Imports land in UK stores

Foreign flavours hit the shelves

COFFEE connoisseurs can now pick up some Swiss favourites in UK convenience stores thanks to Empire Bespoke Foods’ move into the speciality coffee market.

Taste of the rising sun: The Japanese-style Bushido is available in three flavours.

The produce importer is rolling out two brands, Bushido and Egoiste, both produced in Switzerland by the Hors’ Group, using 100% Arabica coffee beans.

Tasting notes for the three strong Bushido range describe the coffees as offering an “authentic taste of smooth and fruity, wood-roasted Japanese coffee with a unique and memorable flavour.”

Bushido coffees available in the UK include Original and Black Katana as well as Gold 24k, a premium variant which features rare grades of high-hill Arabica beans and 24 carat edible gold. Each variant is available in a 100g pack at RRPs of £7.15, £8 and £30 respectively.

Empire Bespoke Foods is also rolling out four coffees from the Egoiste range, offering a variety of aromas and strengths with 100g packs priced from £8.10 to £8.82, as well as a 50g Egoiste Special pack available at an RRP of £5.15.

Egoiste coffees are said to be produced using patented ‘In-Fi Technology’, which is used to create evenly-distributed finely-ground roasted coffee.

Empire Bespoke Foods said this process results in granules of instant coffee with grains of natural, finely-ground roasted coffee inside all freeze-dried particles in each pack.

Nick Thomas, sales and marketing director at Empire Bespoke Foods, said: “As part of our continuing commitment to inspire our customers with quality products and indulgent flavours from around the world, we are delighted to launch two superb brands in Bushido and Egoiste.”

Both Bushido and Egoiste can be ordered directly from Empire Bespoke Foods or through wholesale and cash & carry channels.