It’s almost back to school season, and soon parents will be once again living in the hustle and bustle of drop off/pick up, pack lunch, grab a snack – go, go, go! Making sure that kids have a varied lunch box as exciting and flavourful as it is nutritious can be a common challenge. Luckily, Kooky has it covered with a range of exotic super fruits that are as good for kids as they taste.
Launched last month, Kooky’s quirky product range of super fruits includes freeze-dried, light and crispy jackfruit, mango and mangosteen, and gently dried, soft and chewy banana and dragon fruit.
Sustainably sourced in Thailand and naturally dried with absolutely nothing added, the beautifully unusual snacks are 100% fruit, making up one of your five-a-day. Packed with nutrients and vitamins, the magical mouthfuls of fruity goodness also have vast benefits, contributing to the healthy growth and development of kids whilst giving them the chance to try previously unexplored fruits.
Kooky’s Hero Box, for example, offers a collection of superhero fruits that are antioxidant powerhouses, energy-boosting and rich in essential nutrients. Incorporating dragon fruit, jackfruit and mangosteen, this combination box features a trio of delicious flavours and varied textures that children are unlikely to have experienced before, whilst offering health benefits ranging from immune to digestive and cardiovascular.
Often referred to as the most exquisite fruit of the tropics, the mangosteen packet is one of Kooky’s champion products. Subtly sweet and refreshingly tangy, it’s no surprise Queen Victoria was rumoured to be a fan of the mangosteen – reportedly granting a knighthood to anyone who brought her one. Whether true or not, this has earned mangosteen the title of “queen of fruits” – and it is certainly the jewel of the Kooky crown! As well as tasting great, mangosteen provides a variety of essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Research also suggests that antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in mangosteen may protect skin cells from damage associated with sun exposure.
Kooky’s other rockstar product, which is guaranteed to be a hit with kids, is the freeze-dried jackfruit packet. Grown in parts of Asia, the jackfruit is the largest fruit found on a tree. It belongs to the same family as figs and mulberries, but it doesn’t look or taste anything like either! Instead, jackfruit has a delightfully sweet, tropical flavour, somewhere between pineapple and mango. Already a popular meat substitute amongst veggie-lovers, jackfruit is quickly gaining mainstream appeal for its robust flavour, unusual texture and host of health benefits. As a powerful antioxidant, it is particularly great for the immune system.
The dragon fruit packet is the final flavour to make up the Hero Box. Also known as ‘pitaya’ or ‘strawberry pear’, dragon fruit is a tropical fruit famous for its vibrant red skin and sweet, seed-speckled pulp. Cultivated primarily in Asia, Mexico, Central America, and South America, this exotic treat – which is often likened in taste to a combination of kiwi and pear – is thought to have many health benefits. Rich in vitamin C, dragon fruit can boost the immune system and helps the body defend against germs, bacteria and free radicals. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also reduce inflammation, whilst the fibre in dragon fruit can help kids stay fuller for longer.
What’s more, each of these fruits is great for the gut microbiome and effective at combating oxidative stress.
Kooky is the brainchild of two mothers, Aline Burgmann and Deena Tan, who met at the school gates. Bonding over their Asian roots and Western upbringings, they quickly recognised a shared passion for exotic fruits that are difficult to find in the UK.
The duo created Kooky, intending to bring the best fruits of the East to the West by utilising unique relationships with Thai farmers that serve to empower local producers.
Discussing the new business venture, Deena said: “As mothers ourselves, we know first-hand how difficult it can be to find lunchbox snacks that are tasty, yet nutritious and which children will enjoy eating. We hope Kooky will inspire parents looking to spruce up their kids’ packed lunches by providing a convenient alternative to fresh fruit, whilst offering children the opportunity to try fruits previously unavailable to them. Being a child is about discovery, after all. And what better way to discover the wonderfully diverse fruits of the world than to tuck into a Kooky snack?!”
Kooky’s products come in boxes of 5 packs, with prices starting at £10.25. The boxes can be bought online via Kooky’s online ‘frui-tique’ www.iamkooky.com with exciting plans to be introduced in various retailers nationwide soon.
A special launch discount of 15% will apply to all orders made before 15th October 2021.
