New cashew nut butter launched by Keen Nutrition

A new 100 per cent cashew nut butter has been developed and is now being marketed throughout the UK and Ireland by Keen Nutrition, the award-winning Northern Ireland specialist in nut butters.

The company has also recently moved into a new factory in Bangor, county Down and has increased employment to 12 over the over the past two years. It was launched by nutritional expert Aimee Beimers in 2012 in her home kitchen and initially specialised in almond nut butters.

The new factory and investment in roasting technology enabled the company to develop the cashew nut butter. Cashews are recognised as being rich in minerals such as iron, zinc and copper, lower in calories than other nuts and are packed with monosaturated fats.

Keen has recently expanded into the UK with distribution deals with Diverse Fine Foods and Green City Wholesale in Scotland.

"We're currently available in 29 independent retailers in England, including Delilah's Fine Foods, the Royal National Theatre Cafe and the Caracoli group of shops. Our sales to England now account for approximately 15 per cent of our total sales, with total export sales including to the Republic of Ireland accounting for 70 per cent of our business." says Mrs Beimers.

"Growth has been particularly strong in the Republic of Ireland as well as in Northern Ireland, with nearly 220 stores now selling Keen Nut Butter.

"Our newest product to market is 100 per cent cashew nut butter which has taken nearly six months of testing for us to get the product exactly right so we're pleased that it's now available for retail sale," she adds.

A UK Great Taste Award winner, Keen Nutrition was recently voted runner up in the People's Choice Award in the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Awards. The awards, held bi-annually and sponsored by Ulster Bank, celebrate the best food in Northern Ireland. The People's Choice awards are the only award chosen by a public vote.