New Food Finds | Part 2

Gifted | Contains affiliate links Foodies, I am back with this month's New Food Finds feature. As regular readers might know this ...

Gifted | Contains affiliate links

Foodies, I am back with this month's New Food Finds feature. As regular readers might know this is a monthly roundup where I share fabulous products from new/established brands, independent producers and artisan food specialists. Last month's foodie finds included brands like Human Food, Love Yourself, Lizi's and Creative Nature. Take a look at this months discoveries.

YaconViva Yacon Syrup

If you are looking for a natural alternative to sugar, you could give YaconViva's Yacon Syrup a try. Made from the roots of the Yacon plant, this is a versatile natural sweetener that is ideal for those on a gluten-free, paleo, low sugar, low carb or keto diet.

With low GI levels, this naturally prebiotic syrup has a slow sugar absorption and is also rich in natural Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a fibre that passes through the body undigested, yet feeds the natural gut flora which is great for the immune system and helps one feel fuller for longer.

The syrup is great tasting - a lovely malty flavour and can be used with desserts, yoghurts, in smoothies, cereals and pancakes and also in baking as a substitute for sugar. My favourite use of the syrup has been adding it my breakfast porridge, makes it even more healthier.

YaconViva Cacao Nibs

Another product from YaconViva that we tried was the Organic Cacao Nibs. These are packed full of antioxidants, contain natural caffeine and have been sweetened with Yacon Syrup making them great topping for desserts or as a baking ingredient. Great for snacking as well.

YaconViva Cacao Nibs are priced at £9.99 for a 300g pack while the Yacon Syrup is priced at £9.99 for a 220g bottle and both can be ordered online from www.yaconviva.co.uk

Better Nature Better Bites

Better Nature are a brand known for their nutritious, high protein tempeh. Tempeh fermentation is a food process that originated in Indonesia nearly 300 years ago and involves a culturing and fermentation process where soybeans or other legumes are transformed into the very versatile and nutritious tempeh.

Better Nature recently expanded their product line with the launch of Better bites - pre-marinated, snack-able bites in three indulgent flavours inspired by China, Mexico and India.

The new range available in Saucy Stir Fry, Tantalising Taco and Moreish Masala makes tempeh available in more convenient and flavoursome options, with the same nutritional value as the original. Made from fermented lupin beans, each 175g pack contains 33g protein and 21g fibre and is very easy to cook. Because Better Bites are pre-marinated, they can be eaten hot or cold.

(Above: Better Bites used in Mint Fried Rice)

All the three flavours are lovely but I did prefer the Moreish Masala over the other two. It worked really well in my 'Paneer Do Pyaza' recipe where I replaced the Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese) with Better Bites.

Better Bites can be purchased from the Better Nature website for £3.79 (individually) or as part of a bundle from £28.99. The brand is currently offering free, nationwide delivery on all orders over £20.

Visit their website - www.betternaturetempeh.co for more details and some interesting recipes.

Purition Nutritional Shakes 

Purition is a UK brand that make nourishing and healthier alternatives to meal replacement products and protein shakes. Made with only real food ingredients in small batches, Purition's product range is low in sugar, high in fibre and protein, certified gluten free and contains healthy fats from seeds and nuts. And they have an impressive range of flavours too.

The original range (has whey protein) including flavours like:

• Macadamia & Vanilla
• Chocolate (Cocoa)
• Coffee and Walnut
• Strawberry
• Coconut
• Almond
• Pistachio
• Golden Milk
• Chocolate Orange
• Beetroot
• Beetroot & Chocolate
• Chai Latte

And a vegan range (dairy-free range) with flavours like:

• Vanilla
• Hemp Chocolate
• Strawberry
• Coffee & Walnut
• Hemp Original
• Blackcurrant
• Golden Smoothie
• Chocolate Orange
• Beetroot
• Beetroot & Chocolate
• Chai Latte

A quick look at the ingredients list for each of the flavours and you can see that each one has a slightly different nutritional profile but the one thing that is common among them is that they are all natural with no fillers, thickeners or artificial flavourings/colours.

If you are new to Purition, a great way to start off would be to try their 'Discovery Box' like we did. The box allows you to choose any 6 flavours (six 40g packs for £12.96) and we feel this is an excellent way of trying them out and deciding which flavour works well for you. You can then order your preferred flavour in a large pack size.

Preparing the drinks is easy, just add some milk or plant-based alternative (if you are vegan) and blend well. The drinks taste great with all natural flavours. It has a somewhat coarse texture compared to other protein powders we have tried but that's not a deal breaker. I actually liked that I could feel and taste the nuts/seeds in some of the shakes. The drink is satiating and makes for a great breakfast shake or a post exercise drink.

You can read more about Purition at www.purition.co.uk

Buy the Purition Discovery Box on Amazon.

Sun on a Beach Hot Sauce

Spirit of Aloha 65 is a spirit drink infused with fresh pineapple, lemon, ginger, scotch-bonnet chillies and carefully selected herbs and spices and is perfect for making cocktails. It's great with tonic water. The brand, Aloha 65, recently launched a new product - Sun on a Beach Hot Sauce!

Made in small batches in the UK using the same fruit, chillis and herbs and spices which are used in Spirit of Aloha 65, the hot sauce is a highly versatile sauce that balances the sweetness of pineapple with the heat of scotch bonnet chilli and other herbs to create a winning taste experience. You can use it as dipping sauce, a marinade, a salad dressing, for BBQs or simply stir some into soups. It works great in all cases. Our favourite way to use it has been as a dipping sauce for baguettes, for adding a little bit of heat to wrap sandwiches and with pizzas.

Read more about Aloha at https://aloha65.com

Whole Earth Chocolate & Hazelnut Smooth Peanut Butter

Whole Earth, the popular peanut butter brand, recently launched a Chocolate and Hazelnut peanut butter spread. Made without any refined sugars and sweetened with dates, the limited edition spread contains 80% less sugar than the standard chocolate version making it a healthier alternative.

Packed with the goodness of peanut butter and with the delicious taste of chocolate and hazelnuts, this new spread works well as a topping for pancakes, can be added to smoothies or porridge or you can enjoy it with a cup of Greek yoghurt like I do. Tastes fab!

The Whole Earth Chocolate & Hazelnut Smooth Peanut Butter is priced at £4.00 (RRP) for a 340g bottle and is available from Tesco.