Reviving traditional confectionery
27 April – As the demand for healthier, lower fat and more natural products grows, confectioners have found that old fashioned confectionery classics still go down well with young and old shoppers alike.
Responding to consumers’ re-kindled love for those familiar favourites, confectioners have focused much of their attention on placing modern twists on such classics as meringue, popping candy, toffee, marshmallow and sherbet.
To further meet the exacting demands from the industry, Pecan Deluxe has taken recipes and techniques, which have been perfected over 40 years, and subtly adjusted them, retaining important features of their American character that are increasingly popular on this side of the Atlantic, and fine tuning them with European ingredients.
As competition within the confectionery industry intensifies, businesses are looking for more unique options to ensure their product’s point of difference and place in the market. Not only do items need to look delectably appetising and be mouth-wateringly tasty but they must also be cost efficient for manufacturers to produce.
Recognising consumer demand for old fashioned favourites, Pecan Deluxe has created familiar, yet new sweet sensations such as fizzy popping candy, zingy lemon bark and sumptuous dark chocolate coated meringue pieces, which can be used in a wide range of applications including, bakery, food service, ice cream and as additions to other confectionery items such as chocolate.
Inclusions suppliers are under increasing pressure to deliver unique ingredients, whilst delivering guidance on product combination to ensure that manufacturers are given the maximum choice and flexibility. If done correctly, these inclusions can inspire new product development specialists to create exciting new lines, increase market share and boost sales.
Commenting on the notable sea change in the confectionery industry, Pecan Deluxe’s managing director, Allan Dew says, “We have deliberately designed and developed our range of ingredients and additions – and all new products – to provide indulgent and creative tastes, textures and shapes to ensure food manufacturers can produce products that are individual, distinctive and delicious.
“The revival of old fashioned sweets has had a huge impact on the direction of the confectionery industry and we are already seeing that those who have been successful have not only re-introduced these products but managed to create something new and wonderful from them. ‘Adding indulgence to indulgence’ seems to be a motto resonating with manufacturers and we have positioned ourselves perfectly to be able to feed this demand.
“Founded on the principles of delivering cost effective, indulgent inclusions, we can show food producers how to turn retro products into contemporary classics. For example, using the ‘Wagon Wheel’ as inspiration, a manufacturer could create an instant sense of nostalgia by sandwiching a gooey, sweet layer of marshmallow, which has been blended with micro cookie and crème pieces, between two wafer-thin buttery shortbread biscuit layers and enrobing it all in deep, unctuous chocolate.”
Although the trend for the moment is new takes on old-fashioned sweets, who knows what lies around the corner. Will the illustrious ‘Walnut Whip’ make a comeback and will there be a modern twist on it? Perhaps the whip will be infused with the popular cookie dough aroma?
“Demand for Pecan Deluxe products continues to grow and the success of the company has been achieved by always being at the forefront of product development and working with our customers to develop the creative and original products they demand. New product developments will continually drive the production of new sweet inclusions with confectioners who are always striving for innovation. What we can offer in terms of ingredients, product innovation and specialist recipe formulation knowledge will help them to achieve their goals,’’ concludes Dew.
