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Familiar flavours with spicy and indulgent twists trending in winter ice cream NPD

While ice cream rises to the top of the consumer list for decadent treats at winter time, luxury brands are tapping into new flavours and textures in the dessert arena.

Latvian ice cream brand Ekselence, and member of Food Union, has unveiled a gourmet range of winter flavoured ice creams.

Pumpkin spice latté, peanut butter crunch, vanilla and chocolate with cookie dough, milk souffle, banana and chocolate and vanilla and chocolate cookies.

“The latest consumer market data shows significant changes in consumer preferences; ice cream has become not only one of the top choice desserts to eat at home, but also serves as home entertainment,” Alexander Mayorov, head of R&D, Food Union Ice Cream Competence Centre, producer of the Ekselence brand, tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

With other out-of-home entertainments such as cinema, cafés and restaurants, as well as attraction parks for children closed down or with limited access, ice cream has become “a vehicle of popular entertainment to be enjoyed in the comfort of consumer’s homes.”

Spiced up for the season

In Denmark and Norway, consumers have been indulging in ice cream all year round. However, the trend is only now beginning to take shape in other parts of Europe such as the Baltic region, according to Food Union.

“We expect that with recent lifestyle changes more and more people will be opting for ice cream in winter months,” says Mayorov.

Brands were challenged this year in creating new products due to disruptions in supply chains due to the COVID-19. Consumers have also become health conscious as a result of the pandemic and the ice cream sector has seen rising demand for formulations with functional ingredients.

Food Union got creative by developing warm and creamy flavours suitable for winter such as chai latté. Meanwhile, sauces, chunks and crisps have been applied to elevate ice cream.

“The different levels of restrictions on people’s mobility have led to changes in lifestyles and, consequently, in food consumption,” Mayorov explains.

The challenge was threefold – coming up with entertaining flavours influenced by global trends, using convenient packaging solutions in an environment of considerably disrupted supply chains and stepping-up consumer-centric innovations.

“Consumers went back to ice creams that offered comfort and delight. Interestingly, one of the hero products was the vanilla and chocolate with cookie dough,” adds Mayorov.

Monthly round up of new products: November

Ekselence adds new flavours

Another Food Union brand, Ekselence, has also created a new range of ice creams in Latvia. The range has three flavours in O.5 liter cardboard tubs: Ekselence Pumpkin Spice Latté, which is a spicy ice cream with a taste of coffee latté and pumpkin spice sauce; Ekselence Peanut Butter Crunch, which features ice cream with caramel sauce and peanuts; and Ekselence Vanilla & Chocolate with Cookie Dough, with chunks of cookie dough in vanilla and chocolate ice cream. There are also three flavours in 1 liter packaging; Ekselence Milk souffle; Ekselence Banana & Chocolate; and Ekselence Vanilla & Chocolate cookies.

Food Union has invested 50,000 in the new collection of the ice cream brand Ekselence

Milk processing company “Food Union” has invested 50,000 euros in the new collection of the ice cream brand “Ekselence”, representatives of “Foodaties” informed “Skaties.lv”.

The new “Excellence” collection has been created in the Riga-based “Food Union” ice cream competence center with the aim to sell products in both Latvian and other foreign export markets, including Asia from 2022. The amount of investment invested in the development of ice cream recipes, packaging solutions and product launches is estimated at around 50,000 euros.

Including “Excellence Pumpkin Spice Latte” – coffee ice cream in combination with pumpkin sauce, “Excellence Vanilla & Chocolate Cookie Dough” or two-tone vanilla and chocolate ice cream with shortbread and chocolate pieces, beige “Excellence Peanut Butter Crunch” ice cream with peanut with peanut pieces.

It has already been reported that the food group Food Union, which currently includes JSC Rīgas piena kombināts and JSC Valmieras piens, had a turnover of 109.7 million euros last year, which is 11% more than a year earlier.

The Food Union Group includes the Latvian Dairy Company, which added Riga Dairy Farmer in February 2020, and Valmieras piens, as well as the largest ice cream manufacturer in Estonia, Premia, and the largest ice cream manufacturer in Denmark, Premier Is, and Hjem Is ice cream distributor, Isbjrn Is ice cream manufacturer in Norway, Alpin57Lux ice cream manufacturer in Romania and Ingman Ice Cream ice cream manufacturer in Belarus. Food Union also has two dairy and baby food plants in China. The largest shareholder of the group is Andrejs Beshmelņickis, a businessman from Russia.

Food processing company “Food Union” has invested 50,000 euros in the new collection of ice cream brand “Ekselence”, representatives of “Food Union” informed “Skaties.lv”

Food processing company “Food Union” has invested 50,000 euros in the new collection of ice cream brand “Ekselence”, representatives of “Food Union” informed “Skaties.lv”.

Food Union Extends Ekselence Ice Cream Range

Ekselence, one of the leading ice cream brands in Latvia and a member of the international group Food Union, has created an new range of ice creams. Ekselence launched a total of 6 novelties for this Autumn/ Winter season, offering rich and saturated flavours in both 0,5 litre and 1 litre boxes. Each ice cream is a culinary artform bringing together texture, layers and flavours into a signature of Ekselence.

“Ekselence is really focused on pushing sensory boundaries and developing products that are inspired by global lifestyle and food trends resulting in flavours that scintillate and excite consumers palates. From the world’s most popular drink coffee to the world’s little-known bird’s milk or milk souffle – Ekselence highlights these flavours on the foundation of creamy ice cream and continues to be at the forefront of the ice cream market,” Sandra Usacheva, Food Union ice cream brand manager, said.

The range incorporates 3 flavours in 0,5 litre cardboard tubs: Ekselence Pumpkin Spice Latté: A spicy ice cream created by ice cream with a taste of coffee latté and pumpkin spice sauce; Ekselence Peanut Butter Crunch: An experience offered by masterfully mixed caramel sauce into creamy ice cream and crunchy peanuts; Ekselence Vanilla & Chocolate with Cookie Dough: A rich taste experience, where chunks of cookie dough are twisted into of vanilla and chocolate.

It also offers 3 flavours in 1 litre packaging: Ekselence Milk souffle: A full-fledged ice cream experience delivered by milk souffle or so-called bird’s milk; Ekselence Banana & Chocolate: A fusion of flavours in a mix of banana and chocolate ice cream with banana sauce; Ekselence Vanilla & Chocolate cookies: A rich experience offered by vanilla ice cream with crunchy pieces of chocolate cookies.

All 6 new products will be available starting from week 46 nationwide in Latvia.

Ekselence releases new range of ice cream flavours

Ekselence, one of the leading ice cream brands in Latvia and member of the international ice cream group Food Union, has created an innovative range of ice creams that reportedly offer ‘unparalleled gourmet decadence’ and tap into warm cues of winter with a new ice cream range that the brand says transcends seasons.

“Ekselence is really focused on pushing sensory boundaries and developing products that are inspired by global lifestyle and food trends resulting in flavours that scintillate and excite consumer palates. From the world’s most popular drink coffee to the world’s little-knows bird’s milk or milk soufflé – Ekselence highlights these flavours on the foundation of creamy ice cream and continues to be at the forefront of the ice cream market,” said Sandra Usacheva, Food Union ice cream brand manager.

“These all-season ice creams use world class ingredients and tap into consumer desires for winter treats. Ekselence delivers a rich experience that ice cream and dessert enthusiasts alike can appreciate in the warmth of one’s home and consistently create special moments for families and friends at home with ice cream in sizes for every gathering,” adds Usacheva.

Ekselence, recognised for its culinary artistry in ice cream, launched a total of six novelties for this autumn/winter season, offering rich and saturated flavours in both 0.5 litre and 1L boxes. The products are tailored for true gourmands and deliver warm sensations to be enjoyed as a chilled winter dessert.

The range incorporates three flavours in 0.5 litre cardboard tubs:

Ekselence Pumpkin Spice Latté: A trendy and spicy ice cream experience created by ice cream with a taste of coffee latté and pumpkin spice sauce;
Ekselence Peanut Butter Crunch: A sensational and sweet experience offered by masterfully mixed caramel sauce into creamy ice cream and smithereens of crunchy peanuts;
Ekselence Vanilla & Chocolate with Cookie Dough: A rich taste experience, where chunks of cookie dough are twisted into perfection of vanilla and chocolate marriage.

And three flavours in 1L packaging:

Ekselence Milk souffle: A soft and full-fledged ice cream experience delivered by milk souffle or so-called bird’s milk;
Ekselence Banana & Chocolate: A fusion of hedonistic flavours in a mix of banana and chocolate ice cream with juicy banana sauce;
Ekselence Vanilla & Chocolate cookies: A rich and nourishing experience offered by vanilla ice cream with crunchy pieces of chocolate cookies.All six products will be available starting from week 46 nationwide in Latvia.

Ekselence excels with novel and trendy ice cream flavours that transcend seasons

As winter approaches, Ekselence ice cream creates warm feelings with new lines of rich and decadent ice cream flavours

Ekselence, one of the leading ice cream brands in Latvia and a proud member of the international ice cream group Food Union, has created an innovative range of ice creams that offer unparalleled gourmet decadence and tap into warm cues of winter with a trendy new ice cream range that transcends seasons.

Ekselence, that is recognized for its culinary artistry in ice cream, launched a total of 6 novelties for this Autumn/ Winter season, offering rich and saturated flavours in both 0,5 litre and 1 litre boxes. Each ice cream is a culinary artform bringing together texture, layers and flavours into a signature of Ekselence. The products are tailored for true gourmands and deliver warm sensations to be enjoyed as a chilled winter dessert:

The range incorporates 3 flavours in 0,5 litre cardboard tubs:

• Ekselence Pumpkin Spice Latté: A trendy and spicy ice cream experience created by ice cream with a taste of coffee latté and pumpkin spice sauce;

• Ekselence Peanut Butter Crunch: A sensational and sweet experience offered by masterfully mixed caramel sauce into creamy ice cream and smithereens of crunchy peanuts;

• Ekselence Vanilla & Chocolate with Cookie Dough: A rich taste experience, where chunks of cookie dough are twisted into perfection of vanilla and chocolate marriage.

And 3 flavours in 1 litre packaging:

• Ekselence Milk souffle: A soft and full-fledged ice cream experience delivered by milk souffle or so-called bird’s milk;

• Ekselence Banana & Chocolate: A fusion of hedonistic flavours in a mix of banana and chocolate ice cream with juicy banana sauce;

• Ekselence Vanilla & Chocolate cookies: A rich and nourishing experience offered by vanilla ice cream with crunchy pieces of chocolate cookies.

All 6 new products will be available starting from week 46 nationwide in Latvia.

ABOUT EKSELENCE

Inspired by Northern European gourmet culture, artisan ice cream begins with the finest ingredients. Ekselence ice cream is fine crafted to perfection using the richest locally sourced milk and cream and uses a fusion of high quality, carefully sourced and selected ingredients, that result in a masterful taste experience in every bite.

Food Union launches duo of cocktail-inspired ice creams

Dairy products manufacturer Food Union has released two new ice cream flavours based on cocktail favourites under its Ekselence brand.

Ekselence Caramel Piña Colada ice cream is launching in Latvia, while Ekselence Orange Spritz will be available in Norway and Latvia via national retail.

Ekselence ice cream is made with Latvian milk and cream and the new products aim to “capture the essence of a cocktail on a stick”.

The Piña colada-inspired product features a coconut and pineapple ice cream with a caramel sauce. Meanwhile, the orange spritz ice cream is coated in a thick layer of white chocolate.

Normunds Stanevics, CEO of Food Union Europe, said: “These new ice creams were developed at our innovation centre in Riga, Latvia to perfectly fuse the art of mixology with our ice cream know-how.

“By putting a modern twist on traditional dairy products enables us to broaden our consumer appeal and give our existing consumers the opportunity to explore new, tantalising flavours.”

Major Asian ice cream market expansion for Latvia’s Food Union

Latvian-based dairy producer Food Union, a key Baltic ice cream manufacturer, has expanded several of its core brands in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

As the company revealed to Confectionery Production, Ekselence, Pols and Lakto export ranges have reached 125 tonnes and are expected to reach 270 tonnes by the end of the year, according to its internal analysis.

Normunds Staņēvičs, Food Union CEO in Europe, welcomed the company’s expansion in Asia, which demonstrated considerable resilience for the market, in spite of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that is showing little sign of slowing around the world.

Staņēvičs said: “We remain focused on growing new markets and developing dynamic distribution for our high-quality ice cream products. We have found that customers in Asian markets seek out the same high-quality products from trusted European dairy producers.

“We are paving roads into new markets by placing popular Latvian and Estonian brands in strong, respected Asian retail chains. Our goal is to increase exports to these markets, and next year we plan to expand into two additional East Asian regions.”

Food Union exports to East Asia gradually increased towards the end of 2019 and peaked in June 2020 as Food Union entered Taiwan. The majority of the export products are made in Food Union’s central plant JSC Rīgas piena kombināts and a smaller percentage are produced in Estonia’s Premia TKHplant.”

AS the company added, its products are sold in various East Asian store chains, cafés and offices. Food Union’s market strategy in China combines their knowledge of the region’s culture, consumer behaviours and FMCG market demands.

The company exports 46 different products from three well-known Latvian brands and one newly created brand. Customers who prefer premium and exquisite flavours can enjoy Ekselence, an assortment of gourmet ice cream with all the flavours popular in Latvia.

Its well established Pols brand is now being shipped from Riga on a regular basis, allowing customers to enjoy bold flavours and a recipe cherished by generations of Latvians. The Lakto Diamond product, based on the Lakto brand collection for children, has been created especially for the East Asian market and offers three curd snacks and three ice cream products.

Fans of lean, low-calorie products will be able to enjoy three unique fruit sorbets with Shapetime. All exported goods will be available on the Food Union online store, and additional new products will be added in the coming weeks and months.

In addition to export products, Food Union launched an Ekselence pop-up shop in one of the most prestigious shopping centres in Hong Kong, where consumers can enjoy gourmet Ekselence ice cream products.

Ekselence ice cream pop-up store opens in Shanghai

The leading dairy producer in Latvia Food Union announces the launch of Ekselence ice cream pop-up store in Shanghai, China, in the most premium department store New World Dai Maru which is visited by around 100 thousand visitors every day.

From 7 September and onwards Latvian ice cream is available in China. Food Union becomes the first Baltic dairy producer to enter China market, as the company told BNN.

«It was exactly three months ago when a ship full of Latvian gourmet ice cream left the shore of Latvia and began its journey to China. Today it is my honour and pleasure to welcome this vessel and announce the opening of the first Latvian ice cream pop-up store Ekselence in China,» – said Normunds Stanevics Chairman of the Board of Rigas piena kombinats.

Ekselence pop-up store design and concept represents both Ekselence ice cream and Latvian cuisine values and will offer Latvia made premium gourmet ice cream Ekselence. The store will be open daily offering Ekselence Double and Ekselence family pack ice creams in variety of tastes. The average price for Ekselence Double is EUR 5.3 (RMB 38) and for Ekselence family pack is EUR 12.33 (88 RMB).

Meanwhile Food Union launched Nu Smoothie branded sales points in five most visited and central department stores in Shanghai – Bao Shan, Zhong Huang Bai Lian, Wu Jiao Chang, Nan Jing, San Xin, that sell all natural ice cream Nu Smoothie.

«The opening of the first Ekselence pop-up store here in Shanghai’s most premium department store New World Dai Maru, makes Food Union the first dairy and ice cream producer in the Baltic region to enter China’s market. We are very happy to make this first significant move, but we do have a long journey ahead of us. We are determined to expand our business in China by offering premium, high-value, healthy and nutritious dairy products,» – commented Andrey Beskhmelnitskiy, Food Union shareholder.

«We see that Chinese consumers are becoming increasingly demanding and have sophisticated taste. Our Chinese customers are very well aware of which products are contributing to good health at all ages and life stages. This is where we see the opportunity to showcase Latvia – one of the greenest countries in the world, and promote its tourism offer, culture and agriculture traditions, as well as business and investment prospects. Food Union’s strategic mission is to contribute in building a bridge between Latvian and Chinese nations with a common objective of growth and increasing prosperity,» – added Mr.Beskhmelnitskiy.

The pop-up store and sales points will be open for two months for trial sales and after that Food Union team together with Bright Food Group will develop product portfolio for 2016 summer season sales in all the largest supermarkets in Shanghai.

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