The Natural Confectionery Company
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 10. 1.05
The post a week ago on Halloween treats and then munching snacks on a recent bushwalk reminded me of The Natural Confectionery Company. A 60 year old business, they introduced a limited line of jelly confectionery, back in 1991, that was free from artificial flavours and colours, a bit of a rarity back then. A handful of years later, the brand underwent a name change and the whole thing just exploded. Now they are the “most popular jelly product on Australian supermarket shelves”. We imagine the sweets success mirrors the growth in organic and farmers markets, in that shoppers have become more interested in the origins of their food. Admittedly an organic apple, grown locally from heirloom seeds is greener and healthier, but every now and then a little splurge is OK. And if you are going to eat junk, then at least it’s good to know that the taste (‘Sour’ ones are best) and colour is naturally sourced. A shame they don't use organic sugar. (And alas for vegans, the gelatine comes from beef). ::The Natural Confectionery Company
>(And alas for vegans, the gelatine comes from beef)
Just wondering why you chose the term 'vegans' rather than the all-encompassing 'vegetarians'...
For that matter, what gelatin does NOT come from meat sources? It's either beef, pork or fish (or some combination thereof -- fyi, kosher gelatin comes from fish for those fake vegetarians out there who eat fish).
There are several gelling agents out there that come from vegetable sources, but none of them is gelatin, and no gelatin will ever be vegetarian.
There's plenty of squishy candy out there made from pectin, too. All natural colors (and no non-vegetarian carmine/cochineal, either), sweetened with fruit juice, etc. Unfortunately, it's usually only available in the bulk aisle, and thus unsuitable for those little halloween visitors.
Vegetarians don't eat meat, but, unlike Vegans, many do partake of animal products, like honey, cheese, milk and gelatine, thus the reason for choosing the term Vegan.
Yes, by definition all gelatine does come meat sources, I was indicating which source. Agar-Agar, Guar and Xanthan are some of the non-animal gelling agents. People who eat fish, but no other meat are sometimes known as Pescatarians.
Um...I am an ovo-lacto vegetarian, and do not eat gelatin or any meat products (I do eat eggs, milk, cheese, ect.) Most vegetarians I know of do the same.