Member Article

Nim’s in a tea cup as crisp manufacturer launches new drink options

The UK’s only manufacturer of air-dried fruit crisps is promising to revolutionise the drinks industry by launching its own range of tea and infusions.

Nim’s Fruit Crisps, which has been recertified to Grade ‘A’ BRC food standards at its Sittingbourne facility, is now selling the first ever edible teas, which are available in beetroot and parsnip, pineapple and kiwi and pineapple, beetroot and parsnip varieties.

The ‘drink and snack in one’ is available online and through selected independent retailers and is made exclusively of dried fruit and vegetables, making it a healthy alternative to caffeinated or herbal teas.

“We are on course for our best ever year, with our crisps now available in Co-Op, through online specialist Ocado and in more than 1400 Tesco stores,” explained Nimisha Raja, founder of Nim’s Fruit Crisps and the recent winner of Woman and Home Super Entrepreneur 2018.

“With our core products doing very well, we decided to look at other ways we could use air dried fruit and veg and our R&D team came up with the idea of fruit and vegetable teas. We completed some initial market research and ‘tastings’ proved very successful…the appetite was definitely there for these products.”

She continued: “They taste great - eaten or drank - are high in fibre, vitamin C and can make up one of your five a day.”

Nim’s hasn’t stopped there with its R&D efforts, also releasing a new infusions range of air-dried slices for use in cold and hot drinks.

They remove the need for fresh fruit, reducing waste and prep times in bars, restaurants, travel and the leisure industry.

“Initially, we’ve got cucumber, lime, lemon and orange flavours available, with the latter already being used by one of the UK’s leading coffee shop chains. The infusions have proved immensely successful, especially over the Christmas period - now we’re looking forward to seeing sales grow in 2019,” added Nimisha.

She concluded: “The infusions rehydrate in liquid, adding natural flavor to drinks. There is an appetite for healthier, yet adventurous drink choices and these certainly meet that criteria and more.”

All Nim’s products are manufactured using just one ingredient and are fat, gluten and dairy free, as well as being Vegan, Kosher and Halal certified. They are also really convenient given their long shelf life.

They are manufactured at its bespoke allergen-free facility in Sittingbourne where, after recent investment in new equipment, it is capable of producing over 15 million packs of crisps a year.

In light of Brexit, the company redoubled its efforts in gaining additional presence in countries outside of the EU, resulting in distribution deals being agreed with Hong Kong, Israel and South Africa.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .