The summer holiday period is nearly upon us, which means Brits are either going to be jetting off to sunnier climes or enjoying barbecues and park picnics back home. Whatever your plans are, they are likely to involve some of the delicious treats we enjoy when it is warm outside, from ice-cream and smoothies to pavlovas and cheesecakes.
Here are some tips on how cafes and restaurants can sell their delicious summer goodies using environmentally-friendly packaging.
Smoothie / juice cups
There’s never a better time to enjoy a refreshing glass of smoothie or freshly-squeezed juice than when it is scorching hot outside. That is why it is a good idea to add lots of healthy cold beverages to your menu over the next couple of months.
Serving them in recyclable tumblers, these cups are made from rPET and PLA plastic. Therefore, they can be composted or recycled easily, along with the lids.
You might want to create something truly unique for your smoothie, or why not stick to the favourite smoothie flavour of all time – strawberry banana? Other popular choices are blueberry, mango, green and avocado smoothies.
Fresh juices are also popular, so consider selling homemade orange, apple, lemon or green juices to keep everyone who passes through your door cool.
Berry pavlova
Pavlovas covered in dollops of double cream and plenty of fresh berries are a favourite in the UK over the summer months but they can be really difficult to package, thanks to the crumbly meringue and runny toppings.
That is why it is important to serve them in strong deli containers that won’t get soggy if it takes the customer ages to eat it. Get pots with lids, so they can keep their pudding safe at the same time as making sure none of the berry juices leak on their clothes or in their bag.
Ice-creams
The one thing both kids and adults want when it’s a heatwave is a cooling ice-cream in the afternoon, so it’s sensible to stock up on plenty just in case the temperature soars one day.
There are lots of delicious flavours to choose from, whether you opt for a classic one like rum and raisin or mint choc chip, or something more unusual like Vietnamese coffee ice-cream.
You can serve them in wafer or waffle cones, but make sure you always have a stash of ice-cream tubs to hand as well, as these are a much tidier option that many people prefer.
Don’t forget to get ice-cream lids and biodegradable wooden ice-cream spades as well.
Cheesecakes
We can’t get enough of creamy desserts in the summer and cheesecakes are both easy to make and incredibly popular.
Watch slices of Gin & Tonic cheesecake fly off the shelves this summer, as customers enjoy their favourite alcoholic beverage in this scrumptious pudding.
The zesty addition of lemon and lime, the crunch of meringue topping, and the sharpness of the gin will make this dessert a sell-out over the summer months, so make sure you get enough packaging to serve individual slices to all your hungry customers.
Traybakes
It is also important not to neglect ‘dry’ desserts like traybakes, as these will remain a firm favourite at any time of the year.
They are easy to grab and go, and don’t require any cutlery if you need to eat them at your desk during a hectic lunchtime. They stay mess-free in sustainable deli boxes, so all the crumbs remain contained and not all over the floor, and, most importantly, they won’t melt if it happens to be a sunny day.
This apricot and pistachio frangipane blondie recipe is a great alternative to denser brownie traybakes, making it perfect for the summer. If you would like to find out more about how Elpack Packaging Solutions can assist your business, or discuss your bespoke packaging needs, get in touch with our expert team today! Call us on 01425 524021 or drop us an email at info@elpack.co.uk
