Israeli agrifood company Kad Bnei Darom has introduced Cuca Herb Pops. After debuting at the PLMA’s World Private Label International Trade Show in Amsterdam on May 19, the flash-frozen product will be showcased at the Segev Food International booth during the June 28-30 Fancy Food Show in New York City.
In a paradigm shift from pre-portioned frozen herbs distributed in rigid molded plastic trays, Kad’s refashioned minced herbs are transitioned into uniform 15-gram spheres sealed in flexible pouches that require no individual wrapping.
Beyond their role in saving freezer space, the novel nearly packaging-free delivery system is designed to be environmentally friendly by eliminating the need for plastic trays, including the plastic films that seal the frozen produce. This cuts packaging costs as well as waste of highly perishable herbs.
Freeze, Pop, and Drop
Developed in collaboration with Practical Innovation, a firm dedicated to assisting companies in the creation of next-generation products and solutions, Cuca frozen pops help cooks and chefs in homes or commercial kitchens save time and labor washing and chopping fresh herbs. They can simply pop and drop the product straight into the recipe with ease. There’s no compromise on quality or having to hassle with complex packaging to access the herbs. Kad’s herb pops provide precise portion control, and maintain the herbs’ texture, flavor and nutritional value even after defrosting.
“We have been in the business of growing fresh produce and creating artisan products for more than 50 years,” said CEO David Ben-Ze’ev. “While honoring our traditional roots, Cuca Pops mark Kad’s expanding foothold in food innovation, bringing vibrancy, ease, and environmental consciousness into every kitchen. Our product is creating a new category in the global fresh herbs market, valued at tens of billions of dollars.”
Kad operates a near-fully vertically integrated operation, growing herbs with partner farmers in the Arava desert. The herbs go from field to frozen at the source soon after harvest, without any intermediary packaging. This serves to lock in “just-picked” flavor, aroma, color, and nutritional value of the produce.
The herbs are frozen using advanced IQF technology for the creation of perfect spheres that do not stick to each other inside the pouch. This allows for seamless extraction and prevents rapid thawing while ensuring structural stability throughout freeze/thaw cycles. The herb pops maintain their form even when left outside the freezer.
The product currently comes in six varieties: garlic, parsley, cilantro, dill. onion and basil. They are 100% natural and contain no added or artificial ingredients. The pouches are designed to be user-friendly and sustainable.
“These individual, quick-use frozen herb balls were crafted to respond to demands for top quality natural ingredients that provide convenience, precision, and flexibility while solving the overuse of plastic packaging and food waste,” said Tal Leizer, chief executive officer of Practical Innovation. “Fresh green herbs are highly perishable by nature and known to be particularly prone to degradation.”
Home Cooking Revival
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, consumers around the world have rekindled a connection with the kitchen. They are increasingly embracing home cooking in pursuit of healthier and more harmonious lifestyles, as well as to balance living expenses. At the same time, daily hectic schedules compel them to seek simple, time-saving solutions that deliver quality, enjoyment, and sustainability without compromise.
Innova Market Insights reports a 30% net global shift toward eating at home vs. eating out, with more individuals opting for home-cooked meals. Another likely contributing factor to this trend is that 45% of consumers globally work from home at least once a week.
“Cuca Herb Pops represent the first creation in our collection of advanced flash-frozen formats, offering cooks versatile and smarter ways to store, prepare, and enjoy fresh herbs in their everyday cooking routines,” concluded Ben-Ze’ev.
