Monday 20 March 2017

New Swedish Glace Almond Dairy Free Ice Cream

I have a conundrum - to rejoice, or... not to rejoice. 

Which shall it be I wonder?

Technically, perhaps I should be rejoicing - not so long ago, there wasn't a great deal of choice when it came to dairy free ice cream - mostly it was made with soya, or cashews, which was fine for the Kiddo, but not so great for me, as I'm intolerant to both!

Then there was Dairy free Dream's Almond Ice Cream and more recently Alpro's new Coconut Ice Cream, that really met my  dairy and soya free ice cream needs, and now here is a new ice cream that aims to do the same:


Here it is!


'So where's the conundrum?' you might ask.

Well...

For some, the announcement that Wall's (who now own Swedish Glace), has produced a new dairy free ice cream made with almonds, is not so good. For them, the question arises as to whether the soya ice cream that Swedish Glace still make as well, will be cross-contaminated with nuts - by virtue of being produced on the same machinery. If it is - I think the information regarding this has yet to be gathered. 

Whilst this doesn't directly affect me, as such, it could affect Kiddo She is not nut free, but her school is. They sometimes buy this ice cream for her and other dairy free individuals at her school. Should it prove not to be nut free, her nut-free school will be unable to provide it any longer. 

Anyway, in the interests of research, I have of course, ho hum... sampled it. And here's what I found out:


What's in it?

Well, it ticks a lot of the boxes for me: no dairy, no soya, no cashews and it's specifically labelled as gluten free.

Ingredients:
Water, sugar, glucose syrup, almond paste (5,5%), coconut oil, fat reduced cocoa powder (0,8%), pea protein, stabilisers (locust bean gum, guar gum, carageenan), emulsifier (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), flavouring, acidity regulator (citric acid), salt.

Allergens in bold

It's also Vegan approved.


Ready to consume...


What is it like?

Hmm! Again I have a quandary. It's creamy at first taste, a bit like the old Wall's ice cream, and the texture is great - really smooth. However, the cocoa doesn't really feature very strongly on my taste buds - where did it go? And there is the small matter of an after taste. Not unpleasant but not particularly pleasant either. Am not sure where it comes from. However, it doesn't last for long, so this I could perhaps overlook.


How much?

From Ocado, where we bought it, it is £3.99. A tad more pricey than the soya version, which is £2.20 at Ocado. I've not noticed the almond version anywhere else just yet.


Looks good!

In Summary:

It's an interesting move by Wall's, but could backfire if they lose the customers who have hitherto been loyal, due to the nut free soya version.

I wouldn't refuse it if it was served to me, but if I had a choice, I would opt for the Almond Dream dairy free and soya free ice cream, which I reviewed here, or the new Alpro ice cream which I reviewed here.


Update:

Walls (who make Swedish Glace) have confirmed it's made on the same equipment but say that it is cleaned between batches (info via Clare Hussein @allergy_mumof1 on Twitter). They say the tub does not carry a 'may contain nuts' warning, as they believe it is safe. 

Many may beg to differ. I would exercise caution, if you are worried. 

A friend who spoke with someone in the food industry told me about the extent a completely nut free factory went to, in order to prevent traces would end up in their finished product. They even used a vacumn-type corridor to hoover any potential dust traces off clothing, on the approach to their manufacturing equipment, to try to make sure nothing was left to chance. Walls clearly wouldn't meet those standards.


Please note: 
This post is not an advert. I have not been paid to write this post. I am not sponsored in any way, even by advertising. I do not receive products free to review, although I have often been offered them. This is to try and maintain an unbiased approach. All views expressed are my own (unless I've asked for The Hub's or Kiddo's). I try to tell is 'as-it-is'.


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Wednesday 1 March 2017

Great Big Dairy Free Easter Egg Hunt 2017

It's March already!!

I don't know, if, like me, you have been scouring the shops for signs of dairy free Easter eggs, but here is my annual round-up. As before, it's not exhaustive, but should give you an idea of the main movers and shakers, where they can be found and how much they might cost - but always be on the look-out for multi-buy offers!

First of all, it may help to know what's in the different brands of chocolate - especially if you are battling more than one allergy.

At a glance Allergen Chart:



Dairy Free

Gluten Free

Soya Free

Nut Free

Vegan

Booja Booja


Y


Y


Y

-

Y

Choices


Y


Y

Soya Lecithin

Y

Y
Hotel Chocolat (dark)

*Made without


Made without

Soya Lecithin

-

-

Kinnerton


Y

Y

Soya Lecithin

Y



Moo Free


Y

Y

Y

May contain


-

Montezumas


May contain


Y

Y

May contain

-

Plamil


Y

Y

May Contain
(unless ‘None of this’

Y

Y

Hopefully, this table will help you as you read this post, so you know which brands will be suitable for your requirements and can scan down to the bits that are relevant for you.

Please note: 
  • Y = yes
  • 'Choices' does not say 'nut free' on the packaging, but a nut free mum interrogated them on this issue and was happy with their response. 
  • Some brands appearing in this chart are not officially included in my round up, because they are not dedicated free from and may not be suitable for all. However, you may want to check them out if you are Vegan, or can tolerate 'May contain' chocolate. Montezumas may contain milk traces. The same also applies to Hotel Chocolate and Divine. Always check labels - some dark chocolate may still contain milk, it will depend on the recipe. If you're not entirely sure, as to whether their products are okay for you, it may be worth contacting them, before making a decision about whether to buy. 

Now, let's not waste any more time faffing, let's get straight to business - with the main brands listed in alphabetical order


Booja Booja

Pricey but gorgeous!
Okay this is the luxury end of the market. This post lists brands in alphabetical order, so if these are not for you, scroll on by! Their gorgeous papier mache handcrafted eggs contain their delicious truffles. Currently found in Holland and Barrett, often found in health food shops and can be obtained via Ocado.


Large Booja Booja Egg
Small Booja Booja Egg

Ocado


£24.99


£9.99

Holland & Barrett


-

£9.99



Choices

Tesco's finest? Actually Choices, otherwise known as 'Celtic Chocolates'

Often disguised as the supermarkets 'own brand'. Widely available, they come in an increasing variety of shapes/sizes and even flavours! Dairy free, gluten free, egg free, nut free.



Small Choc Egg & Buttons
Milk Egg & Choc. Disc
Milk Egg & buttons
Belgian choc egg
&Truffles
Milk Egg & Caramels
Dark Choc. Egg
Choc. Bunny

Asda


-


*£4.00
(orange)

*£3.00

*£5.00

-

-

£0.99

Tesco


*£2.50
(also in white)


*£3.00
(also in white)

-

-

*£4.00

-

£1.00


Morrison’s


-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Sainsbury’s


*£2.50


*£3.50

-

-

£3.50

£3.50

£1.00
(also in white)

Waitrose


-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ocado


-

-

-

-

-

-

-
Holland & Barrett


£2.89
(also in white)

£4.99

-

-

-

-

£1.29
(white)

TKMaxx









*Supermarket ‘own brand’


Sainsbury's own is definitely Choices!


Kinnerton

Slightly different packaging to last year, surprising variety of pricing. They also make Marks and Spencer's Free From Easter Egg. Sadly no sign of their Easter Bunny this year. Dairy free, gluten free, egg free, nut free.


Kinnerton Dark Chocolate Egg

Asda


£5.00


Tesco


-


Morrison’s


£4.00

Sainsbury’s


£6.00


Waitrose


-

Ocado


-
Holland & Barrett


-
Home Bargains


-


Moo Free

Popular brand

A popular free from brand, found in many stores. They have a range of three eggs all the same size. Prices vary from store to store, but watch out for multi-buy deals. Dairy free, soya free, gluten free, egg free, may contain nuts.



Moo Free Milk Chocolate
Moo Free Orange Flavour
Moo Free Bunnycomb

Asda


-


-


-

Tesco


-


-

-

Morrison’s


£4.00

-

£4.00

Sainsbury’s


£4.00


-

-

Waitrose


£4.25

-

£4.25

Ocado


£3.99

£3.99

£3.99
Holland & Barrett


£4.99

£4.99

£4.99



Plamil

Loving this year's bunny packaging!

Plamil has upped the anti this year, by introducing this cute Easter bunny packaging.I think Kiddo will love this one. Plamil also make Holland and Barrett 'own brand' Easter eggs see here. Dairy free, gluten free, egg free, nut free. made without soya, but may contain soya. They supply D & D chocolate, see here.

Plamil also make a soya free chocolate, called 'Lots of this, none of that'

Chocolate bunny bars - similar in size to Choices
If you can't find these in your nearest Holland and Barrett, you can order from their website, or directly from Plamil online.


Online Brands:

If you can't find the chocolate you want locally, there are places to look online. Check out the following brands:


Cocoa Libre


This chocolate I have tried and can vouch for! They are very yummy indeed!! A full review of what I made of them can be found by following this link. No Easter eggs as such but last year they brought out some Easter chicks to add to their little lambs!

You can buy Cocoa Libre online from their website, or through the stockists listed on their website, see here. Some of Cocoa Libre's range can also be bought online from Holland and Barrett.


D and D Chocolates

From what I understand, their chocolate is supplied by Plamil, so meets the same standard. Their range is great for any dairy free Easter egg hunts. You can view it here.

These small solid chocolate eggs (they had new packaging last year) have proved very useful in the past!

We love these!

For those who prefer it, they also do a range of carob.


Online Stores:

There are a number of online shops that stock dairy free Easter eggs, some of which have already mentioned, along with a few other tasty treats. These stores include:


Just be aware when buying dairy free chocolate from online Vegan stores that although some chocolate labelled Vegan will be suitable for those with milk allergies, you do have to watch out if you are severely allergic, as some Vegan chocolate is made  on the same lines as normal milk chocolate, and therefore 'may contain milk'. Such chocolate may cause reactions in those who are very sensitive.


Check out the supermarket's ranges for yourself here:


Tesco's range





NBavailability may vary according to are/store size - search using your postcode, on their websites, to find out what's available local to you.


Other places to check out:

Health Food Stores
Farm shops
Vegan stores
Bargain stores such as Home Bargains/TKMaxx - occasionally they come up with real gems!

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