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KRAFFT FAKTORIE has been in the making for a long time, and during the 2022 awards their 33 Premium Lager was awarded a Gold. We wanted to find out more about this special company.

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Please tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Nico-Louis Janse Van Rensburg. I am a microbiologist and agronomist. I have a deep-seated passion for sustainable agriculture, agricultural value chains, and agro-conversion, and I have been farming and brewing craft beer since 2013.

Please tell us when your company was founded and some of its history.

In 2018 I founded my company KRAFFT FAKTORIE to consolidate my farming and brewing businesses under one umbrella. The name KRAFFT FAKTORIE draws inspiration from the industrial revolution when people’s craft and artisan skills transitioned to industrial manufacturing processes, similar to how I up scaled my craft businesses to commercial level.

What are some of the unique features of your company?

We remain anchored in our guiding principle of “A celebration of life through craftsmanship, pure passion, and authenticity”.

What do you think are some of the unique products you have?

While I found it hard to brand my agricultural products and to differentiate it from competitors, I enjoy the branding and differentiator opportunities that my craft beer presents to the market, and to our customers.

Please tell us what is unique about your manufacturing process, and your manufacturing philosophy.

We brew a premium lager with three distinctive malt cultivars and three unique hops varietals, hence the name 33 Premium Lager. The choice of three malts delivers the malty taste of a true craft beer, with a distinct golden colour. Our choice of three hops varietals delivers a fruity taste with a bitterness that does not linger. Our beer contains no additives or preservatives and is not pasteurised, thereby delivering the purest quality and flavour possible for a unique customer experience. We brew in batches of 3,000 litres, and we currently pack in kegs and in cans for customers across various sales channels.

What do you think is your distinct advantage or reason for your success?

We believe that there is nothing better than old-school customer service. We take pride in delivering personal and exceptional service to our customers across all sales channels. Furthermore, we remain connected with our customers throughout the supply chain. This combined with meticulous focus on product quality deliver results that fuel our business growth.

How do you see your company or product on the global stage?

We recently received interest in our product from a brewing company outside of South Africa. We are continuing to explore the opportunities that it presents for our product and brand.

In what countries can your product be found?

Our beer is available for direct sales in South Africa, and available through online sales on our website to local and international customers.

Please tell us if you have any innovations in the pipeline for the future.

Apart from our lager, I brew six more beer styles in small batches and upon request from customers. I enjoy innovation with the inclusion of natural ingredients such as ginger, rooibos, and berries in specific beer styles. I envisage to up scale one of these styles soon for more customers to enjoy.

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Contact details:

Contact person: Nico-Louis Janse Van Rensburg

Email Address: beer@krafftfaktorie.co.za

Contact Number: +27(0)83 387 1276

Website: https://www.krafftfaktorie.co.za/ and https://33lager.co.za/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/33lager

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/33premiumlager/

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Tsitsikamma Spring water is a very well known brand, synonymous with water of superior quality. This year, they won a silver award for their still water, and a Double Gold award for their sparkling water. We wanted to learn more about this unique company.

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We asked Holly Robinson to tell us about this company:
Please tell us when your company was founded and some of its history.

Judy Woodgate started Tsitsikamma Spring Water in 1997 after discovering the high quality of spring water on their farm situated against the southern slope of the Tsitsikamma Mountains.

The Tsitsikamma was the home of the ancient Khoisan people, who called it ‘Sietsiekamma’ or the ‘place of clear water’. Initially, Judy single-handedly bottled, packaged, invoiced, and delivered to a supportive local community. 

Today, Tsitsikamma Spring Water operates from tailor-made premises with automated filling machines and has an ever-growing staff complement. 

What are some of the unique features of your company?

Our sweet and delicate spring water is our unique and special feature. Tsitsikamma Spring water is filtered naturally as it journeys through various layers of rock, which impart the delicate balance of minerals and trace elements that give it its unique, naturally sweet taste.

Our source is unique in that only Mother Nature occupies the mountainous Nature Conservation Area where the source of Tsitsikamma Spring Water is found. This ancient, natural wilderness remains unspoiled, removing the risk of external pollution.

Tsitsikamma Spring Water is a gift from nature, and therefore we feel that we should give back to nature. Since inception, we have donated per bottle sold to the Dolphin Action and Protection Group (DAPG) for their Save the Whales Campaign until the whales were no longer as endangered as they used to be. In March 2014, we committed ourselves to rhino conservation by donating per bottle sold to the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Forum (GKEPF) for rhino protection.

What do you think are some of the unique products you have?

Again, the quality and sweet taste of our water, as nature gives it to us, is our most unique feature and what we are most proud of.

Our eco-bottles, which we use across the full range, are 100% recyclable and are made using a mix of recycled PET plastic (rPET) and virgin plastic. Tsitsikamma Spring Water is the first South African spring water available in a bottle made using rPET; and the first South African water bottler to launch the use of rPET across its entire range of bottles.

Please tell us what is unique about your manufacturing process, and your manufacturing philosophy.

All preforms and bottles are manufactured at the source, reducing transport and related carbon emissions. This is done using state-of-the-art machinery and a skilled technical team. Tsitsikamma Spring Water is a delicate product, and we aim to retain the water’s unique taste and balance of minerals as nature has given it to us. 

 

What do you think is your distinct advantage or reason for your success?

Tsitsikamma Spring Water is a family business and since inception has followed Judy Woodgate’s mission statement of ‘Best product, Best service and Best relationships’.

We have an extremely dedicated team of people, from the factory floor right through to top management, who proudly work behind the brand and uphold the mission statement across all aspects of the business.  

What is the consumer demographic of your products, and what feedback are you getting?

Ultimately, Tsitsikamma Spring Water is aimed at the medium to high LSM consumer who recognize the benefit of drinking natural Spring Water and appreciate the unique and delicately sweet taste of our water.

We are regularly complimented on the taste of our water, in particular our sparkling. We have also been told that our sparkling water compliments whiskey beautifully, and we agree.

Do you perhaps have some innovations in the pipeline?

We are continually exploring the best and most sustainable packaging options and innovate around new technology and ideas which are made available.

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Contact details:

Contact person: Holly Robinson

Email Address: admin@tswater.co.za

Contact Number: +27(0)42 285 0201/2/3

Website: https://tsitsikammawater.co.za/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tsitsikammaspringwaterZA/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsitsikamma_springwater/

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Oakhurst Olives was awarded a Silver and two Gold awards at the 2022 awards, so we were keen to learn more about this successful estate.

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Oakhurst Olives is situated on the beautiful mountain slopes of Tulbagh, the farm and climate is ideal for Olive cultivation with hot summers, and cold winters, these conditions, together with relative isolation, suppress pests and diseases allowing for minimal chemical spray interventions. Oakhurst was planned and developed from inception with the goal of producing the best quality table olives and olive oil available, so cultivar choice and orchard layout favoured Kalamata as the main cultivar, and the best international cultivars for olive oil as pollinators. Orchards were laid out according to modern sustainable intensive methods where trees are kept small for easy harvesting by hand, and all natural resources are used as efficiently as possible. Olive oil mill waste is returned to the orchard directly after pressing and spread in a thin layer on the soil as valuable organic matter, reducing the carbon footprint.

Oakhurst’s orchards, oil mill and processing facilities are just the right size to be owner managed efficiently with the necessary attention to detail ensuring top quality products and happy staff, as well as a minimal carbon footprint.  The Olives are hand-picked and most production processes are done by hand on site to ensure top quality products as well as supplying much needed income to local families. Oakhurst is passionate about producing a product that consumers will enjoy, as well as giving them assurance of purity and health benefits.

Oakhurst uses only salt and water in the curing process of the Kalamata Olives. The water is sourced from the farm and is of such good quality no treatment is required, resulting in a healthy, pure tasting product. Water quality as well as the natural fermentation process is attributed to the success of the table olives.

Oakhurst caters for a broad demographic, from the luxury market to every day and restaurant use, the Olives can also be found in salads on international flights!  Only positive feedback on the products has been received, which can be attributed to the hands-on approach to production and insistence on continued uniformity of quality.

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Oakhurst has a unique Tasting Room where prospective customers and members of the public can experience a Tutored Tasting.  The Tasting includes all the products produced, as well as much needed information about the emerging Olive and Olive Oil market in South Africa.

Contact details:

Contact person: Charmaine Doubell

Email Address: admin@oakhurstolives.co.za

Contact Number: +27(0)23  230 0842

Website: https://oakhurstolives.co.za

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oakhurstolives

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakhurstolives

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Royal Karoo is a truly unique charcuterie establishment, in the sense that they specialise in venison. This year they were awarded a gold award for their Royal Karoo Venison Rauchfleisch, and we were curious to find out more about these unique specialists.

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We asked Rob Birch to tell us about this company:
Please tell us when your company was founded and some of its history.

Royal Karoo is primarily a hunting destination that has been in operation since 2017. The meat processing division “Royal Karoo venison & charcuterie” was started in late 2020 to add value to the harvested animals from the hunting operation.

What are some of the unique features of your company?

The aim of the meat processing is to add value to the venison produced by the game farm – with the express aim to produce healthy value-added products that are not usually found in the trade, meeting the need for low fat, high protein, free-range, grass-fed meat products. Our charcuterie range has all been produced using artisanal virgin spice recipes while avoiding flavour enhancers such as msg and commercial preservatives.

What are your most popular products?

Rauchfleisch, Springbuck liver pate, pastrami, cured chorizo and salami.

Please tell us what is unique about your manufacturing process, and your manufacturing philosophy.

Our philosophy is to produce a healthy product that can be traced back to the source, using the entire animal nose to tail, while promoting conservation by harvesting ethically on a sustainable basis – at the same time promoting the health benefits of utilizing delicious venison.

What do you think is your distinct advantage or reason for your success?

We are passionate about producing a quality product that is both delicious and traceable to source for the health conscious market.

What is the consumer demographic of your products, and what feedback are you getting?

Our products have been very well received in the market and our demographic is definitely the discerning health conscious shopper with a wide range of choices at their fingertips.

Do you perhaps have some innovations in the pipeline?

We are constantly working on increasing our range of value added venison products, and are in the process of testing new products not usually produced from venison.

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Contact details:

Contact person: Rob Birch

Email Address: rob@royalkaroo.co.za

Contact Number: +27(0)82 4964 398

Website: https://www.royalkaroo.co.za

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalkaroovenison

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royal_karoo_venison

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Difference Coffee made a bit of a splash this year, as one of the highest-scoring coffees at the 2022 awards, and on top of that, the coffee was entered in capsules. We were curious to learn more about the forward-thinking company and their philosophy.

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We asked Amir Gehl to tell us more about this company.
Please tell us when your company was founded, and some of its history.

Difference Coffee was founded in 2015. Its founder, Amir Gehl, begun drinking coffee several years prior and was intrigued to try rare varietals such as Jamaica Blue Mountain, Kopi Luwak, and competition champion coffees, but these were not available to purchase in a capsule form. He experimented by purchasing ground Kona coffee from Harrods and packed them by hand into empty Nespresso style capsules. These tasted delicious and that’s really how the idea for Difference Coffee came about – to produce the world’s rarest coffees, in capsules.

Please tell us about some of the unique features of your company.

What makes Difference Coffee unique is that we aim to purchase the tastiest coffees in the world, and we do that using a grading methodology which is accepted by the coffee industry. Not many people know it, but Arabica is graded using a 100 point system, which was created by the Specialty Coffee Association. What we do each year is buy literally some of the highest scoring coffees in the world – many of which are competition champion coffees. Therefore, the claim of selling the back is supported by a grade, and is not just marketing fluff.

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What do you think are some of the unique products you have?

We have a limited range of coffees, and each one is unique in its own way. Arabica is made up of a group of varietals and our aim is to locate the tastiest varietal from the country it is mostly known for. For example, Blue Mountain coffee is not exclusive to Jamaica, it’s grown in other countries too, but Jamaica produces the tastiest of them. Likewise, we always buy the tastiest Geisha coffee from Panama only, as it is the best terroir for the coffee. In sum, we have a collection of terroir-led coffees, all of which represent the tastiest expression of that particular varietal.

Please tell us what is unique about your manufacturing process, and your manufacturing philosophy.

Our manufacturing process is fairly straightforward. We roast the coffee in many ways to come up with the ultimate profile for the beans, using a sample roaster, and then it is replicated on a bigger scale.

What do you think is your distinct advantage or reason for your success?

The quality of the beans that we buy. We buy single estate coffees, we don’t blend anything. There’s no need to blend what is already the best.

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What is the consumer demographic of your products, and what feedback are you getting?

Our products, at the moment, are mostly consumed in luxury hospitality and Michelin restaurants, we have over 100 of these and our largest markets are the UK and Italy. Chefs were the first to adopt it because they saw the value of creating a coffee menu which a tastier offering. We also sell our coffee capsules to private clients directly through our online store, and we ship worldwide. We have clients in over 40 countries and many repeat clients, so we are grateful that our patrons love our products.

How do you see your company or product on the global stage?

We believe that we sell the world’s best coffees in capsules and that no other company does what we do. Those who attempt to, normally fall short on quality, they fail to buy the absolute best beans because they are too expensive, and it’s risky for them. We already have the clients, so we don’t have that problem.

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In what countries can your product be found?

Literally worldwide.

Please tell us if you have any innovations in the pipeline for the future.

To keep doing what we are doing best. We don’t think we can do any better, if we could, we would be doing it already. That said, we always follow the industry to see if there’s new knowledge and trends out there. A new coffee varietal, a new roaster, a new grinder, we are never complacent.

Contact details:

Contact person: Amir Gehl

Email Address: amir@differencecoffee.com

Contact Number: +44 7747 888832 (Whatsapp)

Website: https://www.differencecoffee.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/differencecoffee

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/differencecoffee

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Boncafe (Thailand) did extremely well at the 2022 awards with their Cafe Crema Bean coffee, which earned them a silver award. We were curious to learn more about the dynamic company and their philosophy.

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We asked Ms. Sunee Jettanacharoenchai a few questions to find out about the path to their success.

Please tell us when your company was founded, and some of its history.

Boncafe (Thailand) is a business provider with the One-Stop Coffee Solution; we are the coffee manufacturer, distributor, and also the importer of many products including top-notch coffee machine brands with more than 30 years experience and over 24 branches across the country. Boncafe (Thailand) is currently a part of the Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group; an Italian coffee company which is one of the world’s largest coffee companies.

Please tell us about some of the unique features of your company.

As a One-Stop coffee solution for businesses, Boncafe’s strength lies within the professional full service sector, and we aim to serve all the clients’ needs and requirements.

Please tell us what is unique about your manufacturing process, and your manufacturing philosophy.

‘Taste, Quality and Safety = Heart of Boncafe’

With 20-year-experiences of our Boncafe Thailand’s Roast Masters, the rooting philosophy of our manufacturing processes is quality. We start from the very beginning.

The green coffee is sourced and selected from the quality plantation, processed through high technology production with rigid quality control systems. We are able to produce only the top quality products, especially our signature blends, that our customers loved for many years.

What do you think is your distinct advantage or reason for your success?

‘Quality’ is the key. We pour wholeheartedly every effort we can in the R&D or sourcing processes for every product to ensure that we serve only the best product to our customers. The subjectivity of customers’ needs varies, but one of our strong suits is that we know how to serve each of their needs through our wide range of products. We have a strong R&D team to seek potential products from qualified sources, ingredients, materials, credibility and any essential factors to fulfil our customers’ needs.

What is the consumer demographic of your products, and what feedback are you getting?

Our main business is B2B, and our customers are mainly 5-stars hotels and premium restaurants. Moreover, we also cover a wide range of B2C markets allowing our products to be available in top retail stores in Thailand e.g. Makro, Tops Supermarket, Gourmet Market.

The feedback that we get is our long-lasting reputation in the coffee business and the assurance of both product and service qualities.

How do you see your company on the global stage and In what countries can your product be found?

We are an end-to-end organization providing a full loop of business solutions. Not only the quality products, consultancies of pre-purchase and after-sales services of post-purchased are also what we valued in order to offer our customers the unique experiences. We cover from knowledge advice from our expert team, ensuring the smoothness delivery in a timely manner, to providing top-notch after-sales services by our qualified technicians. In this era, the definition of buying a product does not end as just we provide a product or service in return for money from the customers. The definition extends to that customers are also seeking for an experience of buying journey from consideration until repurchase. That is what we, as Boncafe, have to offer our customers worldwide.

In what countries can your product be found?

Only in Thailand.

Please tell us if you have any innovations in the pipeline for the future.

Currently, Boncafe Thailand is focusing and working hard to amplify the social responsibilities angle from the very root. We are working with the local Thais to develop quality coffee beans with up-to-date technology, walking through with them since the very first process to delivering the finished goods to our customers. We are also working on the waste management project not just to demolish wastes from production, but to upcycle and recycle the byproducts or wastes from production to make every single piece worth. This is a huge step of the industry combining innovative ideas and technology into our production processes, not just producing the products.

Contact details:

Email Address: welcome2@boncafe.co.th

Contact Number: +66 (2) 693 2570

Website: https://www.boncafe.co.th

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boncafethailand

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boncafethailand

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REM Kombucha from Turkey won several awards during the 2022 event, and we were curious to learn more about the dynamic team and their philosophy.

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REM DOĞAL YAŞAM A.Ş. ended up being one of the top performers at this year’s event. They earned Double Gold with their Spicy REM Kombucha and doubled up their success by earning a Gold medal with their Galangal REM Kombucha. We asked Tülin Bozkuş a few questions to find out about the path to their success.

Please tell us when your company was founded, and some of its history.

Aware of the fact that the most important way to establish a balance in the relationship between body, soul and mind is healthy nutrition from nature; me and my mother Remziye Doğrusöyler devoted ourselves to improving and continuing our life based on the principle of holistic health. In 2020, we established REM Kombucha as a result of experiencing the miraculous benefits of kombucha that have not been missing from our lives since 1990.

Please tell us about some of the unique features of your company.

What makes REM Kombucha special is the dedication to our brand and products, with the promise to ferment kombucha in the most natural way. We always prepare it, as we would for ourselves, without compromising any motherly traditional methods, keeping to our original formula to get the highest benefit with the highest quality ingredients.

Please tell us what is unique about your manufacturing process, and your manufacturing philosophy.

Since Kombucha is a live beverage, it is necessary to follow the entire production process with precision, dedication, and delicate care. Every ingredient is carefully selected from ingredients aligned with a holistic approach and from carefully selected organic raw material, for example, we only use an award-winning and trusted drinking water, the one we choose for our daily drinking needs. All our ingredients are sourced from the highest quality brands and producers.

We do not use any unnatural additives, colourants or preservatives. We pay close attention to the highest hygiene standards for the fermentation and bottling process.

With our first-hand experience and knowledge of what is the most respectful material for our body and the world; We are not only serving kombucha in glass bottles but also performing the whole fermentation process in glass jars in small batches which eliminates the possibility of metal and plastic entering our kombucha.

We do not interfere with fermentation by pasteurization, heat treatment or any additives in order to preserve the vitality and the valuable nutrient content gained from fermentation.

What do you think is your distinct advantage or reason for your success?

Love is the key to our success; We love our family, we love our community, and we love what we do. As a family company, we are lucky to be working together with our loved ones and be able to spread this feeling through REM Kombucha.

We feel blessed to produce and serve an antique and exceptional healing beverage for a modern lifestyle, with respect to the nature of the product without compromising traditional methods. It makes us feel like doing something excellent for the whole World.

What is the consumer demographic of your products?

We see our approach as an embracing and growing community where our consumers are of all ages. We are aware of the fact that the most important way to establish a balance in the relationship between body, soul and mind is healthy and clean nutrition from nature, this has no specific demographic. Kombucha is for everyone.

We are able to reach more and more people from a variety of locations, not only from markets but also from coffee shops, juice bars and restaurants, so we have so many ‘’First timers’’, which we are receiving very positive feedback, and soon we become an indispensable part of their daily health routine.

In a few weeks, the changes in intestinal health are noticed by those who regularly drink REM Kombucha. Of course, this means the regression and improvement of many problems in the long term.

How do you see your company on the global stage and In what countries can your product be found?

We are a local producer, a family company. For now, our products can be found in Istanbul, Turkey.

We are preparing to make a global breakthrough with many projects ready for export. Our worldwide awards are the biggest support for us on this path. We are excited to share it with the whole world soon.

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Please tell us if you have any innovations in the pipeline for the future.

It is very pleasing that wellness is a rising trend among the new generation, which leads them to holistic nutrition. So we can say ‘The new cool is Being Healthy’ and glowing from inside out…

We believe the healing power of mother nature and nature is an endless source for us to innovate new products to find and develop natural and functional products with the best taste. We will continue to keep our traditional formula combined with new and organic and innovative ingredient combinations hoping to introduce new and healthy Kombucha flavours to our community.

Contact details:

Contact person: Tülin Bozkuş

Email Address: info@remkombucha.com

Contact Number: 0090 532 4234 226

Website: https://www.remkombucha.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/remkombu

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remkombucha/

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Euro Meats is well known for their quality meat products, and was awarded several awards during the 2022 event. We had to find out more about this company, and what their secrets are.

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We asked Jürgen Küpper to tell us about this company:

Please tell us when your company was founded, and some of its history.

Euro was started in 1990 by Matthias Küpper, one of the most experienced and knowledgeable German master butchers in South Africa. Euro started off as a small speciality German butchery and deli offering everything from uniquely crafted fresh meats for the braai to traditional European sausages, hams, cold meats, and salami for everyone to enjoy.

Matthias then received his golden master butcher certificate in 2011 after being a master butcher for 50 years which was also a certificate his father managed to get in 1986. To this day Euro is still the only meat processor in South Africa, if not Africa with these golden certificates behind its name.

Please tell us about some of the unique features of your company.

We are the only deli meat producer with German, golden master butcher certificates behind our name complimented by three generations of german master butchers.

What do you think are some of the most unique products you have?

Roast Onion and Apple liver spread, smoked venison, Blackforest Ham, and German Landjäger salami sticks are definitely some of the popular unique products we produce.

Please tell us what is unique about your manufacturing process, and your manufacturing philosophy.

All products are small batch produced in order for us to ensure consistent quality compared to the much larger producers. We pride ourselves in keeping everything as traditional as possible.

What do you think is your distinct advantage or reason for your success?

Our experience and knowledge of ensuring each product has a flavour profile which entices you to want more is definitely one of the reasons all our customers have enjoyed the products for 32 years.

What is the consumer demographic of your products, and what feedback are you getting?

Our demographic generally consists of all people who enjoy great flavour and quality products. The feedback over the years is always the same… “ I have never tasted something so amazing!!!”

How do you see your company or product on the global stage?

We would definitely like to export some of our products, the products are beneficial for the entire hospitality industry globally.

In what countries can your product be found?

South Africa and Botswana.

Please tell us if you have any innovations in the pipeline for the future.

We are constantly innovating, the latest product we are developing will be entered into the next Aurora Taste Challenge.

Contact details:

Contact person: Jürgen Küpper

Email Address: jurgen@euromeats.co.za

Contact Number: +27(0)11 791 2305 

Website: https://www.euromeats.co.za/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/euromeats.butchery

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/euro_meats/

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Two in a Bush was awarded two Gold awards for their tea infused cordials at the 2022 awards. We were interested lo learn more about this innovative company, and what drives them.

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We asked Hetta Terblanche to tell us about this company:

Please tell us when your company was founded, and some of its history.

Creators Marie-Louise Oosthuizen and Hetta van Deventer-Terblanche share a lifelong dedication to good food and wine.  The idea sprouted from a Sodastream gift given to Hetta, four years ago. Since mixing and creating cocktails is one of the many talents of Marie-Louise, the Sodastream machine was put to task. Unimpressed with the lack of ingredients available in the existing market, the duo set out to develop their own cordials, testing recipes on lucky friends and family members. The end goal was clear and uncompromising - it had to be a 100% natural drink, with the health properties intact and outstanding taste. The name Two in a Bush, refers to the adage “a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush” – be thankful for what you have, a philosophy that both Hetta and Marie-Louise observe.

Please tell us about some of the unique features of your company.

Two in a Bush Iced Tea Cordial is more than proudly South African, the delicious taste of real brewed tea and natural ingredients set it apart. Pure mineral water and only the finest natural ingredients are used to make this premium drink. Rooibos tea is caffeine-free, and packed with scientifically proven health benefits and antioxidants. Rooibos tea was awarded protected designation of origin (PDO) status earlier this year. This means only leaves cultivated in South Africa’s southeast Cederberg region can be sold as “rooibos” in EU countries and several others, limiting competition from imitations that have appeared amid growing demand for this antioxidant-rich brew. 

The cordial is a versatile drink that can be enjoyed chilled, diluted with water or soda water for a low sugar alternative drink, or used as an ingredient in a variety of cocktails or mocktails. Hetta says that  “Two in a Bush Ice Tea Cordials are ideal for the whole family to enjoy, my kids love it. It is for anyone that is serious about quality ingredients with great taste, and also serves as a grown-up drink with alcohol added. The world has changed so much, we are reassessing our lifestyles, and although we both enjoy wine tremendously, occasions often arise where we want to sip socially, but without alcohol or low alcohol. Two in a Bush Ice Tea Cordials are our number one choice”. Marie-Louise quips in that “mixed with soda water it puts the perfect shot of tea in a G & T”. The cordials are available at the best delis, local markets, stores and online.

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What do you think is the unique about your product?

We do not take shortcuts.

What do you think is your distinct advantage or reason for your success?
How do you see your company or product on the global stage?

Currently, there is definite and positive interest from Europe and the Americas, but shipping costs are a hurdle when launching a new product overseas. Glass bottles, manufactured from mainly recycled glass, is a heavy and costly product to ship.

In which countries can your products be found? 

For now, South Africa & Namibia, but export opportunities to Europe and other African countries are in advanced stages of development.

Do you perhaps have some innovations in the pipeline?

Yes! But we are not letting the cat out of the bag yet – watch this space early 2023.

Contact details:

Contact person: Hetta or Marie-Louise

Email Address: hetta@twoinabush.co.za or marielouise@twoinabush.co.za

Contact Number: +27(0)82 5766 988

Website: https://www.twoinabush.co.za

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TwoinABushRooibosicedTeaCordials

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twoinabushicedteacordials

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Pure Blue of Norway entered their water, all the way from Norway, and were awarded a gold award at the 2022 awards. We were interested to learn more about this fearless company, and what makes them tick.

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We asked Bjørn Espen Wik to tell us about this company:

Please tell us when your company was founded and some of its history.

Pure Blue of Norway was founded in 2017, but it all started back in 2015 which was when the world opened its eyes to what we were doing to our oceans. There were pictures all over social media about beautiful beaches now full of plastic trash. Seabirds died from eating plastic, and turtles and even big whales were dying from plastic.

As an animal lover, this kind of got to me and when I was introduced to the possibility of changing the bottled water packaging from plastic to Paper-based Tetra Pak I went all in. I wanted to make the most sustainable water brand in the world and I wanted to do it with Norwegian Premium water, some of the finest in the world.

About four years ago I was contacted by WATERisLIFE who is a non-profit organisation securing safe water for children and families in need. They loved what I was trying to do, and I have huge respect for their work. We took the concept we already had and added charity to it. For every bottle sold, we now donate 28 days of safe water to a child in need. It's all about making a difference.

Tove Lovisa Bergkvist came on board about 3,5 years ago, and together we fine-tuned the concept to become what it is today. The intention behind the concept is to make it possible for everyone to make a difference just by drinking water. Imagine the feeling you get after buying your first bottle of Pure Blue, loving the pure taste of course and then reading the text on the bottle which says…” 28 days of safe water to a child in need for every bottle sold.” Hopefully, it will awaken the feeling of making a difference.

What are some of the unique features of your company?

What do you think is the unique about your product?
Please tell us what is unique about your manufacturing process, and your manufacturing philosophy.

The process itself isn’t unique, but the water source is a protected underground source in Telemark, Norway which keeps a stable temperature at 4-5 degrees Celsius all year round, and the water is very low in salt and sodium.

What do you think is your distinct advantage or reason for your success?

The advantage must be that Tove and I are really passionate about this. I used to work in bank and finance for half of my adult life. Now I work with something which I love and believe in. For us, it is personal. We travel and meet new potential clients and tell our story and why Pure Blue is the best option when it comes to bottled water.

What is the consumer demographic of your products, and what feedback are you getting?

Well, the millennials are the ones who accepted the idea behind the project first, because they are more concerned about our planet than the older generations.

How do you see your company or product on the global stage?

In which countries can your products be found? 

We started our production in January and so far the water can be bought in The Kingdom of Bahrain, Latvia and soon Scandinavia, the UK, The Balearic Islands and UAE.

Do you perhaps have some innovations in the pipeline?

No new innovations planned. I think we have got more than enough to do promoting Pure Blue all over the world 😉

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Contact details:

Contact person: Bjørn Espen Wik

Email Address: bjorn@pureblueofnorway.com

Contact Number: +4793430707

Website: https://www.pureblueofnorway.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pureblueofnorway

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purebluewater_official