ZENZO FLAVOUR AND TEXTURE SECOND TO NONE

Executive Director of Sales and Marketing at Chalmers

Organics, Daniel Chalmers, shared that the plant-based food developer and manufacturer created its dairy-free cheese range, under the company’s Zenzo brand, for consumers as it aligned with the company’s values.

onsumers need dairy-free products both for the benefit of their health and that of the planet,” revealed Mr Chalmers.

Mr Chalmers elaborated that when Zenzo created its range of dairy-free cheese, the market for dairy-free cheese available to consumers differed from its traditional counterpart regarding flavour, texture, and functionality.

Zenzo’s cheeses, particularly its cheddar, have filled the hole in the market, with its flavour and texture second to none. Mr Chalmers said the company was the first to create plant-based cheese in New Zealand that melted its traditional counterpart.

“Our cheddar and mozzarella hold first place prizes at the vegan cheese awards in both categories.”

As well as the cheese awards, Mr Chalmers shared that its market sales data reflects the popularity and consumer love for Zenzo’s products. Zenzo’s cheddar and mozzarella kinds of cheese have been in first and second place in the New Zealand market for many years. This can be attributed to comparability to its traditional counterparts.

Zenzo’s cheddar is slightly sharp and drier than the mozzarella, which is softer and mild, as one would expect from mozzarella. Both melt as conventional cheese would, which they are renowned for by consumers and differing organisations alike.

Mr Chalmers revealed that Zenzo would release a range of feta, blue, and cream cheeses in the market this year, the characteristics of which the Executive Director assured would be equal to traditional cheeses. The company’s current new release of grated cheese and mild and tasty cheese slices has been received well by consumers.

With plant-based alternatives becoming increasingly popular, Mr Chalmers shared that this popularity in plant-based diets and lifestyles has been noticed, with a significant uplift in the last three years, which Mr Chalmers stated has begun to settle.

The category has maintained its significant market share and has held onto the rapid growth it gained within this time.

“It grew so quickly that it was overdue to settle down. We have been making plantbased foods for 25-plus years, so we are used to the ups and downs.”

Previously the company had specialised in tofu. However, consumer interest and demand have allowed Chalmers Organics to expand into cheese, yoghurt, sour cream, aioli, and more, under its Zenzo brand.

Mr Chalmers described the changes in demands as a consequence of consumers becoming more knowledgeable about the impact of their food choices, with a growing realisation of why plant-based diets matter. Consumers are looking for animal-free, low-cholesterol alternatives, and environmentalism has become equally important as caring for oneself.

For the future, Mr Chalmers hopes that whole foods will be the market leader.

“Whole Foods can bring positive change to the human body. While I support dairy and meat alternatives as a great step in the right direction, the true future of food should be whole foods and preferably organic.”

Zenzo’s philosophy towards plant-based foods centres on giving animals and the planet a break while providing consumers with healthy options that avoid cholesterol. Mr Chalmers stated that Zenzo uniquely focuses on quality equivalent taste and texture experience. The company takes pride in creating options for consumers that don’t compromise on the factors of traditional counterparts that consumers enjoy.

Mr Chalmers shared that the company promotes plant-based lifestyles for many reasons. However, a significant one is related to encouraging more vegetables into consumers’ diets, with balance being the key feature the company promotes. n

Award-Winning Plant-based Cheese

Savour, an award-winning premium plant-based epicurean cheese company, was launched by Auda Finan in 2017.

Savour aims to produce delectable plant-based foods to satisfy any cheeseloving connoisseur that can complement any platter or cheese board.

A highlight for Savour was its Supreme Award win in the 2022 New Zealand Vegan Cheese Awards, coupled with the brand’s Silver Award winner in the 2022 New Zealand Artisan Food Awards.

Savour’s mission is to grow the plantbased dairy category by launching premium dairy alternatives in more stores targeting health, environment and ethics-led consumers across New Zealand.

The brand’s range of vegan cheeses is crafted as a functional food from activated, cultured cashews, rich in protein and loaded with billions of probiotics for digestive health.

Savour’s premium economic everyday range of feta, ricotta and butter has received positive consumer feedback for its comparative texture and flavour equalling traditional cheeses.

Stocked at selected supermarkets throughout New Zealand, including New World, Moore Wilson, Farro, Fresh Choice, and Raeward Fresh. n

Veesey Cheese

Dairy-free products that deliver on taste

Dairy-free products that deliver on taste and convenience are what the Veesey range of products is all about. The Goodfood Group Veesey cheese range is packaged in bright yellow to reflect the brand’s aim to provide everyone with simple, easy and tasty dairyfree products.

Veesey’s dairy-free cheese range includes Grated Mozzarella that is perfect and convenient for melting, Mozzarella Blocks to serve everyday cheesy kitchen needs, and Tasty or Cheddar slices for an easy, delicious sandwich on the go.

All Veesey Cheeses are gluten, soy, lactose, and palm oil free. The cheeses are instead created using coconut oil.

Veesey products are available in all leading supermarkets throughout New Zealand. n

plant-based protein LESS LAND, LESS WATER, MORE INNOVATION

Plan*t is a Sustainable Foods brand founded by Justin Lemmens and Kyran Rei, who have a combined 40 years of experience in food manufacturing and hospitality.

With the fast-growing plantbased industry and consumer interest in sustainable, environmentally-friendly food products, Lemmens and Rei have created a range of New Zealand-crafted plant-based products for conscious New Zealand consumers.

Part of the plan*t business model is its field-to-plate approach, where the company has mindfulness of the environmental impacts of its ingredient sourcing across its production, packaging, ecosystem, and partnerships. Meats and dairy use the vast majority of farmland (83 percent), producing 60 percent of agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions. Plant-based protein uses 47-99 percent less land and water resources, making it an appealing alternative.

Each of plan*t’s products is natural, with minimal processing, containing pea and soy proteins, and crafted using novel ingredients like New Zealand-grown hemp. None of the products contains artificial flavours, preservatives, or colours. All products are also GMO, hormone, and antibiotic-free.

Products in the plan*t range include plant-based Chick*n, Crispy Chick*n Strips, Southern Fried Chick*n, Ground Mince, Chick*n Nugget, sausage in Sage

& Onion, and Spicy Chorizo flavours, and burger paddies in Smokey Chipotle, Classic Hemp, and Crispy Chick*n flavours.

Brand ambassador TJ Perenara shared that he wanted to be part of a project that enabled him to make an impact.

People seem to think that moving to a plant-based diet means all traditional foods are off limits, but it’s not the case – with plan*t, you don’t need to miss out on anything,” said Perenara.

With over 1.5 million New Zealanders eating less meat, plan*t’s protein-rich and varied plant-based product range is suited to consumers searching for health-focused, environmentally friendly proteins that can support an active lifestyle while eating less meat.

With a range of wins across flavours and innovative awards, plan*t also seeks to minimise its environmental impact through various factors, including recyclable packaging materials and local ingredient sourcing using plant-based food technology in New Zealand. n

Deliciously Prepared

Vegetarian roast with all the flavour of a traditional Sunday lunch with less saturated fat. Nothing brings people together like a classic roast dinner, cater for everyone with our meat-free alternatives.

Wade Vuletich, Monde Nissin New Zealand wade.vuletich@mondenissin.com

Tempeh Deli

Tempeh Deli has a range of award-winning tempeh traditionally made in New Zealand from local and sustainable grown organic lupins.

It is a wholesome plant-based product packed with protein, dietary fibre and flavour.

Tempeh Deli’s wholesome white lupin tempeh is an excellent alternative to soybean products and other highly processed plant-based products.

The company’s range includes flavours Original, Mediterranean, Seaweed Tamari, Savoury Mince, and BBQ Burger.

Each product is conveniently pre-marinated with a fine blend of natural herbs and spices, our tempeh can be used in a range of dishes.

Every pack serves two, and all are free of preservatives and gluten.

For more information, please visit www.tempehdeli.co.nz. n

New in the Deli

Flip Grater is the awardwinning Christchurch restaurant owner and cookbook author behind Grater Goods. Grater Goods is New Zealand's first-tomarket plant-based deli and charcuterie range in the chilled deli meats aisle.

Grater Goods has committed itself to craft carefully curated, delicious plant-based products for food lovers without compromising environmental ethics.

Available now in a convenient sliced format, Grater Goods Plant Pastrami is a sweet, smokey, and spiced 'corned beef' style meat alternative. Perfect to be used as a vegan New York Reuben, it can be eaten alone on platters or added to dishes as a beef substitute. Grater Goods pastrami is sweetened using beetroot and allnatural ingredients and can be eaten hot or cold.

Flexitarians, meat reducers, vegetarians and vegans can look forward to Grater Goods range expanding as it welcomes three new variants to the charcuterie range. Sliced Pepperoni, Sliced Chicken and Chorizo Sausage are category firsts and perfect for sandwiches, pizza toppings, soups, pasta, and grazing boards.

Grater Goods Plant Pastrami 100g is available nationwide at New World, PAK'nSAVE, Moore Wilson, Supervalue, and Fresh Choice.