News
Welsh Brew Tea’s ‘Cup Runneth Over’ With New Drink Range
Tea drinkers are sipping an amazing 50 million cups a year of Wales’ own branded tea, Murrough’s Welsh Brew Tea, helping the company achieve record sales.
Welsh Brew – the only tea blended specifically to complement ‘soft’ Welsh water – has seen a surge in popularity with customers looking for a refreshing cuppa.
Now the iconic brand is being expanded with the launch of a new range of bedroom beverages for the Welsh hospitality sector.
Individually and bi-lingually packaged Coffee and Luxury Hot Chocolate Drink sachets are joining the existing Welsh Brew Tea stable, which now boasts some 20 different products from loose tea and ‘string & tag’ teabags to sachets in standard retail and catering pack sizes. Tea accessories such as branded caddies, mugs and teapots are also available.
The Coffee and Luxury Hot Chocolate Drink launch completes a highly successful year for the family-run business, which has seen a tremendous growth in sales, up 48% in 2010, with a retail value in excess of £1 million.
“We are delighted Welsh Brew Tea is attracting even more new customers,” says the company’s managing director and founder, Alan Wenden.
“Welsh Brew Tea was specially created for the Welsh market. When selecting tea it is important to find the right blend to ensure the best infusion,
and consequently our tea is a special mixture harvested from the famous tea producing regions in Africa and India.”
This attention to detail has paid off for the Swansea-based business, which is bucking the national trend and recording dramatic growth.
Adds Alan, “Despite difficult trading conditions this year we predict further growth of around 18% by the end of 2011. Our aim is to double turnover in the next three years, and our new bedroom beverages are an integral part of that plan.”
Sold by all of the major supermarkets throughout Wales, as well as many independent retailers and delicatessens; Welsh Brew Tea is exported to Ireland and coast-to-coast in the USA.
“We have a firm foothold in the American market, and Welsh Brew Tea has struck a chord with Welsh people living in the US and those with Welsh heritage,” says Alan, who formed the parent company – Adwell Foods Ltd – 16 years ago.
“We are targeting the Welsh expat and Celtic market in the USA in a big way -we have just taken an additional distributor servicing the East Coast. We have also secured a new agreement with a major American speciality food chain.”
The bi-lingual packaging is already popular with the catering and hospitality industry throughout Wales with The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport and The Wynnstay Hotel in Machynlleth among the establishments – large and small – who offer Welsh Brew Tea in guests’ rooms.
Says Alan, “The tourism industry is a major contributor to the Welsh economy, and creating a ‘sense of place’ is a key part of its success. By offering Welsh branded products the hospitality and food service industries are helping to enhance the ‘Welsh’ experience for customers and visitors.”
“Where possible, we try to use local produce and we are always keen to support Welsh suppliers,” said Celtic Manor Resort Food and Beverage Director Glenn Lewis.
“Our guests like to get a real flavour of Wales when they visit Celtic Manor and many of them comment on the Welsh Brew Tea they see in their bedrooms, at breakfast and in our bars and restaurants.
“There’s something very traditional about a cup of tea and we are delighted we have such a quality Welsh supplier of this popular product.”
The award-winning Wynnstay Hotel is an ardent supporter of Welsh food and drink, and Gareth Johns the Chef Proprietor has long served Welsh Brew Tea to his guests.
“It gives our guests an extra feel for Wales,” he says.
“However, we serve Welsh Brew Tea not just because it is Welsh, but because of its high quality and the excellent service we receive.”
Welsh Brew Tea is distributed to independent retail and catering outlets via Castell Howell Foods, Brakes, Harlech Food Services, M&D Supplies and Mary’s Farm House Ltd and is available online at www.welshbrewtea.com
Tea fact file
• Tea is the most widely drunk beverage in the world.
• Tea drinking is thought to have originated about 5,000 years ago.
• The Chinese Emperor Shen Nung is said to have discovered tea by ‘accident’ when leaves from a tea bush fell into a cauldron of water he was boiling.
• The Indian Prince Badhidharma is also said to have discovered tea, by chewing the leaves to keep him awake during his travels in China.
• The famous Japanese tea ceremonies are based in the rituals of Zen Buddhist monks in China.
• All tea originates from the same plant – Camilla Sinensis – with over 3,000 varieties now grown.
• The four most common varieties of tea are: Black, Green, Oolong (a mixture of black and green), and the more rare White tea.
Ends.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Photo caption
Stirring Stuff: Alan Wenden, managing director of Welsh Brew Tea, with a selection of the company’s range.
For more photographs – including images of products – please contact:
Sheila Coleman on 01792 410994 / 07968 357474 or email sheila@colemanroberts.co.uk
For more information about Welsh Brew Tea and products please contact:
Alan Wenden
Welsh Brew Tea Ltd
Whitecliff House
57 Higher Lane
Langland
Swansea
SA3 4PD
Tel: 01792 363391
Email: info@welshbrewtea.com
www.welshbrewtea.co.uk
Bendigedig! Recipes to celebrate St David’s Day
March 1st is St David’s Day so why not celebrate by cooking up some new recipes with a Welsh twist using Collier’s Powerful Welsh Cheddar?
Collier’s was inspired by Wales’ proud industrial heritage. Its characteristics reflect those of the coal miner – reliability, power and integrity – while its distinctive black packaging shows a miner’s face.
Collier’s is a cheddar with a unique long, powerful, creamy and slightly sweet taste. And unusually it contains tantalising “crunchy bits” which are actually tiny salt crystals, evidence of the cheese’s high quality.
It is the perfect ingredient in a range of recipes, more of which can be seen at www.collierscheese.com
These recipes all have a Welsh flavour and are bendigedig – wonderful!
Collier’s Cheese Welsh Cakes
Welsh cakes are a traditional Welsh favourite and it was customary to cook them over a heavy, flat, iron pan called a bakestone. Traditionally they are sweet, but for a savoury taste sensation, swap the sugar and sultanas for Collier’s Powerful Welsh Cheddar. These are great fun to make with children and cook in a few minutes on a hot frying pan.
For 20 Collier’s Welsh Cakes:
225g self-raising flour
110g butter
75g Collier’s Powerful Welsh Cheddar, grated
10g Parmesan, grated
4g fresh chives, chopped
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Pinch of salt
1 egg, beaten
Sift the flour, and then rub in the butter until crumbly.
Add the both the cheeses, chives, cayenne and salt and gently mix.
Add the egg and mix to dough. If the mixture is a little dry add a spot of milk, until dough is formed.
Transfer the dough on to a floured working surface and roll out to 5 mm (¼ inch) thick.
Using a 6.5 mm (2½ inch) plain cutter cut the dough into rounds. Re-roll the trimmings until all the dough is used.
Heat a heavy flat frying pan on a medium heat (traditionally a heavy flat iron pan called a ‘griddle’ pan or bakestone was used). Now grease with a little vegetable oil, using a piece of kitchen roll.
Cook the Collier’s Cheese Welsh Cakes in batches of 4 to 6 for about 3 minutes each side until golden brown. If they are browning too quickly, turn the heat down so they cook in the middle.
They should be fairly brown and crisp on the outside.
Serve immediately while still warm, with butter if you like.
Collier’s Welsh Rarebit
3 egg yolks
50ml brown ale
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
200g Collier’s cheddar
4 shallots – finely diced
3 x traditional muffins, cut in half
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Toast the muffins on both sides. Spread a layer of the cheese mix on top, quite thickly, and grill until brown and bubbling.
Collier’s Cheese, Leek and Chilli Muffins
The leek, like the daffodil, is the national emblem of Wales. Shakespeare refers to the custom of wearing a leek as an “ancient tradition” in Henry V. The leek is seen on the cap of the Welsh Guards and boys will be wearing them to school on March 1st, while girls will wear a daffodil.
These muffins are really easy to whip up and make a nice change in lunchboxes.
For 10 muffins:
200g self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch of English mustard powder
1 medium leek, finely chopped
1 medium red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
100g Collier’s Powerful Welsh Cheddar, grated
80ml milk
100ml vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
Heat oven to 180° C / 160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4.
Line muffin tins with 10 cases.
Mix all first 6 ingredients gently together.
Now add the milk, oil and egg and fold together to form mixture.
Spoon the mixture evenly into the muffin cases (top with a little extra grated cheese if desired)
Bake for 25 minutes, then check to see if they are done.
Enjoy warm or cold
Note to editors:
For more information, images and samples please contact Leigh Roberts on 01656 788336 or 07739 511466 or leigh@colemanroberts.co.uk
Guaraná Antarctica bottles Tesco thirst for Brazilian spirit
Brazil’s favourite soft drink, the legendary Guaraná Antarctica, is set to launch a new 500ml bottle format across 182 Tesco stores across the UK.
Brought to the UK by Fayrefield Foods, Guaraná Antarctica is already available at Tesco as a multipack of 6 x 330 ml cans.
One of the most iconic Latin American brands, the 500ml PET* bottled variant will be ranged in the sports and energy fixture of the soft drinks aisle.
It will be available in store from Monday 27th February at a special introductory promotional offer of 25 per cent off.
Becoming increasingly popular outside Brazil, Guaraná Antarctica is a uniquely flavoured fruity carbonated soft drink, made from the fruit of the guaraná berry and has been enjoyed by Brazilians since 1921.
As Brazil prepares to host the World Cup in 2014, and the Olympic Torch passes from London to Rio De Janeiro in 2016, Guaraná Antarctica is uniquely placed to take advantage of the growing interest in all things Brazilian, and will be working with the Brazilian Government and Embratur* during this summer’s London Olympics.
As a principal sponsor of the Brazilian national football team and official drinks sponsor of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, it already enjoys massive global recognition.
Fayrefield Foods Business Manager Mike Coleman says:
“We are thrilled that Guaraná Antarctica fans will have greater choice at Tesco, and that Tesco is moving the brand into sports and energy, the fastest growing sector within carbonates. Containing guaranine, a natural stimulant similar to caffeine, this fixture is the brand’s natural home, and we are delighted that Tesco has chosen to introduce a second variant, the 500ml PET bottle.
“Its bright and bold packaging has great shelf appeal and evokes the fun loving and frisky Brazilian spirit.
“Soon we will be introducing the CBF* logo onto the front of pack to mark the Brazilian football team’s official endorsement of the brand.
“Brazil is already the next hot destination as it prepares for the World Cup and the Olympics. Associated globally with the thrilling Rio carnival, its reputation is set to become even more centre stage.”
The brand, owned by ABInBev, is the second biggest selling soft drink in Brazil, the global leader in its category, and currently ranked among the top 15 most sold soft drinks brands in the world.
Guaraná Antarctica is also available at Waitrose, Harvey Nichols and independent retailers across the UK.
Note to editors:
Contact Michael Coleman on (01270) 589311
michaelc@fayrefield.com
6 x 330ml canned variant RSP £4.49
*Polyethylene terephthalate
** Embratur – Brazilian Tourist Board
* CBF – Brazilian Football Confederation
Judges Chew Over Final List For The Wales The True Taste Food And Drink Awards
They have sipped, chewed and crunched their way through hundreds of food and drink products, and for the judges in the 10th annual Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards their job is done – theirfinal choices now kept tightly under-wraps.
Over the past decade the Welsh Government managed Awards has highlighted excellence in the food, drink andhospitality sectors, creating awareness of the quality and range of produce and services in Wales.
This year’s competition saw a tremendous 1,017 entries from 366 companies, with the preliminary judging taking place in Pembrokeshire College, ColegLlandrilloCymru, and UWIC in Cardiff.
These were whittled down to an elite group of 208 products, which underwent the final round of taste judging at Sketty Hall, Swansea where the judges decided who should receive the coveted Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. The judges also undertook the first round of judging of the people and places categories.
Read more »
Collier’s great taste of Wales comes to Australia
Cheese lovers could be saying “Shwmae”* instead of “G’day” following the launch of Collier’s Powerful Welsh Cheddar across Australia.
For the first time the award-winning cheddar will be available in some 800 Coles stores in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Read more »
Fayrefield Foods launch super premium Spanish crisps San Nicasio
Fayrefield Foods are set to launch a new super premium crisp from Spain in the UK – San Nicasio Patatas Fritas.
Hand made with extra virgin olive oil, Catalan potatoes and Himalayan pink salt, they are produced in the Córdoba mountain range in Andalucia, the centre of the olive growing region in Spain.
The distinctive pink bags are used in the best Spanish delicatessens, hotels and restaurants where they are famed for their high quality ingredients, unique taste and texture.
Created by four times gold medal winning Rafael del Rosal, the crisps are slow cooked in extra virgin oil from the first press of olives grown at nearby groves.
This extra virgin olive oil has “Priego de Córdoba” denomination of origin and is recognised as being amongst the best olive oils in the world.
San Nicasio also contains Himalayan pink salt which is rich in minerals and trace elements, its pink colour reflecting its high iron content.
