexi-trend Set to Continue

Over the past 5 years, plant-based categories including plant-based dairy and meat alternatives have doubled in size (Kantar). Aldi has also reported a 250% increase in plant-based sales in 2021 compared with 2020 (Grocer).

However, for some, a vegan diet may seem restrictive, therefore some consumers lean towards a flexitarian lifestyle.

Mary Niven NPD and Marketing Technologist mentions, ‘the flexitarian saw a huge rise in 2021 and we’re predicting that this will continue to be one of the biggest food trends of 2022. Many consumers are conscious and open to incorporating more plant-based products into their diet and a flexitarian lifestyle makes that leap less drastic for someone who’s not quite ready to become vegetarian or vegan.

 

Demand for Provenance

48% of UK consumers say the COVID-19/coronavirus outbreak has made it more important to buy British produce (Mintel). Not only that, but consumers are now also more aware that certain ingredients and produce can offer better taste credentials when bought locally. Naming provenance on pack can also add value to products. We have a range of ingredients that can be used for this purpose including Pink Lady Apple, Suffolk Cider and English Truffle. If you wish to explore our full range of provenance ingredients, please contact us https://www.dalzielingredients.co.uk/contact-us/

To explore our Christmas 2022 review and trends, please contact our team.

For media enquiries, please email: mary.niven@dalziel.co.uk

 

Veganuary 2022

Posted on January 24th, 2022

The demand for plant-based is vastly growing, with flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans seeking plant-based alternatives to support an alternative and more sustainable lifestyle. Higher demand in this area has led to higher quality for taste and texture expanding innovation in retail and foodservice.

In 2021, more than 825 new vegan products and menus were launched for Veganuary and this year, we’ve seen this number continue to grow. From vegan sandwiches and pizzas to cheese and ice-cream, it’s now easier than ever to turn to a plant-based diet. For many, the challenge we face is overcoming the health halo that comes with plant-based products. Recently we have seen plant-based products in the spot-light regarding the nutritional content within the makeup of these products. Although meat replacers maybe a good source of nutrients such as fibre, some contain higher quantities of saturated fats and lack in levels of iron and protein.

NPD Manager, Ellen Brimacombe mentions, ‘there was a big boom in vegan launches two/three years ago, where everyone was trying to get a share in the vegan market. What we’re seeing now is a slower launch of products but much more variety in product types, for example, vegan beef wellingtons at Christmas, vegan soft cheese, vegan sliced meats, as well as an improved consumer experience.

Vegan development has come on in leaps and bounds over the recent years and you can see it in the launch of the products to market. Now that vegan products are more widely available, consumers are demanding a closer match to meat in terms of flavour, texture, and overall experience, so naturally we’re seeing improved development in the market. Research and development have allowed for the science of vegan products to be better understood.  The next step with vegan development will be to home in on the nutritional value of the products, so that they can better reflect a healthy diet’.

As the McPlant burger and Burger King vegan nuggets hit the market, we decided to put the products to the test. The McPlant consists of a Beyond Meat patty, layered with a slice of vegan cheese, iceberg lettuce, sliced tomato, dill pickle slices, onions, mustard, ketchup and vegan sandwich sauce, all surrounded by a classic McDonald’s sesame burger bun. The patty has flavour and tastes remarkably meat-like, without being overwhelmingly so. The texture is moist and has a slight chew as you’d expect. The cheese element lacked in salt and didn’t deliver on texture.

 

The Burger King vegan nuggets looked and felt exactly like chicken nuggets. The outside was crunchy and crispy, and the inside had deep savoury, umami chicken notes. Another brilliant vegan product new for 2022.

Dalziel Ingredients can offer great expertise in vegan development, from flavours to textures and everything in between. We have a great understanding of the functional ingredients needed to replicate meat, and the factory processes needed. We can offer flavour and functional packs for a range of products such as sausages, burgers, sliced meats, mayonnaise etc.

We keep up to date from attending many vegan webinars in recent years and also have a wide range of suppliers with expert knowledge on the topic and a variety of great ingredients to help us create great products.

Our development team are currently exploring the functionalities of varying fibre. Specific fibre’s can be used to create an excellent emulsion and firm bite to a plant-based product. Our aim is to create not only the layers of flavours to achieve a ‘meat’ flavour, but also the texture of meat. We also use fava bean protein to create a juicy mouthfeel when eating, as well as shea fat to give the juicy fatty mouthfeel of meat. Lots of varying flavours allow us to mask off taints of proteins, emulate a fatty mouthfeel, give a mouth-watering savoury flavour, and offer a top note in many flavours such as beef, chicken, pork, fish, duck.

For more information on Dalziel Ingredients vegan, vegetarian and plant-based capabilities, please contact your Dalziel account manager or contact us; https://www.dalzielingredients.co.uk/contact-us/

For media enquiries, please email: mary.niven@dalziel.co.uk

 

Sauce It This Christmas!

Posted on December 20th, 2021

Sauces add an extra ‘something’ to your festive celebrations, whether it’s sprucing up your party food, the finishing touch to your Christmas dinner or a sweet treat, condiments are an essential part of cooking and serving festive food.

A wide variety of dips sand sauces on a table adds another dimension of flavour to food and this Christmas we have seen a range of condiments on the supermarket shelves.

Sugar and Spice

Traditionally we’re used to dolloping a spoonful of cranberry sauce on our plate at this time of year, however, we’re seeing this condiment being elevated. From spiced Cranberry Ketchup to Cranberry and Chipotle sauce, these flavours really pack a punch.

Chilli has been a trending flavour for summer 2021 and this has continued into Christmas. Sainsburys have introduced a Tomato and Habanero chilli chutney, and a Cranberry and Chilli jam, the perfect pairing with creamy cheese. M&S have also launched a Chilli Jam with Piquillo Peppers, a perfect sweet and heat combo!

 

Merry Mayo

 

 

How about pimping up a classic mayo! We’re seeing sage and onion mayo’s as well as pig in blanket flavoured mayonnaise!

If you think they’re ‘out there’, how about Chocolate Orange Mayo!? A collaboration between Heinz and Terry’s has got people talking in the last couple of weeks. The mayonnaise is recommended on festive desserts or spread onto brioche, toast, crumpets, or pancakes. This comes after the popularity of all things chocolate orange this year! Our sauce team have worked on sweet mayonnaise, pairing dark chocolate and cranberry oil as well as clementine and pine.

 

 

Stand Out Sauces

Arguably a controversial condiment, the Sauce Shops Brussel Sprout Ketchup contains no less than 61% sprouts and makes for a “very unexpected flavour that just works”, insists the brand. Sharp, sweet and lightly spiced, its controversial to say the least. What is next? We can help you develop stand-out condiments for 2022.

At Dalziel Ingredients we work with you to create innovative, knock out sauces. Whether it’s a sachet packed sauce to pair with meat, fish or plant-based product or a tubbed sauce ready to be jarred, we can help!

For media enquiries, please email: mary.niven@dalziel.co.uk

 

World Class NPD Centre Investment

Posted on December 14th, 2021

We’re pleased to announce that here at Dalziel Ingredients we are investing in a £1m expansion of new product development capabilities to create a world class NPD centre at Felling.

Our new 7,100 square foot (660sq m) NPD centre will comprise sophisticated presentation and development kitchens, sample preparation areas, dedicated sauce making facility, video conferencing facilities, meat preparation room and freezer facilities.

Equally, the expansion will support our specialist departments, as the UK’s leading NPD and Technical Services teams in savoury blended ingredients. Completion is expected in spring 2022.

To create our unique, modern yet warming designs we looked to Amos Beech to make our ideas come to life.

Alison Lyall, interior designer at Amos Beech said, ‘The main part of the project was to design a Client Presentation Suite. We looked at brick walls to reflect the brick of local buildings, oak – a timeless warm timber popular in corporate interiors, tan leather – to bring warmth but also a fusion of high end residential and hospitality, and concrete – another warm tone yet contemporary finish.

Relating this to Dalziel Ingredients we then developed the finishes to reflect the logo. The tan leather became navy blue, and we introduced copper. Another finish repeating in our research was Carrera marble worktops and these have now been superseded by a marble effect ceramic as has the durability properties that marble doesn’t. Another natural timber, cork, was introduced along with charcoal greys. These finishes formed the first palette for the interiors, furniture, and fittings.

Sales director Richard Wilson said: “Our vision is to create a world-class NPD facility to help us deliver far more complex customer requirements.

“Our customer range has expanded massively in the UK, Ireland and globally across all food sectors including health and nutrition.

“The scale of our NPD redevelopment gives us greater capacity for trials to replicate customer products in-house.  It means we can further strengthen our partnerships with customers to develop inspirational, market leading products.”

Functional nutrition products, in particular the rise in vegan and plant based, is a key sector driving demand for Dalziel’s blended ingredients, having expanded into new markets, said Fran Hutton, NPD director.

“The rise in healthy nutrition products and vegan has seen our biggest percentage growth of the last 12 months, together with demand for snacks seasonings.  During the pandemic we started exploring other markets and now we’re reaping the benefits.

“Importantly, the diversity in our skills sets us apart in terms of our experience and industry knowledge.”

Managing director Stuart Dalziel added: “The importance of this investment in Dalziel Ingredients is hugely important.  And we’re proud to be investing in the best environment to enable our first-class 25-strong NPD & Technical teams to shine.”

For media enquiries, please email: mary.niven@dalziel.co.uk

 

Christmas Review 2021

Posted on December 6th, 2021

As the snow falls and the Christmas excitement grows, the Dalziel Ingredients team are getting our 2021 Christmas review together for your eyes!

Our marketing and product development team have begun reviewing this year’s festive food items on the market. This includes retail and food service, both chilled and frozen products. We also look at plant-based products, bakery, sauces, and snacks! There’s no such thing as too much at Christmas, right?!

This year we have designed our review based on luxury, with help from Kingsford Creative, a creative design agency. Christmas is based around premium products and it’s the time of the year where we’re all willing to dig a little deeper into our pockets for that extra special foodie showstopper. Here is a sneak peak of our review…

 

 

‘I requested a design from Marc at Kingsford Creative that screamed luxury, was effective and would stand out for all the right reasons, but also simple for our customers to read the context and convey our concepts in a clear format.

For me the dark green and gold shouts luxury as well as feeling warm and inviting’ says Denise McGrahan our NPD Marketing and Presentation Co-Ordinator.

If you follow our Instagram page, dalziel_ingredients, you may have also seen that we’re giving away three foodie hampers in the first 12 days of December! We have also used the dark green and gold theme to tie the ideas together. Don’t forget to keep an eye on our Instagram page so you can enter the competitions this month!

 

Dalziel Ingredient’s NPD and Marketing team are already working on blue sky ideas and concepts to inspire your team, please get in touch to receive our innovative Christmas 2021 review!

For media enquiries, please email: mary.niven@dalziel.co.uk

 

Eat Local – Food Trends 2022!

Posted on November 29th, 2021

As we all know, the coronavirus outbreak has changed our eating habits and has made us think twice about what we’re consuming.

In the UK, half of adults say that the coronavirus outbreak has made it more important to them to buy British produce. So, what is local food? For most people it means food grown or produced relatively close to where they live, such as within 20 miles, or in a county or region. Local councils have different expectations and regulations for local food that are set by the planning department (BBC News).

There are many benefits of eating local produce:

• It’s good for the environment. Local food doesn’t have to travel as far to arrive on your plate, so it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to improving our carbon footprint as well as cutting out third party transportation. Additionally, it benefits the local economy, supporting local farmers and producers ensuring money is put back into the regional economy.
• Importantly, the food tastes better! When purchasing produce at a farmer’s market, most local produce has been picked within the last 24 hours, ensuring it is ripe and at its peak nutrient-density. This also means the food is extremely fresh.
• Locally sourced produce means food is only eaten when seasonal. Continuously we are seeing an increase in seasonal, local produce within supermarket in their urge to backing British farming.

How can we increase our consumption of local produce?

Find your local farmer’s market! Markets and farm shops are growing year on year so we can guarantee there is one near you! It’s a great place to support local producers, as well as purchasing delicious food items grown in your community!

Supermarkets are increasing their local offering. We have seen supermarkets such as Morrisons who have  introduced their Nation’s Local Foodmakers programme which searches for local food and drink makers. Supplying direct to their nearest store, or to stores across their region, working with suppliers.

We expect to see this continue to grow and see locality as a food trend for 2022. To help you keep up-to-date with food trends, get in contact with our marketing team who are currently booking in Christmas reviews for 2022.

For media enquiries, please email: mary.niven@dalziel.co.uk

 

Clean Label Innovation

Posted on November 22nd, 2021

Are you looking for a ‘clean label’ product without compromising on flavour? Well, we can help.

We’re predicting clean label to be one of the biggest trends within the food industry and one that will continue to evolve.

Legislations such as Natasha’s Law and HFSS restrictions urge consumers to be more aware and conscious about food labels and more importantly, clean labels.

Denise McGrahan, NPD Marketing and Presentation Co-Ordinator said, ‘people are greater informed of what they’re consuming due to health reasons but also due to COVID-19. Since the pandemic, people are thinking about food more often and how they can eat in healthier ways. Consumers have learnt to cook at home, as well as a drive for on-pack clean labels.

Denise adds, people are mindful of artificial flavouring’s and no longer see a place for these on a label, therefore, natural ingredients are becoming more prominent.’

We have a wide variety of complex ingredients that provide an answer to your clean label questions! Our NPD team can help solve your problems when it comes to clean labels, providing peace-of-mind, transparency and still delivering the quality and flavour we all know and love.

For media enquiries, please email: mary.niven@dalziel.co.uk

 

Beat The Cold and Flu Season!

Posted on November 8th, 2021

As the temperatures drop outside, we’re more subject to colds and flus. Are you thinking about your immunity more than ever? Check out our advice on which ingredients can help during these winter months!

The immune system is the body’s defence against disease and infection. A healthy balanced diet with a variety of ingredients can help support this defence.

 

Our team can offer in-depth knowledge and understanding of ingredients, trends and functionalities. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for ingredient insight.

For media enquiries, please email: mary.niven@dalziel.co.uk

 

Shop The Planet Friendly Way!

Posted on November 1st, 2021

 

 

This week Glasgow holds the Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26. The COP26 summit aims to bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

So how can we shop well, the planet friendly way?

Less Waste

Globally, 25–30% of total food produced is lost or wasted, and food waste is estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to contribute 8-10% of total man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Wrap).

Dalziel Ingredients top tip… why not try buying individual food items instead of multipacks so you purchase only what you’re going to eat. This will also save on packaging – win, win! Try pickling or fermenting any fruit or veg that might be short dated, gut and eco-friendly!

Pre-Plan Your Food Shop

 

 

It pays to be organised with your food shopping – saving you time in the aisles and reducing duplicates in your kitchen. Shopping day can quickly turn into bin day as your perfectly edible old food gets thrown away to make space for the new.

Dalziel Ingredients top tip… Shop for plastic free dishwasher tablets. Some products and  outlets also offer a refill service too.

 

 

Seasonality

Not only does eating seasonal food taste better, but it also helps the environment. Eating food grown locally and within seasons, means it doesn’t have to be shipped or flown in, reducing food miles. It may be hard to tell exactly where food in the supermarket has come from, however, look for on pack country of origin info.

Dalziel Ingredients top tip… want to eat some ingredients all year round? How about buying ingredients in seasons, batch cooking and freezing dishes so you can enjoy out of season meals.

For media enquiries, please email: mary.niven@dalziel.co.uk