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The Leftovers is a look at some of the product ideas that are popping up everywhere. Some are interesting, some sound amazing, and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. We can’t write everything we suggest, so here are some leftover items from our inbox:
Kraft Mac & Cheese is getting into the Thanksgiving spirit.
Kraft Mac is giving consumers a way to combine two iconic Thanksgiving dishes with a new apple pie flavor, Kraft Mac & Cheese.
The CPG giant said the idea for the new Mac & Cheese came in response to sweet and savory combinations that maintain consistent flavor trends. Kraft Heinz also pointed out that consumers have a long history of topping their slices of apple pie with cheddar cheese.
The limited-time offer is available only through Walmart’s e-commerce platform.
“This holiday season, we wanted to create a memorable experience for Mac & Cheese fans that feels as unexpected as this flavor combination,” Cheryl Barbee, Kraft Heinz director of communications for Kraft Mac & Cheese, said in a statement.
Barbee also added, “This is the beginning of even more amazingly delicious innovations to come from the brand.”
Kraft Heinz is looking for new flavors to add a new twist to the classic Mac & Cheese. Last year, it launched a full range of bagel flavors, and in 2021, it launched a limited-edition Candy Kraft Mac & Cheese that includes a “candy flavor packet” that turns the noodles pink.
The unique product launch comes as more consumers, especially younger shoppers, seek out new and novel flavors.
Many people have incorporated trends they see online into their everyday baking and cooking. Manufacturers have taken note by launching products that merge the flavors of two foods that don’t normally go together to increase awareness of their brands.
— Christopher Doering
Tillamook launches new seasoning for perfect grilled dishes cheese
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Provided by Tillamook
Team Butter or Mayonnaise? With Tillamook’s limited edition spread, you don’t have to choose a side (or condiment).
The Tillamook County Creamery Association has launched Butternaise, a new spread created in collaboration with Japanese mayonnaise brand Kewpie. The seasoning is a blend of Tillamook Extra Creamy Unsalted Butter, Kewpie’s recently launched Organic Mayonnaise and some spices.
Tillamook positions butternaise as a key ingredient in its melty yet crunchy grilled cheese sandwich.
“This creamy spread is meant to be liberally lathered all over your choice of bread to create the perfect golden crust for your grilled cheese sandwich masterpiece,” the dairy company said in a statement. “You never knew you needed it, but you won’t be able to live without it.”
The spread, which was on sale on Tillamook’s website, sold out in less than two minutes after it was released on November 6, the brand said in an Instagram post.
Seasonings and sauces are no longer your assistants. As more and more consumers eat at home and experiment with restaurant-quality dishes, they are looking for innovative ingredients and seasonings to elevate their meals.
According to Innova Market Insights, the global sauces and seasonings market continued to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6% from 2019 to 2024.
— Sarah Zimmerman
Boston Beer’s cannabis cocktail brand expands into gummies.
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Provided by Boston Beer Company
Cannabis cocktail brand Emerald Hour is expanding its product line to include THC gummies.
The Boston Beer brand is releasing peach and white grape flavored jellies that are a nod to the classic cocktail. This product contains 5 mg of THC and is sold in two-pack containers. THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana.
The jelly, infused with raw rosin and solvent-free diamonds, is available in pharmacies throughout Ontario and Alberta, Canada.
“Boston Beer Company is known for crafting high-quality beverages, and we’re bringing the same commitment to excellence in our gummies,” Paul Weaver, head of cannabis at Boston Beer, said in a press release.
Emerald Hour drinks launch in January 2025 with a lineup of RTD non-alcoholic cannabis cocktails. It is currently available in flavors such as Agave, Lime & Sea Salt, Cranberry & Citrus, and Ginger & Lime in 600 dispensaries across Canada. Each canned cocktail contains 10mg of THC.
Another of Boston Beer’s cannabis offerings is TeaPot, a cannabis-infused iced tea that launched in 2022. The THC business is headquartered only in Canada, and Boston Beer does not disclose specific sales data for that unit.
Cannabis has provided another avenue for beer giants to diversify their portfolios as alcohol consumption plummets. But regulatory uncertainty in the U.S. has kept many businesses in Canada, where the drug is legal.
—Laurel Deppen
