New Dry roasted product line is growing

Until recently, Virgin Nuts was solely known for its extensive and unique range of natural flavoured caramelised nuts. In the spring of 2019 we added a new product range which was introduced at the PLMA in Amsterdam. Our customers are increasingly recognizing and appreciating these Dry roasted and deliciously spiced snacks. This month we signed a major contract with one of the largest Northern European wholesalers in the nut sector.

The Dry roasted nuts, peanuts, seeds, grains and pulses find their way to the consumer through supermarkets, specialty shops, etc.. They can enjoy savoury pick & mix products in a wide variety of flavours.

These flavours are realized with purely natural ingredients. No aroma’s, E numbers or other additives are used. Real herbs and spices provide high-end flavours, such as: (sea) salt, (red) pepper, rosemary, garlic, BBQ, etc. For our Dry roasted product range, you can choose from almonds, cashews, peanuts, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and crunchy pulses (broad beans, lentils, peas).

Adding your own twist?
The new Dry roasted product line is invented and developed by Virgin Nuts and gives customers the opportunity to add their own twist, thanks to our pick & mix concept. Do you prefer the dry roasted nuts, seeds and/or pulses mixed or with your own, perhaps regional herbs or spices? Just let us know!

Our Dry roasted products are not only suitable as a snack, but also as an ingredient for salads, toppings, etc. We welcome you to take a look at some examples from our “Dry roasted” portfolio and don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your wishes.

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Crispy chocolate ingredients

Chocolate is #absolutelydelicious… PERIOD(.) Imagine that extra dimension if chocolate is enriched by caramelised nuts, seeds or puffed grains… #WOW. Virgin Nuts is specialised in caramelising chocolate ingredients in many, only natural, flavours. Besides that the nuts and (puffed) cereals remain crunchy, it prevents fat bloom and that makes every #chocolateproducer and #chocolatelover very happy.

Virgin Nuts produces caramelised nuts, seeds and (puffed) cereals. We can add honey, cinnamon, maple, vanilla or gingerbread to the crunchy coating for extra flavour and what about sea salt, coconut, or #letsgonuts, chili, wasabi or other delicious, natural herbs and spices? All great flavour combinations for chocolate ingredients.

The natural taste is preserved in the crispy texture of the caramelised nuts, seeds and cereals. We also ensure that the natural fats are locked in to prevent fat bloom, which causes a white discoloration on chocolate. After all, besides the taste, looks dó matter…

Thinking in solutions
Our coating is a solution for chocolate producers. Extra flavour, without compromising the quality and appearance of the chocolate. The nuts, seeds and (puffed) cereals remain deliciously crunchy.

More and more customers are discovering our unique coating process with natural flavour combinations. The possibilities and combinations are endless. Want to know more or discuss your own flavour ideas? Contact us now!

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12th BRCGS Food Safety certificate!

Yesss! For the 12th year in a row, we passed our annual BRCGS Food Safety audit with glance and again the highest AA-level is achieved. More good news: our second facility (which is peanut free, especially for the food industry) will be included in the new certificate. All of our unique and delicious sweet coated diced nuts and seeds optionally can be produced peanut free as well (and that’s rather unique too)… #peanutfree naturally!

Shortly after our start in 2008, Virgin Nuts is certified at the highest level of the British Retail Consortium Global Standards (BRCGS Food Safety, f.k.a. BRC Food). This level is extended ever since, proving that we comply with the highest standards for food safe and high quality products. We’re proud that our peanut free facility is now part of our certificate (issue date April 2020).

More information? Do not hesitate to Contact us.

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Photo, courtesy of Skyla Design on Unsplash.

Caramelised pecans @ Cherry garden wedding

Kirsten Molkenboer, chocolate maker/pastry chef at Puur Tamminga in Veenendaal (NL), achieved an honorable 4th place in the national competition for “De Gouden IJscreatie” ("The Golden Ice Cream Creation"). Caramelised pecans from Virgin Nuts were part of her creation "Wedding in the cherry garden".

Kirsten already knows that Virgin Nuts’ products are #absolutelydelicious and also especially suitable for ice cream. Thanks to the artisanal coating, (diced) almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, etc. get an essential barrier to lock in the flavour of the nuts and to preserve their crunchiness. Depending on the production method of #icecream, an optionally additional layer of coconut oil prevents the sugar from draining.

Only natural ingredients
Virgin Nuts works with natural ingredients only. All products are produced fresh on order and if requested, we can produce your ingredients peanut free. This ensures that even more people can enjoy your (customer's) ice cream.

Kirsten’s caramelised pecans are #loveatfirstbite and produced with (beet) sugar. Other sugars, like for instance unrefined cane sugar, are possible too. We congratulate Kirsten and we already look forward to assisting her in a top 3 position in the next competition.

More information on nuts in ice cream solutions? Do not hesitate to contact us.

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Virgin Nuts core values, 5 important promises to you

Besides living up to the highest quality, food safety, CSR, human rights and fair business standards and supporting charities, we also make the best coated nuts in the world and more... And we cannot do this without our committed staff and loyal customers. Together we’ve defined 5 core values that emphasize who we are and what we do, hence our main promises to you: #thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural… thus100%!

To remind ourselves every day, our core values are distributed on the walls of both our main as well as our #peanutfree factory. Entering the factories, our slogan above the entrances shows that we’re stepping into the world where we make the best coated nuts and more.

Once in the factories, everywhere we look, we’re encouraged by our 5 main promises to you:

T = Thinkinginsolutions
Whether it’s an issue with nuts in chocolate or ice cream, a certain new taste or time pressure, there’s always a solution. We’re open to new ideas and we do our utmost to find the best solution for you. No matter the issue, we’re always #thinkinginsolutions.

H =Highquality
Quality is key! Only the best is good enough for you. Our service and our endless range of caramelised and dry roasted snack products and ingredients are all #highquality.

U = Uniqueproducts
Our unique artisanal process provides nuts, seeds and cereals with a great roasted texture as an ideal barrier that locks in the flavour. Developing at least 5 new #outsidethebox products each month, and producing peanut free if requested, we can truly say that we offer you #uniqueproducts.

S = Serviceonly
Large or small orders, we can easily adapt our production. Our lead times are short and we produce all products fresh on order. We offer you fair day prices and prompt response to your requests. We’ll always go the extra mile, hence #serviceonly.

100% = 100%natural
No artificial colouring or flavouring and no unnecessary additions. Our caramelised and dry roasted products are clean label, thus #100%natural.

... thus100%!

To find out what we can do for you, simply contact us.

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Almonds vs cookies

At Virgin Nuts we’re always developing new flavour combinations. Our recent product innovation just screams to be shown to the world. Where the combination nuts in cookies is quite common, we turned the world upside-down and created… nuts in cookies! You may think it’s the same, but it’s surprisingly different and #absolutelydelicious, if we may say so.

No need to choose either cookies or nuts no more. With our crunchy caramelised almonds coated in typical crumbled Belgian speculoos biscuits, you can have it all. A yummy clash of flavours and #loveatfirstbite.

Speculoos or speculaas?
Speculoos sounds like the Dutch #speculaas, but is kinda different. Where speculaas contains various spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, etc.), speculoos contains hardly any spices and indulgent candy syrup or caramelised sugar instead.

For those who prefer the spicy speculaas taste, we have Gingerbread almonds. A goldie olie that’s always a hit, especially in autumn and winter. Well, the taste of Caramelised speculoos almonds is not season related. Besides a delicious snack it also makes a great combination with seeds or cereals. We have it all, so if you’re already hungry, don't hesitate to contact us.

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Crispy breakfast next level

Honey coated hazelnuts, caramelised diced almonds or maple pumpkin seeds. Examples of ingredients to bring your granola, muesli or cruesli to the next level. Our caramelised nuts, seeds and grains are #100%natural and the key differentiator for your breakfast cereals and (salad) toppings.

Virgin Nuts is the producer of (ingredients in) many well-known breakfast cereals. Our caramelised nuts, seeds and cereals not only add an #absolutelydelicious flavour, but also an irresistible crunch to distinguish your granola, muesli or cruesli from swampy equivalents. For a special flavour we can combine the caramel with honey, cinnamon, maple, vanilla or gingerbread. Take a look at our portfolio for a small impression.

Peanut free
We produce our #loveatfirstbite granola (ingredients) fresh on order and, optionally, #peanutfree. This ensures that even more people can enjoy your (customer's) granola, muesli or cruesli, because a crunchy breakfast in the morning brightens up your whole day.

If you want to discuss which ingredients can lift up your granola, muesli or cruesli, just contact us.

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Trees for All | Compensating our CO2-emissions

While selling and producing our #absolutelydelicious sweet coated and dry roasted nuts, seeds and cereals, unavoidably CO2 is emitted. To fulfil our mission to contribute to a green and healthier earth, we reduce our CO2-emissions to the max. By supporting #treesforall sustainable forestry projects, we aim to offset for the rest. As a CO2-sponsor we’re proud to participate in planting a new forest in Uganda. Thanks to reforesting, the habitat of the animals is extended, the primeval forest is protected and a positive contribution is made to the climate.

Kibale National Park in Uganda is one of East Africa’s most impressive rainforests, harbouring a wealth of flora and fauna. With compensating for our #carbonfootprint, we also support the local population benefitting from the Kibale forest project. Locals help with tree cultivating (from primaeval forest seedlings), planting and forest management and are trained to manage tree nurseries independently. Read more....

Trees for All
The Trees for All foundation, established in 1999, fights against climate change by (re)afforestation. Together with their sponsors, so far they’ve planted millions of trees in the Netherlands and abroad. Trees for All is a non-commercial provider of CO2 compensation in the Netherlands and the only provider with a CBF (fundraising regulator) quality mark.

With their projects in developing countries, Trees for All contributes to improving the living conditions of the local population. An added bonus is that trees grow faster in the tropics, hence absorbing more carbon dioxide. All forestry projects are certified and guarantee the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed. The social, economic and ecological impact of all #treesforall projects is continually monitored and checked.

Join us in contributing to a green and healthy earth and become partner or donate 2 or more trees directly.

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Watch out: safe nuts coming through

Virgin Nuts means #highquality and #100%natural and of course our nut coating factories and warehouses need to be #100%safe. That’s why our complete staff recently passed the quinquennial forklift truck exam.

We produce all #absolutelydelicious products fresh on order. Nuts, seeds and cereals come in and sweet coated and dry roasted ones go out. With forklift trucks we carry them to the place to be. Needless to say that this internal transport needs to be carried out safely, in the various departments of our factory and warehouse. Besides all #BRCGSFoodSafety related trainings, we also train our staff how to handle a forklift.

To proof that they can drive both safely and responsibly and that they can work accurately and professionally with the machines, all employees were tested on their theoretical and practical skills. The exam is all about:

• technical control

• loading and unloading

• driving procedures

• dealing with small manoeuvrable spaces

• stacking and unstacking loads at height
 

Due to corona related adjustments, our staff was examined personally or in groups of 2, to ensure the required physical distance. We’re proud and happy to report that everyone passed the exam (yeah!). Their certificates are valid for the duration of 5 years.

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Bee engaged!

Virgin Nuts is well-known for #absolutelydelicious #honey coated nuts, seeds and cereals. As we all know, honey is a sweet, syrup-like food substance that bees produce from the nectar of flowering plants. For several years now, bees and other pollinators are increasingly under threat from human activities.

Pollination is, however, a fundamental process for the survival of our ecosystems. To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, United Nations designated 20 May as #WorldBeeDay.

The goal is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which would significantly contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries.

Even though at Virgin Nuts we have more delicious #100%natural flavours, we all depend on the survival of bees and it is, therefore, crucial to monitor their decline and halt the loss of biodiversity.

More info: United Nations - World Bee Day.

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Pecans, crunchy and icy

Ice cream can be topped or filled with many ingredients (fruit, sauces, chocolate, etc.), but of course we prefer ice cream with caramelised nuts. Especially these sunny days, we crave a single portion of ice cream with caramel and #absolutelydelicious caramelised pecans… #yummie!

Of course, not only pecan nuts are suitable for #icecream. Thanks to our artisanal caramelisation process all types of (diced) nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc.) get an essential barrier to lock in the flavour of the nuts and to preserve their crunchiness. Depending on the production method of ice cream, an optionally additional layer of coconut oil prevents the sugar from draining.

Various flavours
For an extra #100%natural flavour, we can add honey, maple, cinnamon, vanilla or gingerbread to the caramel. And if you want to #gowild, why not add natural herbs or spices? Imagine caramel and sea salt or maple and chili in your ice cream…

Peanut free, naturally
To ensure that even more people can enjoy your delicious ice cream, on request we can produce your ice cream ingredients #peanutfree.

Interested and/or need help to solve your #soggynuts problem in ice cream? Contact us.

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Flavourful Honey rosemary chili almonds

Almonds are one of the most popular nuts in Europe and the United States and famous for their versatility and health benefits. When this source of vitamins is produced with our #100%natural honey, herbs and spices, it makes almonds even more popular! Like our Honey rosemary chili almonds, which is just one out of many examples of #absolutelydelicious #almond snacks. Picture a combination of hearty brown almonds, sweet and full honey, fragrant rosemary and spicy chili…

All our #highquality caramelised almonds are perfect as a snack, but also as an ingredient in many applications (ice cream, chocolate, etc.). We coat almonds in all varieties, such as wholes (natural and blanched), diced, splitted, slivered, etc. Just with sugar, or with added honey, cinnamon, maple, vanilla or gingerbread.

The sweet and the savoury
Do you prefer “the sweet and the savoury”? We can make it happen! Every day, we combine a sweet base with natural sea salt, herbs and spices into #uniqueproducts. For an impression, just take a look at our portfolio.

The savoury without the sweet
For everyone who chooses savoury over sweet, we have our dry roasted and spiced product line. And the best news: in both our product lines, you can choose your own favourite combination of spices and herbs. If Dry roasted rosemary chili almonds is not your ‘cup of tea’, just let us know which combination you prefer and we make it happen #thinkinginsolutions #serviceonly. You’re just one phone call (+31317612019) or email away from a new and distinctive #loveatfirstbite snack product. Enjoy!

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Virgin Nuts around the world

Virgin Nuts is a specialist caramelised and dry roasted nuts producing company for over 10 years. Our first product was sold in The Netherlands, our home country, but today we sell to almost every country in Europe and even to countries beyond. From Iceland to New Zealand, from the United States to Laos. And more countries are eager to turn green on our “Virgin Nuts discovered” world map.

Based in The Netherlands, it’s logical that our focus is mainly on Europe. Every once in a while, however, other continents discover our #absolutelydelicious caramelised and dry roasted nuts, seeds and cereals and bring them to their fellow citizens. Either #loveatfirstbite snack nuts or as breakfast cereals, ingredients in chocolate and ice cream, salad toppings, etc.

We customize our products and processes to meet our customer’s requirements. All products are produced fresh on order, using only natural ingredients. No artificial colouring, nor flavouring in our products, just clean label. Besides being committed to making the most delicious and striking products, we live up to the highest standards. Virgin Nuts is BRCGS Food Safety AA-level certified, since our early beginnings.

With our proven recipe and unique coating process, we can truly say that Virgin Nuts rocks the nut market. Nowadays not only in Europe, but also far beyond. #welcomeworld

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Virgin Nuts = #thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
 

Holiday @ Home | Part I

We’re delighted to see the world slowely opening up again, after the COVID-19 restrictions. Ten to one it makes you long for a relaxing holiday abroad. If you think it's still too soon, no worries! Virgin Nuts flavours your Holiday @ Home with delicious snack nuts in worldly flavours.

In this animation, we firstly visit some European countries. Watch and ride along to...

• Belgium with Caramelised speculoos almonds

• France with Honey persillade peanuts/cashews

• Spain with a Caramelised Al-Andalus nut mix

• Germany with Dry roasted curry wurst mix of almonds, cashews and peanuts

• Scandinavia with Caramelised liquorice almonds

• UK and Ireland with a Caramelised salt & vinegar seed mix

• Italy with Dry roasted Italian funghi almonds

• The Netherlands with Caramelised Dutch stew almonds

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Virgin Nuts = #thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
 

Holiday @ Home | Part II

After 'travelling' through Europe last week, this week we cross the world seas. If you think it's still too soon, no worries! Virgin Nuts flavours your Holiday @ Home with delicious snack nuts in worldly flavours.

In this animation, we visit some overseas destinations. Watch and sail along to...

• Australia and New Zealand with Honey BBQ almonds

• Canada with Maple (chili) almonds

• Tropics with a Nuts, coco & berries

• South Africa with Dry roasted African braai nut mix

• USA with Dry roasted ketchup nut mix

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Virgin Nuts = #thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
 

Holiday @ Home | Part III

In this 3rd and, for now, last part, we go east (from our perspective). Come, travel with us without moving. Virgin Nuts flavours your Holiday @ Home with delicious snack nuts in worldly flavours.

In this animation, we visit some eastern countries. Watch and come along to...

• Japan with Dry roasted wasabi nuts & seeds

• Thailand with Caramelised (red) curry almonds

• India with a Dry roasted curry nut mix

• all oriental countries with Dry roasted oriental spiced nuts & seeds

• China with Honey 5 spices almonds

• Morocco with Caramelised ras el hanout nut mix

• Indonesia with Caramelised soto peanuts

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Virgin Nuts = #thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural
 

Our packaging: less is more

Less plastic is a worldwide mission. While producing #absolutelydelicious coated nuts, seeds and cereals, we aim to fulfil our corporate social responsibility to protect people, planet and profits. These 3 P’s are embedded in our philosophy to live and work together for the common good. One of our missions to achieve this, is to reduce plastic and we’re pleased to announce that we’ve taken a small, but good step forward. And yes, each step we take reveals a new horizon.

Refuse, Reuse or Reduce
Plastic: it’s either Refuse, Reuse or Reduce. We would love to refuse plastic, but as long as this compromises the food safety and shelf life of our products, it’s not feasible. Reusing plastic is what we aim for, separating all recyclable plastic that enters our factories. And even though the amount of plastic used at our premises is relatively low (2% of our packaging material), we’re always striving for further reduction. With our new smaller and thinner (but just as strong) food liners, we reduce the plastic by 3% per 12.5kg carton of #loveatfirstbite products.

We strongly believe that every effort to fulfil either one of these R’s will make the world a better place. Less is better. Less is more.

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Virgin Nuts = #thinkinginsolutions #highquality #uniqueproducts #serviceonly #100%natural