Double C vitamin drink in Thailand is now available in powder format. From liquid to powder, functional beverage brands are exploring new ways to offer greater convenience to consumers to make their products relevant to more consumption occasions.
Chester’s, a fast food restaurant business in Thailand under CP Foods, has released a new crispy chicken dish with sweet fish sauce and mango. With the arrival of the mango season (March-July), foodservice operators and FMCG players are looking at new ways to incorporate mango in their products and offerings.
Cremo has launched a new probiotic ice cream in Thailand. The latest release Pilot Strawberry Yoghurt Ice Cream with Probiotic and Strawberry Flavoured Sauce is an ice cream that has received the Healthier Choice logo from the government as it is low in sugar, fat and sodium. The concept of probiotic ice cream is still novel and underdeveloped in the Thai ice cream category, which means probiotic ice cream is worth exploring.
In another development, Cremo has launched the new Choco Crush ice cream in Thailand.
Ichitan is tapping into the Japanese know-how with the release of a new functional water that helps Thai consumers to sleep better. The Thai beverage giant’s latest pH Plus water contains medical-grade CBD hemp extract with alkaline water to promote deep rest and maintain body balance. The new beverage tackles common issues faced by modern consumers including stress, anxiety, and poor sleep quality.
We see functional beverages targeting three key areas namely energy including both mental and physical energy, digestion including weight management and stress and mental wellbeing. pH Plus with CBD plays in the area of sleep and mental wellbeing.
Wall’s Calippo has released Lightsaber Ice Cream in two fun flavours – Strawberry and Blue Lemon. The latest ice cream has a strong visual appeal and taps into the strong Star Wars fanbase in Thailand. Wall’s Lightsaber Ice Cream is priced at THB 20. We see strong potential for Wall’s Lightsaber Ice Cream beyond Thailand to capture the interest of Star War fans in the region.
In another development, Wall’s has collaborated with Horlicks to launch Dark Chock Crunchy to deliver an indulgent tasting ice cream featuring Horlicks.
Vitaday (General Beverage) is capturing the morning wake-me-up occasion with the new functional vitamin water Energy Water. The latest release contains taurine, caffeine and vitamin B complex to keep consumers fresh and rejuvenated. This sugar-free option, which also contains vitamin C, can serve as an alternative to energy drink.
Vitaday Energy Water could be the precursor to caffeinated water, which is a concept that is more readily accessible in the West. The choice of word is important as ‘energy’ carries a more positive messaging than ‘caffeine’, which often carries a negative connotation in the local context.
Best Wok (PT Surya Pratista Hutama) has launched a new healthy noodle in Indonesia and is certified as a Healthier Choice (Pilihan Lebih Sehat) product. The new Best Wok Instant Corn Bihun (Instant Corn Vermicelli) is non-fried, halal and is gluten free. Best Wok Instant Corn Bihun is available in two flavours – Original and Hot & Spicy.
Oatside flavoured oat milk (200ml) is now available in Indomaret minimarket outlets in Indonesia. Oatside (200ml) is available in Barista Blend (IDR 7,900), Chocolate (IDR 7,900) and Milk Coffee (IDR 8,900). Click here to buy on Klikindomaret.
The 200ml pack size allows Oatside to offer consumers with an affordable price point. The growing flavour choices also makes Oatside a strong contender in the plant-based beverage and RTD coffee segments.
Shah Alam, April 7, 2023- Pasta is a Malaysian favourite but the usual method of making the sauce in one pot, boiling the pasta in another, then combining in an oven proof dish before sprinkling with cheese and grilling takes time, and creates a mountain of washing up.
When you want that home-cooked organic deliciousness with minimal effort and maximum flavour, Alce Nero™ is here for you with organic pasta and organic pasta sauce.
Alce Nero™’s farm-to-table concept is made possible by working with its network of organic farmers, making the produce much healthier as they are grown without pesticides or synthetic chemicals, non-polluting and with no Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) to meet global organic certification standards. All Alce Nero™ products are certified organic displaying European Organic Certification and the Japanese Organic Certification.
Alce Nero™ pastas are made in Italy from durum wheat. It is rich in folic acid, iron and lutein, high in protein and dietary fibres while having a low glycaemic index[1]. Whilst tomatoes form the basis of many pasta sauces. Tomatoes rank in the top ten most pesticide laden crops according to a 2017 EWG Dirty Dozen report[2]. This is a good reason to pick up any of Alce Nero™’s delicious organic pasta sauce on your next grocery run.
Try Alce Nero™’s solution for time and effort saving organic deliciousness; the one-pot pasta meals are localised to Malaysian tastebuds from prep to table in under 45 minutes and all in one pot. These recipes were developed by Retna Vijayan, a business owner and mother-of-three, who cooks dinner for five every weekday.
One Pot Alce Nero™ Pumpkin Pasta Lemak
The creamy consistency meets savoury flavours of pumpkin are a feast for everyone. Heat the oil to saute the onions, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, chillies, kaffir lime leaves, and the pumpkin in a large pot. Add the prawns and stir until they are just done. Fish the prawns out and reserve to decorate each serving. The pumpkins should be softening up.
Add the Alce Nero™ Organic Penne Rigate and the chicken broth (or water). Stir well, bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low which brings it to simmer. Add the Ayam Brand Coconut Milk for a creamy, silky sauce. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Add the fish sauce or light soy sauce, black pepper and half the chilli flakes if necessary. Stir well, then taste. Adjust to taste with more salt or spices. Cook the pasta until al dente. You should be left with a thick sauce that clings to the penne at this stage.
Dish into serving bowls, top with the reserved prawns, drizzle with a little Alce Nero™ Extra Virgin Olive Oil, sprinkle with some chilli flakes and finely sliced lemongrass and/or kaffir lime leaves. Delicious!
One Pot Alce Nero™ Mamak Chicken Soup Pasta
One of the simplest pasta but the taste is worth much more than the minimal effort. Fry a stick of cinnamon, 3 cloves, a star anise, minced garlic, a red and yellow quartered onion, a few finely sliced red chillies and grounded pepper in a large pot until fragrant. Then add the chicken soup spice powder and fry for few minutes.
Add the cubed chicken breast and fry until opaque. Next add chicken stock, pounded ginger, cubed potatoes, sliced carrot and celery and bring to the boil. Then turn the heat to medium, and add the Alce Nero™ Organic Macaroni to cook until al dente. If you’d like more soup, stir in a cup of water.
Serve in soup bowls, garnished with coriander leaves and fried shallot. Perfect on a rainy day.
One Pot Alce Nero™ Minestrone Fusilli
Minestrone can be the comfort food for busy weeks as you can add any vegetables to make this pasty heartier. Recommended to use Alce Nero™ Fusilli Tricolore with its distinctive orange and green strands derived from tomatoes and spinach adds the goodness of organic vegetables while making the meal more exciting for the kids too. Add diced onion and carrots, minced garlic, sliced mushroom and celery, halved cherry tomatoes, ground black pepper, chilli flakes, 2 sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary, Alce Nero™ Fusilli Tricolore, Ayam Brand™ Sweet Cup Corn, Ayam Brand™ Garden Peas and Alce Nero™ Vegetable Pasta Sauce to a large pot, mix well. Boil on high heat.
Once contents have come to a boil, reduce to simmer, stirring occasionally to keep ingredients from sticking. Cook until the pasta al-dente and well-coated in sauce. Turn heat off, fold in the spinach until wilted and dish into individual bowls.
This is an incredibly easy and forgiving recipe that you can dress up or dress down based on your preference. Change up the vegetables according to your choice or what is available in your fridge, add plant-based meat or regular meat. Add more pasta sauce and/or water if you like a soupier consistency. If you have more time, you can fry the garlic, onion and spices for more fragrance and flavour but if you don’t, it will still taste amazing.
This recipe works best with a short pasta such as fusilli that can ‘hold’ the hearty ingredients.
One Pot Alce Nero™ Viral Miso Butter Mushroom Spaghetti
This viral dish leaves you wanting for more. In a large pot, sauté the onion and mushrooms using butter on low heat. For more flavour, allow the mushrooms to brown. Stir frequently. Remove a quarter of the mushrooms, and reserve for garnish.
Add the garlic and stir fry to fragrant but not crispy. Now add in the Alce Nero™ Whole Wheat Spaghetti, chicken stock and water, and bring to the boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer until 1 to 2 minutes before the al dente cooking time on the pack. Stir occasionally. Most of the water would have been absorbed at this point. Add in the miso butter sauce, and stir well to incorporate and coat the spaghetti. Stir, stir, stir. Once pasta is done, dish into serving plates.
Top with reserved mushrooms, a sprinkle of chopped spring onions and a pinch of cracked black pepper. Earthy, comforting and just as good as what you’d get at your favourite cafe. This is why it’s a viral recipe!
Malaysians can use Alce Nero™ products with confidence as it is certified Halal by official certification bodies recognized by JAKIM.
Availability
Alce Nero™ products are available at AEON, Ben’s, Cold Storage, Giant, Jaya Grocer, Village Grocer, TF Value and via the Ayam Brand Shopee Official Store (https://shopee.com.my/ayambrandofficialstore) & Ayam Brand Lazada Official Store (https://www.lazada.com.my/shop/ayambrandofficialstore/)
For more time and effort saving recipes that you can enjoy, please visit https://alcenero.asia/recipes.html and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AlceNeroMalaysia/
Joined by its partners, Coca-Cola Malaysia reaches out to the less fortunate during their month-long Ramadan community program
Kuala Lumpur, 6 April 2023 – Coca-Cola Malaysia once again steps up its efforts in giving back to the underprivileged communities and spreading cheers to the needy this Ramadan, true to its ‘Real Magic’ brand philosophy of bringing people and communities together and creating a long-lasting positive impact on the society.
This year, Coca-Cola Malaysia joined forces with new partners K Fry Urban Korean and Pizza Hut Malaysia, as well as strengthens existing collaborations with Yayasan Kemanusiaan Muslim Aid Malaysia, MYDIN Malaysia, and Marrybrown.
“We are also very pleased to be able to support the efforts of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) this Ramadan through the donation of ‘Bakul Rahmah’ to the B40 group and the ‘Bubur Lambuk Rahmah’ initiative which will be distributed to communities in need at various locations which have been identified throughout the country, together with MYDIN Malaysia,” said Khairul Anwar Ab Gahani – Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability Director – Company’s Bottling Investments Group for Coca-Cola Beverages Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.
The world’s largest non-alcoholic beverage company Coca-Cola has lined up a series of Ramadan Iftar and Food Aid under the banner of Fast2Feed program across the nation, including key locations such as Mydin malls at Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Sarawak, and Johor, benefiting orphans and underprivileged communities of more than 4,000 recipients.
“The Fast2Feed Program is a long-term initiative that we have carried out with Yayasan Kemanusiaan Muslim Aid Malaysia during Ramadan, and we are very honoured to be part of this meaningful initiative every year. Coca-Cola Malaysia has been playing an active role in this initiative for more than 10 years, and we look forward to continuing serving the community together for many years to come,” added Khairul.
In addition to working closely with its existing partners, Coca-Cola will also be doing programs with its newest partner – K Fry Urban Korean in the ‘K Fry Kare’ Ramadan program. Under this initiative, Coca-Cola and K Fry Urban Korean will be visiting eight selected orphanages within the area of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan with Ramadan activities such as Iftar sessions with the children and donations to the welfare homes, as the brand’s way of sharing Ramadan blessings with the children.
The brand is also privileged to have support from Pizza Hut Malaysia in the distribution of Iftar packs to more than 200 beneficiaries in East Malaysia.
“Our local community will always be the heart of our business and operations at Coca-Cola, whether it is our very own employees or customers, to even all Malaysians. With over 85 years of footprints in Malaysia, we strongly believe that it is our shared responsibility to help those in need, and we are always ready to create that positive impact out there,” added Khairul.
Coca-Cola Malaysia will also be hosting an Iftar event at Masjid Enstek, for Coca-Cola employees to break their fast with local residents living around its bottling plant in Bandar Enstek.
Other programs include the inaugural mass-iftar event with underprivileged communities at Kampong Gelam, Singapore, as well as collaborating with Geylang Serai Community Club and Burger King Singapore on food pack distribution programs.
