2024-08-20 08:58:42
Many new products on the shelf, and it’s a shame to buy them just like that, so we organized it for you: the new XL that you must try, a chocolate pistachio spread that will come to you in your dreams, and what do we think of the new meat substitutes?
Mancini Pasta
The pasta from Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy has arrived in the country thanks to a delightful import by Ristretto, and now you can also enjoy it in your home kitchen. It’s no wonder it’s considered the Hermes of pastas. Its production is done using traditional methods, from wheat fields to the use of bronze disks for shaping the pasta, which creates a rough surface that allows for good sauce absorption, and up to the long and slow drying process done in ovens to preserve the pasta’s taste and color.
All of this is felt in both taste and texture. No matter what shape you choose (and there are quite a few), you will encounter special and very high-quality pasta, with a chewy and rich texture, a nice wheat flavor, and a rough coating that helps the sauce cling to every noodle. This is such tasty pasta that you can eat it even without sauce, but since you’re not kids, invest in a good tomato sauce to elevate the excellent pasta.
Mancini Pasta – 21.90 shekels, available on the Ristretto website, StopMarket chain, and delicatessens and online delicatessens like Elite and Carmela
XL Summer Flavored Drinks
We are not big fans of energy drinks, perhaps because we aren’t clubbers, and for just a mid-day energy boost, all that sugar and caffeine seems excessive to us. But not everyone is like us, and there are definitely people who enjoy the genre, and for them, the folks at XL are working hard to create delicious flavors for their drinks that originally came in cough syrup flavors.
Right now, the company has collaborated with social media stars Omer Levi and Yoav Dagani (Festivy) to create two new flavors: peach and apricot, and mango pineapple. Sorry, but we have no idea who these two guys are and why they made these flavors, but the drinks themselves are actually not bad at all. The peach apricot is cute and refreshing, but the mango pineapple is actually delicious to the point that you want to drink it as a regular drink. Of course, when we drank a whole can, we immediately felt the racing pulse that comes with energy drinks, but if you are okay with that kind of craziness, there is something new to try.
XL Mango Pineapple and Peach Apricot – about 6 shekels, available in supermarket chains
Bamba Belgian Waffle
In 2008, the Osem company launched Bamba filled with nougat cream, and it turned out to be delicious. In 2010, Bamba filled with halva cream arrived, and it was also well-received. Since then, many more versions of Bamba have been launched: Bamba filled with Bamba cream, iced coffee, salted caramel, pretzel cream, inside out Bamba, and even Bamba filled with red Bamba. To be honest, not all have been successful. And now a new flavor is coming – Bamba filled with Belgian waffle cream. What is the flavor of a Belgian waffle? Well, maple. That is the flavor, with a bit of waffle texture maybe? Not sure, but it’s cute. Not amazing and not really distinguishable as a flavor, but cute and does the job for both adults and kids. I wonder what the next flavor will be.
Bamba filled with Belgian Waffle – 6.90 shekels, available in supermarket chains
Campo D’oro Sicilian Pistachio Spread
For more than 35 years, Campo D’oro has been producing food products based on Sicilian cuisine, and now they bring us a creamy spread of Sicilian pistachio with a velvety texture suitable for filling pastries, covering cakes, and other delights, and of course – as a perfect spread for a sandwich or for eating with a spoon. The spread is very creamy, homogeneous and sweet in a delightful way. The pistachio flavor is noticeable but not very dominant and resembles more a combination of white chocolate and pistachio, thus it will also please small children. If you drizzle a little on ice cream, you will experience a perfect upgrade, and if you use it to prepare the trending Dubai chocolate with kadaif that’s circulating online, you’ll achieve a perfect bite. Besides that, it is gluten-free, so it’s a big win for everyone.
Sicilian Pistachio Spread – 34-35 shekels, available on the Ristretto website, StopMarket chain, and delicatessens and online delicatessens like Elite and Carmela
Alpro Iced Coffee and Chocolate
How do you know summer has arrived? We go through about seven cups of iced coffee a day. To keep ourselves in check, we try to make sure that only half of them are with milk, and here comes Alpro with a novelty – iced coffee made with oat milk alongside soy milk chocolate that is suitable for drinking as a hot or cold beverage with tons of ice, and is also enriched with calcium and vitamins, and contains no preservatives.
The chocolate is quite successful. It is sweet to the right degree, thick and rich, and is continuously sipped by the kids. The adults felt it was a bit too sweet and a bit too thick, thus it felt more like a milkshake than chocolate. A few ice cubes and a vigorous shake solved the problem.
Alpro’s oat milk has been our favorite for a long time, and as a base for iced coffee, it works really well. It’s not too sweet, not too heavy, exactly to its coffee flavors, and the best part – free of off flavors. It’s genuinely a joy to pour into a cup, add a few ice cubes, and drink. Thank you for saving us the need to prepare Alpro coffee ourselves. The problem? Due to availability, we might go up to eight cups of coffee. Not good.
Alpro Iced Coffee and Alpro Chocolate – 15.90-17.90 shekels. Available in supermarket chains
INSTEAD Meat Substitutes
What a pleasant time it is to be a vegetarian or vegan. After decades where the only meat substitute we had was soy schnitzel with an aftertaste in a two-kilo bag, Beyond Meat and Redefine Meat arrived and brought with them more and more juicy and delicious meat substitutes.
The new meat substitutes from Galilee Chicken really surprised us. We thought it would just be a lame attempt to jump on the trend, but that’s not the case. No less than 11 products have been released in the new line, including chicken, beef, and even fish substitutes. We didn’t taste the fish, but the plant-based beef shawarma was highly seasoned and very juicy. And it was also really delicious. The beef burger was pretty good, although not the best of its kind, but definitely juicy and satisfying, and the chicken nuggets were devoured wildly by the kids. The only critique is that the packages are fairly small. The nugget package contains 10 nuggets, so two kids don’t come out satisfied, and the shawarma was enough for one and a half people.
INSTEAD Meat Substitutes – about 21-30 shekels for packages of 160-227 grams
GIO Chocolate-Covered Frozen Fruits
Initially, there was FRANUI – chocolate-covered raspberry snacks that are eaten frozen. Anyone who has visited Argentina has commented on the pleasure, so they brought it to the country. Then, as is the case with every success, they looked to bring more similar products, and it turns out there are. Introducing GIO, the very similar version, this time from Spain, only theirs has more flavors and types of coatings. For example – strawberries covered in white and milk chocolate, black raspberries covered in white and milk chocolate, and raspberries coated in white chocolate and cookies. Our expectations were not high because if FRANUI is so good, there’s no way the competitor can be as well. So we were wrong.
The fruits are bursting with juice and the chocolate is of good quality and just the right thickness. White chocolate-covered raspberries are a real delight, the strawberries in chocolate work wonderfully, and so do the black raspberries. However, unlike the Argentine candy that works even when it’s less frozen, here the freezing works great. We liked the dark chocolate-covered ones and the oversized strawberries less, but those that are really excellent are excellent. Luckily, the size and shape of the box fit better in the freezer than that Argentine candy. How do you say in Spanish – deux fois!
GIO in a box – 37.90 shekels, available in supermarket chains
Emerging Food Trends: Quality, Flavor, and Innovation
The recent wave of product launches in the food market underscores a growing emphasis on quality, flavor, and innovative offerings. As consumers become more discerning, several trends are emerging that could shape the future of the food industry.
Artisanal and Traditional Foods
Products like the Mancini pasta highlight a return to artisanal methods and traditional recipes, catering to a consumer longing for authenticity. These days, shoppers are not just buying food; they’re seeking an experience, a connection to a time-honored craft. Expect to see more brands focusing on traditional production processes that enhance both texture and flavor, solidifying their place in the gourmet market.
Flavor Innovations in Beverages
The introduction of unique flavors in drinks, such as the new XL summer beverages, signals a shift toward creativity in beverage offerings. Collaborations with influencers and creative flavor combinations are likely to proliferate, appealing to younger, adventurous consumers looking to break away from the conventional choices.
Decadent Snack Options
The rise of innovative snacks, like the new Bamba flavors and the Sicilian pistachio spread, suggests a trend where indulgence meets versatility. Consumers are increasingly seeking snacks that can double as treats and meal enhancers, merging casual eating with gourmet experiences.
Expansion of Plant-Based Alternatives
With the growing popularity of meat substitutes, exemplified by INSTEAD products, plant-based eating is set to become more mainstream. As advancements in food technology improve the taste and texture of these alternatives, we can expect to see even more innovative offerings that cater not only to vegetarians but also to flexitarians eager to reduce meat consumption without sacrificing flavor.
Health-Conscious Choices
The introduction of Alpro’s oat-based iced coffee and chocolate reflects a rising consumer demand for healthier options. Products that cater to dietary restrictions—be it gluten-free, vegan, or low in sugar—will likely see increasing consumer interest, pushing brands to innovate further in this realm.
Frozen Delights and Gourmet Desserts
The GIO chocolate-covered frozen fruits highlight a growing trend towards gourmet frozen desserts. Consumers are looking for indulgent yet convenient options that can elevate their dessert game. This trend is expected to spur further developments in frozen confectioneries that combine unique flavors and high-quality ingredients.
This evolving landscape of flavors, textures, and health-conscious products indicates a vibrant future for the food industry, where quality and innovation remain paramount in attracting and satisfying the modern consumer.