This month sees the official launch of ōForest, an innovative new food brand bringing the very first taste of Madhūka to the UK market. The fledgling brand, which has been two years in development, is the brainchild of four family entrepreneurs who have come together to create a portfolio of products, all using the newest superfood secret – the Madhūka flower. Already legendary in the communities local to where the Madhuca Longifolia tree is found, the forests of India, Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, Madhūka is now set to take the UK by storm thanks to its naturally nutty, caramel-like taste and rich nutritional benefits.
Rich with fibre, vitamins, nutrients and minerals including potassium, manganese and vitamin B3, all are 100 per cent natural, organic, gluten-free and vegan. The trio of products span multiple categories all under one umbrella brand – ōForest – and include; Nibs, Powders and a range of five Teas.
Madhūka. Hand harvested and sun dried before being expertly roasted to intensify the flavour, this unique production process ensures the nutritional benefits of the flowers are retained. Co-Founder Meera Shah says: ōForest has been created as an umbrella brand for sourcing unique ingredients from the world’s forests and creating exciting new products that are good for you, good for local communities and good for the planet, with sustainability at its core. We chose to launch with Madhūka after we stumbled upon it on a trip to India and 2020 and instantly recognised its potential. A natural superfood, it possesses many health properties that local people have benefitted from for thousands of years, particularly in Ayurvedic medicine. Not only do the products possess a multitude of health benefits but also, most crucially, taste delicious. Launching entirely new ingredients is like gold dust, so we can’t wait to hear what people think”.
The Madhūka range is the first launch from ōForest, who are partnering with small, forest-based producers to bring unique, high quality products to the UK in a socially and environmentally sustainable way. Testament to this, for the production of Madhūka, ōForest has designed and developed harvesting nets, which help the local farmers, their communities and the surrounding environment. Thanks to the nets not only is a better quality of product harvested but productivity is quadrupled, the local environment is protected and wastage and carbon emissions are significantly reduced.
The Madhūka range is currently available to buy through the ōForest website with retail launches planned for later this year. The wholesale range is also available to independents direct from ōForest.
Madhūka Nibs: Crunchy in texture with a sweet-yet-delicate flavour, that’s balanced with darker, meltier notes from being roasted, the Nibs are suggested as a snack or topping for breakfast dishes, yoghurts and desserts (RRP: £6.95 / 100g pack)
Madhūka Powder: The Powder brings a nutty, caramel flavour to drinks and smoothies and perfect for porridge. It’s also recommended as a great addition to home baking as it brings a natural sweetness (RRP: £8.95 / 100g pack)
Madhūka Teas: Sourced from an area with a rich history of tea collection, the Madhūka Teas are available in five great tasting, caffeine-free flavours (RRP: £7.95 / 18 tea bags) ōForest works in partnership with local farmers to sustainably source the highest premium grade
