The goods: time to spread some joy

Once upon a time, you only had two nut butter choices: peanut butter, crunchy or smooth. (Crunchy wins hands down in our book, BTW.) These days you can have a different type of nut butter every day of the week if you so desire, from cashew and almond to macadamia and pistachio. But the PB powers that be obviously didn’t think that was giving people enough choice, which means you can now also get nut butters with extra things added, from the naughty (think chocolate) to the nice (like omega-3s).

Along with a few of the latest of these tempting spreads, we’ve also found some healthy new breakfast options for coeliacs, vegans and those on a low FODMAP or gluten-free diet; yet another plant-based meat alternative; and a range of lamb cuts that’s showcasing some of our most baaaa-rilliant Tasmanian meat producers.

Super-boosted nutty goodness

Mayver’s has released a new range of “super” peanut butters and tree nut butters which contain extra nutrients like probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids. Peanuts are already a good natural source of plant-based omega-3s, but for an extra boost, Mayver’s Super Omega-3 Peanut Butter has added flaxseed, premium organic MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) oil and an algae-based omega-3 to pack in a little more of the good stuff.

Fans of Mayver’s Dark Roast will now get to enjoy 60 percent extra crunch with Mayver’s Dark Roast Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter, while Mayver’s new Smunchy Almond Butter is crafted by lightly roasting natural almonds in their skins before they’re crushed and bottled.

For those with a sweet tooth, Mayver’s new Hazelnut Cashew and Cacao Butter spread is a healthy choice for choc spread addicts. Sweetened naturally with dates and cacao, it’s perfect for spreading on toast, drizzled over ice cream or eaten straight from the jar.

Mayver’s full range is available at Woolworths, Coles and independent retailers.

New healthy brekkie options coming your way

Food for Health has extended its breakfast range – experimenting with new flavours while expanding dietary options. The new Food for Health Gluten Free Porridge and Clusters varieties are suitable for people who are coeliac or following a low-FODMAP diet.

The new porridge comes in two flavours: Almond, Apple & Maple Porridge and Raspberry & Coconut Porridge. They come conveniently packed in individually portioned sachets, which you simply cook with water or your milk of choice, and it’s ready in 60 seconds.

The Clusters come in three flavours: Choc Cherry Clusters; Cacao & Coconut Clusters; and Cranberry & Coconut Clusters. Both the Gluten Free Porridge and Clusters products are certified FODMAP friendly and endorsed by Coeliac Australia. The Clusters are also vegan.

Food for Health’s Gluten Free Cluster and Porridge ranges are now available in the health food aisle at Coles and independent supermarkets.

A new plant-based player comes to town

Canadian manufacturer Modern Meat is set to bring its 100 percent plant-based meat alternative products to Australia, after signing a deal with Adelaide distributor Viveri.

“There’s no better place to begin global expansion than Australia, as its residents represent early adopters,” says Craig Wallace, Head of Global Acquisitions for Modern Meat.

Currently, Viveri produces ready-made meals, pasta and protein, cakes and pastries, gelati, coffee, sandwiches, salads, panini and breads, which are distributed to major supermarket retailers in southern Australia, including IGA, Foodland, Coles and Woolworths.

“Consumers are demanding more plant-based options that enable healthier lifestyles,” says Tara Haddad, Founder and CEO of Modern Meat. “Our goal is to be a leader in the plant-based space, and we will do this through continued product innovation.”

The set-up phase will be completed by the end of this month, and initial production and distribution of products is expected to start in the second quarter of 2021.

Graze Lamb is back with a bigger range

Coles has brought back its popular Graze Lamb range for summer, adding new cuts to the menu, including grass-fed lamb fillets, backstraps, marinated shoulder, Frenched shanks and extra trim cutlets. The grass-fed lamb range is sourced from Tasmanian lamb producers with pristine growing conditions and high animal welfare standards, with the introduction of Graze Lamb creating a new market for 65 dedicated Tasmanian producers.

The new cuts add to the popular range launched last year, which includes lamb mince, roasts and loin chops, which were awarded Product of the Year for 2021.