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Northern Ireland-based snack producer Kestrel Foods has expanded its flagship brand Forest Feast with the commercial launch of a new chocolate-coated freeze-dried fruit range.

Packaged in 100g stand-up sharing pouches, the new line combines whole freeze-dried fruit pieces with double-layered Belgian chocolate enrobing. The product rollout enters the premium snacking and confectionery fixture as food manufacturers increasingly deploy freeze-drying technology to preserve fruit texture and deliver contrasting, multi-sensory eating experiences.

Formulation and Product Range

The range applies an artisan panning process to coat crisp, whole freeze-dried fruit in dual layers of Belgian chocolate, pairing creamy white chocolate under-layers with milk or dark chocolate finishes.

The freeze-drying technique extracts moisture while retaining the structural integrity, concentrated fruit acidity, and natural aromas of whole berries, creating a sharp textural contrast against the velvety chocolate melt.

The debut product lineup entering commercial distribution includes:

🍓 Double Chocolate Crispy Strawberries: Whole crisp freeze-dried strawberries enrobed in a layer of creamy Belgian white chocolate and finished with smooth Belgian milk chocolate.

🫐 Double Chocolate Crispy Raspberries: Whole freeze-dried raspberries enveloped in Belgian white chocolate and coated in a rich 46% cocoa Belgian dark chocolate layer.

Both SKUs are formulated without gluten-containing ingredients, utilize sustainably sourced cocoa, and contain no artificial colours, synthetic flavourings, or chemical preservatives.

The product introduction arrives amid sustained consumer trade-up into premium confectionery and fruit-forward snacking.

By pairing whole fruit with indulgent Belgian chocolate, the platform bridges everyday confectionery treating with functional fruit ingredients, addressing shifting consumer demand for cleaner, dessert-inspired impulse snacks.

The format is engineered for high-frequency consumption occasions, including at-home evening indulgence, desk-side treating, and premium on-the-go snacking.

Retail Distribution and Pricing

The Forest Feast chocolate-coated freeze-dried fruit collection has commenced physical and online retail distribution across the United Kingdom.

Offered in 100g shelf-ready resealable pouches at a recommended retail price (RRP) of £3.40 to £3.99, the line is rolling out across independent grocers, farm shops, speciality food halls, Boots, and the brand's direct-to-consumer e-commerce portal.