Start-up Spotlight: Thailand's Plento, Australia's Kommunity Brew, Sri Lanka's English Tea Shop and more feature in our round-up

Best of both worlds: Plento to debut nutrient-rich snacks made from pea protein and cricket flour in South Korea​

Insect foods start-up Plento is set to launch its range of baked crisps containing pea protein and cricket flour, which the firm claims counteract nutrient limitations of snacks made solely from plant-based protein, in South Korea this February.

Plento’s baked crisps are created with pea protein, cashew nut flour, flax seed, and cricket flour — the result of nearly three years of development at Singapore Polytechnic’s Food Innovation & Resource Centre (FIRC).

The firm is a joint venture between Bugsolutely Bangkok and Asia Insect Farm Solutions (AIFS) Singapore.

Bridging the gap: Kommunity Brew hopes new probiotic drink can combine taste and health benefits​

Australian Kombucha firm Kommunity Brew is venturing into the hydration and probiotic drink space as it seeks to grow nationwide.

The brand places significant value on its partnerships with independent grocers run by mainly families or locals, emphasising a shared sense of purpose and values.

CEO Mason Bagios reveals that Kommunity Brew currently has a limited presence in mainstream supermarkets, specifically Coles in western Australia.

Cocktails with a twist: English Tea Shop employs cold brew tea expertise for gin botanicals range​

Sri Lankan and UK beverage firm English Tea Shop has utilised its expertise in cold brew tea production for a gin botanicals range designed to make at-home cocktail preparation more convenient.

English Tea Shop has established itself in the field of organic teas and specialised festive tea gifting with over 200 products and 60 tea blends, but has more recently expanded beyond its original tea focus to look at the development of what it call gin botanicals.

Nurture to expand its Digestion + probiotic drink range as it set sights on South East Asia​

Fonterra brand Nurture plans to expand its powdered probiotic drink range to target stress-relief and skin health this year.

The brand is simultaneously introducing the range offline in Singapore and exploring potential markets in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

All these are part of Fonterra’s strategic move into the wellness sector and positioning South East Asia as its regional hub. Nurture introduced a series of products, including Digestion + Immunity last April followed by Digestion + Energy and Digestion + Focus in November.

Wise Monkey Rum seizing gap in mid-range market amid vigorous expansion activities​

Dubai-based Wise Monkey Rum is actively expanding into new markets across the globe through both retail and on-trade channels, as it seeks to fill the gap in the mid-range rum category.

Launched in 2018 by Nirvana Works International Limited, the brand boasts a line-up comprising various rum blends, such as Café Rum, Mauritius White Rum, and Indian Spiced Rum.