NPD Trend Tracker: From coffee leaf kombucha to mental health crisps

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Image source: Getty Images/Justin Paget (Getty Images)

In this week's NPD Trend Tracker, we have a number of new drinks, including probiotic soda, premium mezcal and coffee leaf kombucha. On the food side of things, we have new menus for Subway and Foodhak, as well as crisps design to raise awareness for mental health.

In this week's NPD Trend Tracker, we have a number of new drinks, including probiotic soda, premium mezcal and coffee leaf kombucha. On the food side of things, we have new menus for Subway and Foodhak, as well as crisps design to raise awareness for mental health.

Image source: Getty Images/Justin Paget

NPD Trend Tracker: From coffee leaf kombucha to mental health crisps
NPD Trend Tracker: From coffee leaf kombucha to mental health crisps (Justin Paget/Getty Images)

In this week's NPD Trend Tracker, we have a number of new drinks, including probiotic soda, premium mezcal and coffee leaf kombucha. On the food side of things, we have new menus for Subway and Foodhak, as well as crisps design to raise awareness for mental health.

Image source: Getty Images/Justin Paget

Limited edition crisps launched to spark mental health conversations
Limited edition crisps launched to spark mental health conversations

In order to raise awareness for mental health issues, brewery Beaverton and organisation Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) have launched limited edition vegan cheddar and jalapeño flavour crisps in UK pubs.

Alongside the crisps themselves, the lining of the packet is packed with questions on mental health, crafted by CALM. These questions include “what gets you through tough times?" and "if you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?"

The crisps will be available for free each Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of April across Young’s and independent pubs around the UK.

The campaign was prompted by research from Beavertown, which showed that 56% of Brits have pretended to be ‘ok’ when they were not.

The campaign is backed by Tom Davis, who features in the film Wonka. “We often shy away from getting deep and opening up with our loved ones about what's going on in our lives, masking it with comedy — something I’ve done many times," said Davis.

"These crisps give you that natural invitation to start sharing in a laid-back way, right there at the pub, which is the perfect place to do so if you ask me. The only downside is you do have to share your crisps, which I am fundamentally against, but you can always just get another bag."

Image source: Beavertown 

Fhirst Living Soda releases lemon and lime flavour
Fhirst Living Soda releases lemon and lime flavour

Probiotic and prebiotic soda brand Fhirst has launched a lemon and lime flavour of its drink.

As well as being sugar free (the brand uses natural stevia leaves, rather than processed stevia) the soda is microencapsulated, which, the brand suggests, means that its ingredients can reach the gut intact, without degrading.

It is also, according to the brand, the world’s only functional soda drink containing both probiotics and prebiotics, and contains two billion living cultures.

“Now more than ever before, consumers are searching out healthier soft drinks options with a particular focus on those offering functional benefits. We believe Fhirst is uniquely placed to capitalise on this increased consumer interest,” said Fhirst creator Steven Van Middelem.

The drink is now available from Amazon at an RRP from £2.20 per 330ml can.

Image source: FHirst Living Soda

Subway launches BBQ-inspired sub range
Subway launches BBQ-inspired sub range

Sandwich chain Subway has launched its ‘Smokehouse Edition’, a range of three BBQ-inspired sub sandwiches alongside other menu items.

The new menu includes BBQ-inspired sandwiches such as BBQ Baller, Chipotle Cheese Steak and Hunter’s Chicken. It also includes new Chipotle Cheese Bites and the return of the Raspberry Cheesecake Cookie.

“There are lots of new and exciting developments arriving at Subway this month that we are excited for our fans to try,” said Rusty Warren, Subway’s senior product innovation manager.

“We’ve really dialled up the flavours with The Smokehouse Edition; three new Subs packed with smoky BBQ-inspired flavours, a flavour trend we have seen accelerate this year – across the UK & Ireland. These deliver a new and flavourful kick to our menu for you to choose from.”

Image source: Subway

Momo releases coffee leaf kombucha
Momo releases coffee leaf kombucha

UK-based kombucha brand Momo has announced that it plans to release a limited-edition coffee leaf kombucha, in partnership with coffee leaf company Headstand.

The drink’s combination of raw kombucha and coffee leaf has probiotic and antioxidant benefits, according to Momo. The resulting taste of the drink, which uses loose coffee leaves, is tropical notes combined with that of kombucha.

The drink will be available at Selfridges and Momo from 24 April at an RRP of £4.50 per 330ml bottle.

Image source: Momo

Foodhak releases spring menu
Foodhak releases spring menu

UK-based food delivery service Foodhak has released its new spring menu. Among the meals included on the menu are jerk prawn rice bowl, chicken quinoa biryani, chicken jollof rice and spicy chicken laksa.

Foodhak uses AI to scan thousands of scientific papers and work out the foods that are most beneficial to our long-term health. It then uses this information to redesign its meals to reflect this.

Image source: Foodhak

Premium mezcal launches in UK
Premium mezcal launches in UK

Premium mezcal brand Bandida has just launched in the UK, to co-inside with Cinco de Mayo on 5 May. The ‘artisanal’ brand, originally from Mexico, is completely made from agave plants and locally sourced ingredients. It is also gluten and sugar free and organic.

It is available in two versions. Bandida Black has a spicy and smoky flavour with notes of chocolate, coffee and cinnamon, while Bandida Blanco has citrus undertones and notes of fruit.

Both are available from Bandida’s website. Bandida Blanco is available from £230 and Bandida Black from £240.

Image source: Bandida