'They also offer the highest fruit content': Northern Ireland ice cream maker scoops success with açai superfood sorbet
Co Down producer sees strong demand across Ireland as new granola-topped dessert gains listings and prepares for launch
Acai berries in a new sorbet from Glastry Farm Ice Cream in Kircubbin, Co Down is proving a major success with health food enthusiasts here and in the Irish Republic.
A major food wholesaler in Cork is the latest to list the creamy dessert.
Based on a successful family dairy farm, Glastry, run by founder Will Taylor and managing director Gareth Taylor, developed the new healthy product from an original acai berry sorbet as a base that’s now topped with seasonal fruit and a crunchy granola layer. It sources milk from its own pedigree Holstein herd for the ice creams and sorbets.
The new granola topped sorbet is set to be launched next month in the Food NI Food Pavilion at the RUAS event at the Eikon Centre, Balmoral Park.
The farm produces a range of award-winning dairy ice cream with the sorbets, the latter are gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free, vegan, suitable for vegetarians and low in fat and sugar.
“They are also high in fibre and contain enhanced levels of antioxidants and omega 3, providing consumers with added health benefits,” Will explains.
“They also offer the highest fruit content within the sector and with advanced technology our range is a market leader,” he adds.
The latest acai berry, fruit and granola topped sorbet was developed by Glastry in collaboration with food technologists at Loughry college of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in Cookstown.
Acai berries, Will continues, are small, round, dark purple fruits that grow on acai palm trees in Central and South America. “They’ve been used in traditional medicine there for generations. And their popularity has grown as people here have realised their superfood status.
“The berries are packed with nutrients that provide countless health benefits. High in antioxidants, this superfood offers many health benefits, including improving digestion, lowering cholesterol and protecting against chronic cardiac and other diseases.
“Acai also contains phytosterols, which are plant compounds that block the absorption of cholesterol and aid in the body’s reduction of how much cholesterol enters the bloodstream. Keeping cholesterol levels in a healthy range lowers your risk of serious conditions,” he adds.