Monday, 28 March 2022 11:23

Kiwi plant-based milk wins big at international awards

Written by  Staff Reporters
Kabocha Milk Co has received two awards at the World Food Innovation Awards in London. Kabocha Milk Co has received two awards at the World Food Innovation Awards in London.

Hawke’s Bay company Kabocha Milk Co has scooped two international food innovation awards at the 2022 World Food Innovation Awards in London.

The company was awarded “Best Health and Wellness Drink” and “Best Plant Based Beverage”.

Held in London this year, the awards considered entries from over 22 countries before choosing final winners from across 25 categories.

Kabocha milk is a vegan, preservative free, cholesterol free milk-like product made from Kabocha squash. All stock of the product is manufactured and exported to Japan and Korea.

The business has plans to reach over 5,000 stores across Japan, Korea and China in the next few years.

“We’re on cloud nine and really chuffed that an idea created in little old New Zealand can take on and beat some of the big industry heavyweights again in innovation,” says Kabocha Milk Co chief executive Shane Newman.

He says the company is planning to expand its product portfolio into new flavours, “as well as getting in the race to develop alternative proteins using the amazing health benefits of Kabocha.”

Founder Sachie Nomura says she is proud to bring her two homes – Japan and New Zealand – together with the product.

“We are very unique in the market in that we are true farmer-to-chef-to-bottle experience and with borders lifting we love the idea of bringing some of our major customers down to New Zealand to enjoy our warm hospitality, and see exactly where their beautiful ingredients are made from.”

More like this

Substitute for cow's milk?

OPINION: Scientists claim to have found a new way to make a substitute for cow's milk that could have a radical effect on the dairy industry.

Fake milk

OPINION: The plant-based milk industry is booming, and new milks are appearing all over the place.

Fake milk bid

OPINION: Producers of 'fake milk' now want a slice of the action at the World Coffee Championships (WCC).

Fake milk fails the test!

OPINION: Most plant-based 'milks' have lower amounts of four key nutrients - phosphorus, magnesum, zinc and selenium - than cow's milk. The exception is milk substitutes made from pea protein, which have broadly similar levels to cow's milk.

Holy cow - milk is best!

OPINION: Plant-based beverages are expensive and provide only a small fraction of the nutritional goodness of cow’s milk.

Featured

Fruit fly discovery 'concerning'

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says that discovery of a male Oriental fruit fly on Auckland’s North Shore is a cause for concern for growers.

Fonterra updates earnings

Fonterra says its earnings for the 2025 financial year are anticipated to be in the upper half of its previously forecast earnings range of 40-60 cents per share.

Nedap NZ launch

Livestock management tech company Nedap has launched Nedap New Zealand.

National

Hewett appointed AgriZeroNZ chair

Rob Hewett has been appointed the new chair of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development of tools…

Machinery & Products

New home for JCB Agriculture

Power Farming has announced a new chapter in its partnership with JCB, which having represented the UK-based company’s construction equipment…

CAT's 100th anniversary

While instantly recognised as the major player in construction equipment, Caterpillar Inc, more commonly known as CAT, has its roots…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Ruth reckons

OPINION: Ruth Richardson, architect of the 1991 ‘Mother of all Budgets’ and the economic reforms dubbed ‘Ruthanasia’, added her two…

Veg, no meat?

OPINION: Why do vegans and others opposed to eating meat try to convince others that a plant based diet is…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter