Merchant Gourmet is excited to introduce a new line of ready-to-eat, drain-free bean pouches, now available at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and Ocado.
This UK-based brand, renowned for its quality pulses and grains, has launched three convenient pouches. Customers can enjoy these beans straight from the pack or heat them in the microwave for just 90 seconds. Additionally, each pouch features Italian extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt, enhancing the overall taste.
The new offerings include Jumbo Chickpea, a ‘5 Bean Medley’ consisting of cooked cannellini, borlotti, kidney, black, and giant butter beans, and Smoky Black Turtle Beans. Notably, the turtle beans are infused with paprika and chilli, delivering a smoky flavor with a subtle hint of spice.
This latest launch by Merchant Gourmet arises from an escalating demand for pulses and beans. Kantar data reveals that nearly one billion units of prepared beans and pulses were sold in the UK last year, reflecting a significant shift in consumer purchasing habits.
Richard Peake, MD at Merchant Gourmet, highlighted a convergence of three influential trends leading to an “explosion” of interest in the beans and pulses category: the plant-based movement, the heightened awareness of the downsides of ultra-processed foods, and a growing focus on gut health.
“So, consumers are hunting for minimally processed, high-protein, and high-fibre foods,” Peake stated. “And of course, we wanted to add a little Merchant Gourmet magic to make the humble bean even better tasting and even more versatile.”
Micheala Neame, head of product at Merchant Gourmet, emphasized that the brand has closely listened to consumer preferences for taste and convenience. In essence, they have “developed the range that takes the hassle out of tins and gets rid of bland brine to focus on and accentuate the flavour of the beans themselves.”
The range is currently available at Sainsbury’s and Ocado, with a rollout at Waitrose scheduled for 11 November. The recommended retail price is £2.25 per 240g pouch.
