Tesco has announced that it is set to launch the UK's first gin derived from discarded grapes.
Hyke Gin is the result of a collaboration between the Kent-based fruit supplier Richard Hochfeld Ltd and craft spirits producer Foxhole Spirits.
Tackling Food Waste
Tesco spirits buying manager Andrew Hargreaves said, "We are always looking at innovative ways to tackle food waste and work closely with our suppliers to do just that."
Every year, around 1.4 million punnets of table grapes are discarded during the packing process at Richard Hochfeld Ltd.
The technical director at Richard Hochfeld, Karen Cleave, explained, “For packing, the grapes are cut and trimmed to fit the punnets, leaving loose grapes and tiny bunches that can’t be sold as fresh.
“The size of the trade means that these lovely fresh grapes – equivalent to the weight of about 3.5 blue whales – end up as compost, animal feed, or in an anaerobic digester," added Cleave.
Hyke is described as having a distinctive taste, characterised by a rich, sweet citrus tone and smooth, spicy and complex aromas.
'Unique Product'
The managing firector and co-founder of Foxhole Spirits, James Oag-Cooper, commented, "We knew that there was something special that could and should be done with this quality by-product, so we applied our expertise and craftsmanship to the challenge.
“The result is a totally unique product, which tastes exceptionally delicious, is beautifully presented, sustainably conscious and yet still affordable," added Oag-Cooper.
The gin, priced at £24 for a 500-millilitre bottle, will be sold exclusively at 300 Tesco stores from 18 March.
"There couldn’t be a better time to launch Hyke. Gin is the drink of the moment, with demand for premium-quality varieties rocketing by nearly 90% in the past year," Andrew Hargreaves added.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
