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W hile gasps could be heard across the UK as it was announced that, due to Covid-19’s impact on the brewery industry, Marmite would be unable to supply large jars of the love-it- or-hate-it savoury spread, British residents took solace in sweet jams and spreads. At the start of lockdown, products which were simple, classic and comforting were the order of the day. Food and drink which encouraged consumers to reminisce were popular – whether that be considered high or low brow – and shoppers’ desire for down-to- earth activities such as gardening and walks in nature, and the products which exemplified these, was strong. Elspeth Biltoft, owner of Rosebud Preserves believes that the past fewmonths of lockdown have led to a renewed appreciation of the simpler things in life. “Lockdown is a great leveler,” she explains. “It has given us all time to slow down and think about simpler and arguably more important things in life. One of these is food which for many years had become no more than a convenient fuel.” Home cooks old and new have rediscovered the necessary joy of utilising every last jar in the cupboard to create the culinary joy they otherwise would have experienced when dining out of home. “This period has allowed us to think of it as a great pleasure and has inspired those of us who have never, or rarely cooked, to ‘have a go,’” she continues. “We have discovered how uplifting, satisfying and superior home cooked food really is.” Based in the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, Rosebud @specialityfood 14 Preserves is synonymous with the kind of comforts consumers are looking for in their preserves; whether they’re using them in cooking or baking, or spreading them on toast. Elspeth grew up with an appreciation for the value of wild and home grown ingredients – a realisation the British public is now coming to appreciate. “Rosebud’s values are very much based around tradition and countryside themes, which I believe people have returned to for peace and solace throughout the current crisis,” says Elspeth. Now with over 60 different types of quintessentially British preserves, Elspeth believes the range “reminds today’s consumers of times past when families faced similar adversity and got through it.” Next to traditional comfort at the top of the consumer most-wanted list are health credentials – and if these can be supported by all- natural claims and provenance, all the better for the fine food shopper. At the Scottish Bee Company, the team produces a range of bee- related products including its unique Scottish Heather Honey, now classed as a superfood as a result of it being amongst the world’s top manganese-containing food products and containing high levels of antioxidants. While consumer trust of expensive manuka honeys rises and falls according to headlines, science-led credentials and industry-approved assurances like those held by The Scottish Bee Company hold real value in today’s marketplace. Suzie Millar, co-founder of The Scottish Bee Company, said: “We’re absolutely over the moon to be the first food product in the UK to have been awarded the new BSI Kitemark for Food Assurance” – evidence of the business’s focus on doing things right. “Provenance, purity, social responsibility and environmental sustainability is so important to us,” continues Suzie, “and we wanted to assure our customers around the world that when they buy a jar of our ‘Scottish heather honey’, that’s exactly what they’re getting.” With supermarket shelves stacked high with poor quality, cheap and blended honeys, The Scottish Bee Company “worked really hard to make sure we have a high quality, strong provenance message to separate us from the obviously adulterated honeys that are on the market.” The consumer demand for quality, story, provenance and trustworthiness plays to the strengths of the independent fine food retailer, so promote these credentials within your products to satisfy this hunger now and maintain it throughout the ‘new normal’. SWEET SOLACE In 2020, consumers are seeking comfort in tradition and respite in health-giving spreads Few could have failed to notice the meteoric rise in popularity of nut butters. Indeed sales figures currently stand at well over £100 million, no doubt aided by the current consumer passion for health. There are plenty on the market, from staple peanut and almond to naturally-flavoured and indulgent options, but keep an eye out for seed butters too – they could be the next big thing. TREND WATCH: NUT BUTTERS IRI DATA HAS REVEALED THAT JAM SALES HAVE BEEN OVERTAKEN BY PEANUT BUTTER SALES. SALES OF PEANUT BUTTER IN THE MULTIPLES HAVE REACHED £98.9 MILLION , COMPARED TO £96.9 MILLION OF JAM (52 W/E 25TH APRIL 2020) ROSEBUD PRESERVES GOOSEBERRY & ELDERFLOWER JAM The perfect seasonal pairing of sharp summer gooseberries with the muscat scent of wild elderflower. rosebudpreserves.co.uk JAKE’S BOOST SUPER BOOST Complex flavours with an earthiness from seeds and extra crunch from roughly chopped premium nuts. jakesboost.com NUTCESSITY COFFEE & WALNUT Made from organic and Fairtrade Ethiopian coffee beans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, toasted coconut and salt. nutcessity.co.uk SCOTTISH BEE COMPANY HEATHER HONEY Rich and flavoursome, every mouthful of this honey evokes a sense of Scotland’s unspoiled wilderness. scottishbeecompany.co.uk STOKES BLACKCURRANT JAM Laden with real blackcurrants, making it full of fresh fruit flavour and with a rich texture to savour. stokessauces.co.uk YUMELLO SALTED DATE PEANUT BUTTER Naturally sweet with a rich caramel flavour. yumello.com