UK Company Invests in Ice Cream Ingredients

ingredients

There is more room for new ingredients in ice cream products, according to Jenny Baillie, Business Development Manager of leading European inclusions is pioneer Pecan Deluxe Candy (Europe) Ltd.

Despite its recent £3m investment in high tech manufacturing and storage facilities, the company remains true to its roots when it comes to pralines. Nearly 70 years ago Pecan Deluxe was founded in the US, the name derived partially in tribute to the delicious praline pecans that elevated its ice cream way beyond the retail curve at the time. Now, almost seven decades and three international branches later, Pecan Deluxe still manufactures its pralines the traditional way – combining real butter and sugar in copper pans to produce premium quality praline inclusions for confectionery, cereals, beverages, ice cream and other desserts and snacks.

Jenny Baillie explained: “Whilst pralines originated in the southern USA, they have since become an undoubted favorite across multiple sectors in the UK and Europe. The ice cream sector grows year on year, currently generating around £1bn of sales in the UK, and praline pecan consistently appears in the annual list of the top 20 flavors. Similarly, the market for savory snacks in the UK is the largest in Europe at more than £1.3bn in value, with the highest growth rate of all Western European countries; we can thank praline nuts for at least some of that growth.

“New trends are on the rise: for example, adding different textures and health benefits such as protein and fiber to indulgent foods – and nuts are a great way of achieving this. Our R&D department is constantly looking for new ways to advance the scope of our praline inclusions, creating new flavors and applications such as chocolate, bakery products and snack mixes. Our team is dedicated to finding new ways to apply our inclusions to gain an edge within key sectors, and we’re convinced that pralines have so much more to offer as a premium ingredient bringing a unique combination of flavor, mouthfeel and health benefits to the table.”

Pecan Deluxe manufactures its pralines in a dedicated segregated nut facility, supplying multiple sizes from whole to extra small pieces in either frozen or ambient form. The food tailor works with food producers to develop bespoke flavored options and other retail solutions.

All Pecan Deluxe products, including traditionally made but innovatively flavored fudges, molded chocolate shapes, brownie pieces and praline nuts, are made using natural colors and flavorings in strict allergen controlled, BRC double A grade facilities. The company is constantly innovating to develop new flavors and textures and can create bespoke products tailor-made to customers’ requirements.