Organic news: October 2023

Clearspring Launches Limited Edition 30th Anniversary Organic Okumidori Matcha

Leading authentic Japanese and organic fine food specialist Clearspring is launching an exclusive limited-edition Matcha to celebrate the brand’s 30th anniversary: Clearspring Organic Japanese Okumidori Matcha - Ceremonial Grade.

The limited-edition Organic Okumidori Matcha has been specially selected by Clearspring’s tea master Nagata-san. Okumidori, meaning ‘deepest green’, is a superior, artisanal matcha from Wazuka, in Uji, Kyoto, a place steeped in eight centuries of matcha history. Of all the tea fields in Japan, fewer than 5% are dedicated to growing Okumidori Matcha, which makes it so valuable.

The tea leaves used have been shade-grown for 20 days before being harvested to increase chlorophyll levels which gives the matcha its vibrant green colour and unique flavour. Only the freshest and youngest tea leaves have been selected from this year’s first harvest. Once picked, the leaves are stone-ground to create a fine, bright green powder which has a naturally smooth taste, whilst delivering a rich umami flavour.

Clearspring’s limited-edition Okumidori Matcha has been sustainably grown and produced to the highest organic standards, whilst working with nature and encouraging biodiversity. This allows the tea leaves to develop a full and rounded natural flavour and offer all the benefits of organic green tea.

The limited-edition launch, a first for Clearspring, offers Clearspring’s supporters and Matcha connoisseurs the opportunity to enjoy the taste of a unique, ceremonial grade Organic Okumidori Matcha and mark 30 years of Clearspring. The brand will be donating £1 from the sale of each pack of its Limited-Edition Matcha to long-term charity partner and community cookery school Made in Hackney.

Helen Browning's launching the first organic bacon without nitrates or nitrites to British supermarkets

Why is our the bacon better?

We all love bacon. Whether folded in a soft roll for breakfast or as a versatile ingredient in so many suppers. But bacon has traditionally been cured with added nitrates and nitrite salts to keep it safe, which have been the subject of health concerns in recent years.

Helen Browning has been keen to recreate our award-winning bacon without using these additives, while retaining organic integrity – and even improving the natural rich, robust pork flavour of our streaky and back rashers.

Why is it special?

The result of years of development with close partners, Houghton Hams, is bacon cured with salt and flavoured with organic fruit and vegetable extracts – lemons and the fruit of the Mediterranean carob tree. Combined with premium pork from organic high-welfare pigs has produced a rasher deserving of your attention. This is the first organic nitrate free bacon available to buy from British supermarkets.

Not all bacon is created equal

A pig’s diet is an important component of bacon quality and flavour. Our organic pigs thrive in a slow-growing, pasture-raised system that gives them freedom to roam and play within family groups. They forage on herb-rich grass, supplemented with simple cereals and with surplus organic fruit and vegetables for extra variety. If you're looking to enjoy a delicious and healthier version of a breakfast staple, nitrate-free bacon is definitely worth giving a try!

Early accolades

Helen Browning’s Organic streaky bacon without nitrates and nitrites has been recognised by the prestigious Great Taste Awards 2023 with a gold star award.

Feedback from the judges include: “Generous rashers of streaky bacon have a good ratio of fat to meat. The cure is well judged, not too salty and with a natural-seeming sweetness from the fat. The pork flavour is allowed to come through. A versatile and gentle bacon."

Tideford Organics is introducing two new world flavour-inspired soups

Tideford Organics, which has been making award-winning food for over 25 years, has undergone a rebrand focusing on flavoursome, organic, plant-only food which takes inspiration from countries around the world that know and understand the power of plants.

Taking consumers on a journey through taste with recipes specially curated by Tideford’s experienced foodie team, Tideford’s veg-packed chilled soups contain up to three of the recommended five-a-day, delivered in a more interesting and flavourful way.

Tideford Organics is introducing two new world flavour-inspired soups: Thai Green Veg Soup and Caribbean Sweet Potato Soup which will launch into Sainsbury’s and regionally in Tesco this September. The new skus join the existing world flavour soups Indian Lentil & Spinach Dhal and Malaysian Coconut & Noodle

All Tideford Organics product packaging incorporates clear five-a-day and world flavour messaging for consumers, as well as emphasising they are organic, plant-only and gluten-free.

Organix shares their latest Impact Report

Welcome to the Organix 2022 sustainability update where they share what they’ve been working on over the last year or two in their quest to become a truly sustainable business.

Access the report here.