Enco Products, pioneers in the UK’s world foods category, is set to shake up the functional beverages market with the launch of Marley’s Mellow Mood™ – a range of all natural relaxation drinks featuring Bob Marley on-pack.  

The launch coincides with fast-growing consumer demand for functional beverages, introducing a brand bearing the name of a global music icon who appeals to people from all walks of life.  Marley’s Mellow Mood™, which has been developed and will be marketed in partnership with the Marley family, comprises two 355ml carbonates in cans, berry and citrus (rrp £1.59), and two 473ml iced teas in glass bottles, peach raspberry passion fruit black tea and green tea with honey (rrp £1.79).   

The relaxants are made from all natural ingredients proven to reduce stress and relieve tension.  Consumers buying Marley’s Mellow Mood™ will be able to participate in a ground-breaking affinity programme that enables them to support Bob Marley’s vision of hope and unity. They will be able to select worthwhile causes and charities around the world which will benefit from the proceeds of Marley’s Mellow Mood™ sales.                                         

The programme will be managed by the charitable website, 1love.org, created by the Marley family to support three main causes: youth, planet and peace. “This is much more than a celebrity-led brand launch. Bob Marley is a global icon whose words and music changed the world and a figure to whom millions of consumers of all ages and ethnicities still relate today,” says Enco Products Marketing Manager Nyree Chambers. 

“Marley’s Mellow Mood™ is the embodiment of Bob Marley’s philanthropic vision of ‘one world, one love’ and we are confident it will evoke a spirit of social responsibility among consumers, enabling them to help the lives of others around the world via 1love.org.” Marley’s Mellow Mood™ will be backed by national sampling and advertising and an extensive social media campaign.

A wide range of POS will be available and plans are underway for a Marley-themed concert in 2011.   “Rising numbers of consumers are actively seeking authentic brands with which they can connect on a personal level. Marley’s Mellow Mood™ has real depth and substance and will engage people in a way that very few other brands can. It’s a powerful proposition for retailers looking for products that can really resonate with consumers,” adds Nyree Chambers.  Enco Products has been appointed to handle sales and marketing in the UK by the Marley Beverage Company, a partnership between US-based Viva Beverages and the Marley family.                                                 

Kick start your New Year diet by adding coconut water into your daily routine. Hailed by celebrities in the US including Madonna, Courtney Cox, Jessica Simpson and Demi Moore, it seems the craze hasn’t quite caught on in the UK just yet – but we’re predicting it will as Brits try to beat the post Christmas bulge in 2011.

Coconut water is great for detoxing and boosting the immune system as well as helping to alleviate nausea and naturally settling the stomach – so not only will it ease the morning after the New Year’s Eve party, but it’ll set you up as you mean to go on from January 1^st – and help you to shift a few pounds at the same time!

It may been seen as a ‘new’ drink, but coconut water has been enjoyed for years in tropical climates such as Jamaica, the Far East and Brazil, and Grace Foods – established in 1922 – is surprised it hasn’t caught on before. Nyree Chambers, Marketing Manager at Grace Foods, comments: “Coconut water isn’t a new product to Grace, but we’ve noticed its popularity increase dramatically since the summer when celebrities began to talk about its benefits.

“Not only is it a delicious drink – it has so many health benefits it’s fantastic. It’s also stiff competition against sports drinks as it re-hydrates faster than energy drinks and is fat free – so it’s great for gym bunnies that need to cool down quickly but don’t want to replace the calories they’ve just burnt off.

”So what’s the secret to coconut water? Well, it’s packed full of natural electrolytes – it actually balance matches the level in human blood - including potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium and phosphorous.

These minerals are vital for muscle movements, nerve transmission and brain operation to name a few. The water – which comes from young green coconuts – also boasts thirst quenching properties, is rich in vitamin C, combats fatigue and can act as an aid to slimming as it reduces fluid retention.

We are pleased to announce that great tasting Encona Sauces is an official associate sponsor of the popular English Heritage Picnics and Tatton Park.

Throughout the summer, the Encona Sauces team will be attending each concert to samples great range of hot and spicy sauces - the perfect accompaniment for any picnic and al fresco dining occasion.

Visit the official Encona Sauces website and facebook page to see how you could win tickets to one of the 14 concerts!

The concerts schedule:

Saturday 26th June 2010     - Kenwood House

Saturday 3rd July 2010        - Kenwood House

Saturday 10th July 2010      - Kenwood House

Saturday 17th July 2010      - Kenwood House

Saturday 17th July 2010      - Audley End

Saturday 24th July 2010      - Audlay End

Saturday 31st July 2010      - Kenwood House

Saturday 31st July 2010      - Audley End

Saturday 31st July 2010      - Tatton Park

Sunday 1st August 2010      - Tatton Park

Sunday 1st August 2010      - Audley End

Saturday 7th August 2010    - Kenwood House

Saturday 14th August 2010  - Kenwood House

Saturday 21st August 2010  - Kenwood House

Olympic and World 100m Champion Shelley Ann Fraser has joined the Grace Foods team as a brand ambassador. The sprint sensation will be promoting a range of our products and we're hoping to see her in the UK later this year. Watch this space! 

• In a large serving bowl, whisk all the dressing ingredients together.
• Add the prawns, oriental cabbage, red pepper and carrot to the dressing.
• Give the salad a good mix before adding the radish, spring onions, bean sprouts, Jasmine rice and herbs.
• Finish the salad by adding the sliced egg, some more of the dressing if desired and serve. Enjoy!

• In a large bowl, add all the salad and vegetables and mix well. Leave to one side.
• Heat the olive oil in a frying pan.
• Cook the prawns for 3-4 minutes with the garlic and then transfer to the salad.
• Finally mix the yoghurt with the Encona Indian Sweet Mango Chilli Sauce, water and coriander, drizzle over the salad, give everything one last toss and serve. Enjoy!

• In a large bowl, lightly break up the crab with a fork. Stir in the corn flour and breadcrumbs. Season with salt and milled black pepper.
• Add the coriander, spring onions, lime juice, egg white and Encona Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce and combine all the ingredients together, trying not to break the crab up too much.
• Divide the mixture into eight equal parts and shape into small patties.
• Dust a tray or plate with a little corn flour and place the crabcakes on.
• Chill the crabcakes in the fridge for 15 minutes to allow them to set slightly.
• Gently heat the groundnut oil over a low to medium heat and cook the crab cakes for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until golden and crisp.
• Drain the crabcakes on kitchen roll and serve whilst hot with a dipping bowl of Encona Thai sweet Chilli Sauce, lime wedges and fresh coriander. Enjoy!