KANSAS CITY — New products highlighting the nuanced flavors of Latin America are making their way to retail.
Brazi Bites, a Latin-inspired, better-for-you brand, specializes in gluten-free Brazilian-style cheese bread inspired by Pão de Queijo. The company, which was founded in 2010, created a program to support Latino entrepreneurs in September 2022, and announced their first winner, La Porteña Foods, in February 2023. Brazi Bites’ most recent introduction — Everything Brazilian cheese bread — was chosen by fans via a social media campaign in 2022. The bread combines everything seasoning with the brand’s cheddar and Parmesan cheeses.
“Coming into 2023, brands are tapping into popular flavor trends, like everything seasoning, to amplify existing product lines,” said Junea Rocha, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Brazi Bites. “We received thousands of consumer submissions and Everything was the clear winner. The popular seasoning combined with the deliciously bold cheddar and Parmesan in our signature Brazilian Cheese Bread absolutely nailed the taste category, and we're excited to bring this new variety to consumers who we know will fall in love instantly.”
Baking mix maker Krusteaz added a line of new products for spring, including a cinnamon churro Belgian waffle mix, which combines cinnamon and sugar flavors.
“We like to say the Krusteaz brand is ‘by makers for makers,’ and we are sure these new products will continue to ignite moments of joy and possibility for families in their home kitchens,” said Andy Heily, president and chief executive officer of The Krusteaz Co. “Our products give consumers the confidence and power to bring any idea to life with quick and customizable mixes.”
Mexican food brand Somos also expanded its plant-based portfolio with the introduction of three products. Co-founded by former Kind Snacks executives Daniel Lubetzky, Miguel Leal, and Rodrigo Zuloaga, Somos features a line of shelf-stable, slow-cooked Mexican foods.
“Until now, Americans have had to dine out to enjoy a real Mexican meal,” said Mr. Lubetzky in a September 2021 interview. “At home, options have been limited to foods that don’t actually exist in Mexico like fluorescent molded hard-shell yellow corn tortillas. Somos was created using inspiration from family recipes that have been passed down through generations and will introduce people to true Mexican cocina staples.”
Somos added a plant-based Mexican street corn rice that features fire-roasted sweet yellow corn, fresh epazote, referred to as the ‘Latin umami,’ and spices like chile de árbol, garlic powder and spices. The other two products now a part of Somos’ lineup include chipotle refried beans and poblano brown rice.
“Esquites are a Mexican street food I grew up eating as a treat and something I crave when I go home to visit my family in Monterrey, Mexico,” said Mr. Leal, chief executive officer of Somos. “We knew we had to find a way to bring the street corn experience to our consumers but make it Somos, which meant staying true to the ingredients, recipes and techniques we cherish in Mexico while making the flavors available with no stress, no wait and more time to just eat and enjoy.”
