Egg shaped

With Easter just around the corner, my thoughts have turned, naturally, to eggs. Like lots of products that were once seasonally exclusive, certain egg-shaped confections are now popular and therefore available all year round. Of course, products such as Kinder Surprise stand out in this category, and dare I mention the Cadbury Cream Egg! At least there are now plenty of other options for those who have been disappointed by recent well-publicised changes to the formulation…

So, when it comes to creating something that really is exclusive, there is more pressure than ever to come up with an offering that is new and different – and of course only available for a limited period!

Innovative colours, flavours and flavour combinations and textures abound. Some of them perhaps have novelty value rather than appearing particularly appetising, to me at least. Marmite and Pot Noodle flavour eggs are two that spring to mind. Both went on sale in the UK for the first time this year after Unilever teamed up with Kinnerton. I can’t say that either particularly appeals to me, but then again, who knows. I wouldn’t like to say for sure, having tried neither. And I do know that one particular London chocolatier counts Marmite truffles as one of his best sellers, so they can’t be all bad… However, an egg flavoured with sea salt caramel would be much more up my street or London Gin in fact… now that sounds good…

Of course packaging is another important way in which products can be made to stand out. However, although we are all attracted by the look of a product, there has been plenty to think about in terms of recycling over recent years. According to WRAP Easter egg packaging was cut by 25 per cent and, in some cases, by as much as 50 per cent in 2009 by leading confectionery brands, manufacturers and retailers.

Over the past six years, many companies have reduced their packaging by huge amounts using simple measures such as leaving the hard plastic out altogether and decreasing the size of the cardboard box.

Some manufacturers use 100 per cent recycled cardboard and others give clear recycling instructions on the packaging. Things have certainly moved on.

There’s no excuse not to find just the right sweet treat for everyone. Eggs are available to meet all sorts of dietary needs and requirements – from organic to dairy free. They’re the ultimate indulgence…