When we looked at all of the product development targets it was clear that balance was going to be key to achieving a flavour that was not artificial or overpowering, whilst also creating a texture that was both soft and juicy.

After many rounds of development, and trying multiple approaches, we had landed on a base recipe that was the perfect balance of sweetness, sugar content, clean flavour with a soft and juicy texture. We also carried out several rounds of testing with our partner laboratory to ensure that technical aspects such as pH and water activity were on point, allowing for confidence on the shelf life and stability of the end products. From here, the flavours were tweaked and perfected to offer a range of products that meant there was something for everyone:

• Pear Crumble

• Salted Caramel

• Very Berry

• Peaches & Cream 

In the early stages of the project, we looked at both co-manufacturers and the possibility of in-house production. For a number of reasons it became clear that the best fit for launch would be for the guys to produce everything themselves in-house, meaning they would also have full control over the quality of the products. With this in mind throughout the development process we made sure all procedures were transferable to their desired setup, with the potential for scale-up in the future. We set up training sessions, and due to Covid restrictions were able to carry these sessions out remotely, using video techniques, allowing the guys to refine the techniques and perfect the process in situ.

We’re pleased to see Tasty Mates have such a very successful launch, especially during these challenging times. With big listings with WH Smith and Holland & Barrett for launch, and other retailers interested already, we’re excited to see big things from Tasty Mates in the coming months!