In this issue of Food and Drink Matters, we are delighted to present Joy Spread as our Artisan Spreads Company of the Month.
In 2014, a brother and sister duo decided to change the direction of their lives. Peter and Rita Lauer always had a deep love of gelato and after building an ice cream kitchen in Rita’s house the business quickly expanded to opening their first pizza/ice cream restaurant called LUSSO in Newbury in 2016. This was followed four years later with another in Didcot, strategically just 3 weeks before COVID hit.
Having weathered strange times, the siblings wanted a new challenge and after identifying a gap in the market, the concept of Joy Spread came up. Since the selection of spreads in retailers was all very much the same and without much recent innovation, the stage was set to shake up the spreads’ section!
Joy Spread essentially transfers the punchy flavours and unique textures of their favourite gelato into an ambient spread. The aim was to produce the next generation of spreads, with luxurious flavours and exciting textures, unlike anything else.
Last summer, the spreads were unleashed onto the unsuspecting public via numerous foodie events with crunchy pistachio and crunchy coconut emerging as firm favourites. The overwhelming feedback was positive to say the very least, confirming mission accomplished, and with market research completed it was time to start focusing on wholesale.
The range now includes original crunchy pistachio, smooth pistachio, smooth and crunchy hazelnut, smooth and crunchy coconut, crunchy salted caramel and peanut, and crunchy chocolate hazelnut. Some of their spreads also cater to free from diets with options for the gluten free, vegan, lactose intolerant, with sugar free varieties in the pipeline.
Although the spreads can be enjoyed as a dessert in their own right, they also offer a variety of uses as topping sauces on desserts or as filling creams in pastries and cakes. Certainly, in their own restaurants the siblings use the spreads to fill croissants with pistachio, make hazelnut tiramisu, crunchy hazelnut & chocolate covered waffles, coconut cheesecake or salted caramel & peanut brownies. The options are truly endless.
Joy spreads are available in glass jars with a beautifully designed label and premium packaging – an elegant reflection of the exceptional quality Peter and Rita have carefully crafted. Customers at home can drizzle them on pancakes, porridge or ice cream, as cookie or cupcake fillings, or simply on their own with a large spoon!
Commercial sized tubs (1.3kg and 3kg) are also available to trade customers looking to elevate their delicious desserts or pastries to another level. Ideal for bakers, chocolatiers, delis, coffee shops, ice cream parlours, or at any venue where treats are offered.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Joy Spread has arrived! They are now ready to be stocked on retailers’ shelves in jars, or to compliment your current ingredients in your kitchen’s desserts section.
For more information, or to request samples, please visit below:
www.joyspread.co.uk