Maria Dawson started working at Clearspring as Sales & Marketing Manager in 2012. However, she has been part of Clearspring for most of her life as the daughter of founder Christopher Dawson. Maria has grown up cooking and eating Clearspring products and supporting the family business; whether hosting tastings in stores, talking to customers or spending family ‘holidays’ visiting suppliers in Japan. She is the ultimate encyclopedia for all things Clearspring!
What inspired the expansion from a few Japanese organic products to over 300 diverse offerings today?
Given our motto to ‘work and play to convert one more acre back to organic each day’ it was inevitable that we would continue to grow our product offering. Clearspring was founded to help support organic, artisanal and traditional Japanese producers and craftsmanship. In 2000, as more people began to demand a wider range of products that met the Clearspring standard, we started to grow our offering. Alongside our Japanese range, we have an award-winning range of Italian Organic Cold Pressed Oils, Vinegars and Fruit Purees, authentic and Organic Thai Noodles and a delicious range of premium Organic Coconut products from Sri Lanka. What has not changed is our commitment to exceptional flavour, premium quality, organic and plant-based foods. And we’re still an independent family business!
Can you share some insights into the traditional methods used in crafting your Japanese specialties and why they are important?
The secret to the uniqueness and flavour of our Organic Japanese products is the truly remarkable craftsmanship and expertise of the producers we work with. They only use the finest quality organic ingredients and use traditional methods and techniques that give our products a flavour you can’t achieve using more modern, mass-market production. An example of this is our authentic Japanese Miso products which are carefully aged and fermented to hit the perfect sweet spot that delivers Miso flavour as it should. There is also our exceptional and award-winning Organic Yaemon Tamari which is made in traditional wooden kegs and fermented over two summers to deliver a silky-smooth texture and rich, double-strength taste that is outstanding. Whilst it takes longer to make these products, the proof really is in the taste.
A principle that we use across all our products is that they should be minimally processed to deliver maximum flavour and nutritional value. This is extremely important to us and is something that we have been consistent on since day one. It is more important now than ever, as more people discover the harmful effects of ultra processed foods.
«The secret to the uniqueness and flavour of our Organic Japanese products is the truly remarkable craftsmanship and expertise of the producers we work with»
What are some unique challenges in maintaining high standards of quality and authenticity across your product range?
There is never a question about Clearspring lowering the standard by which our products are made. Whether that be the quality of the ingredients we use, or the efforts our producers put into ensuring that each product delivers on taste, quality and nutritional value. We are aware however that there are cheaper, inauthentic and non-organic products available to shoppers. Our challenge, which we heartily accept, is to show people the Clearspring difference. When you see the Clearspring logo, you can rest assured that there is no compromise. As well as being organic and plant-based, all our products are refined sugar free, non-GMO and free from all artificial colours, flavours and additives.
Innovation is a Clearspring fundamental—what exciting new products or recipe blends are you most excited about?
We are very excited to announce the launch of our very first sweet grab-and-go snacks range, with a unique twist. The new additions to our offering are a charming trio of premium quality Organic Oat Biscuits available in Miso Maple, Matcha and Date flavour. Made using the finest organic ingredients, they deliver moreish sweet flavours which include Japanese inspiration, whilst being refined sugar free, high in fibre and plant based. Each 40g pack contains six flavour-filled biscuits, making it a perfect sweet-treat to grab and enjoy on the go, to add to lunch boxes or to savour with a hot cup of tea or a cold beverage.
These delicious Oat Biscuits are made by fourth generation artisanal family craft bakers in the Scottish Highlands, where they have been mastering the art of great baking for over four decades. The biscuits are made using the finest organic Scottish wholegrain oats and premium organic ingredients to create a biscuit dough which once ready is baked to perfection in small batches to ensure that the taste and texture is perfect with every bite. Clearspring’s Organic Oat Biscuits are also palm oil free.
They are made using organic coconut oil and olive oil which give the oat biscuits a delicious depth of flavour.
«A principle that we use across all our products is that they should be minimally processed to deliver maximum flavour and nutritional value»
Sustainability is crucial today. Can you tell us about your initiatives, like removing plastic trays from your seaweed crispies?
Clearspring is committed to continually moving towards even greater sustainability. Over the past few years, we have made a lot of packaging upgrades, to make them more eco-friendly. Our Organic Japanese Teabag range for example is now completely plastic free and home compostable. The sachets are recyclable in the paper waste stream and the cartons manufactured using FSC certified paperboard with vegetable inks. Our Organic Atlantic Sea Vegetables are zero waste and are packed in home compostable inner bags and recyclable outer paperboard boxes.
One of the biggest and most impactful changes has been the removal of the plastic tray from our best-selling Organic Seaveg Crispies. It took a long time to ensure that we could make the change without compromising the taste and crispiness of this delicious nori snack. The change has meant that which have eliminated almost five million single-use plastic trays each year, the equivalent of nearly 18 tonnes of waste. The outer pack of the Seaveg Crispies Multipack has also had an upgrade and is now made from a recyclable paper-based material.
How do you balance the market momentum with staying true to the brand’s roots and core values?
It is funny that you ask because we were talking about this in the office just the other day. Clearspring’s ethos, values and principles have never changed, it’s actually the market that is finally catching up with us. We have been organic, plant-based and refined sugar free since day one, which was over 30 years ago. An increasing number of shoppers are now moving towards organic, plant-based and minimally processed foods, which is what has been at the core of our product range.
Author: Oriol Urrutia, Co-Editor
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