INNOVATION INSPIRATION FROM THE UK: PUTTING WALNUTS AT THE CENTRE OF THE PLATE

What happens when walnuts move from a familiar ingredient to the centre of a meal? UK brand Whitworths provides an innovative example with Nutty Kitchen Supermince, a plant-based mince alternative made from California walnuts, lentils and red quinoa. With walnuts accounting for 55% of the product, they are the hero ingredient of the concept.

Designed as a versatile alternative to conventional mince, Nutty Kitchen Supermince can be used in familiar dishes such as pasta, chilli, tacos and curries. The range includes an original version as well as Italian, Mexican and Indian varieties, each with its own seasoning blend.

The concept also takes walnuts beyond their traditional category. According to Whitworths, Nutty Kitchen Supermince is positioned in the plant-based and meat-alternative chiller rather than the traditional nuts, seeds and dried fruit fixture. In doing so, the product introduces walnuts to new lunch and dinner occasions.

For food manufacturers and product developers, the UK example demonstrates how walnuts can take a central role in product innovation and open up new applications and meal occasions beyond traditional walnut uses. Nutty Kitchen Supermince was submitted for the INC Innovation Award and has also received the 2026 Product of the Year Award in the Meat-Free category.

→ Discover Whitworths Nutty Kitchen Supermince and the story behind the innovation