NOW CLOSED: Ella's Kitchen Dairy products review thread: Super Smooth + Creamy Fromage Frais, Raspberry Rice Pudding and Thick + Smooth Yoghurt

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the 100 MNers and their LO's who have been trying the new dairy range from Ella's Kitchen. On test are:

NEW super smooth + creamy fromage frais
~ 20% real squished fruit
~ Whole milk is a natural source of calcium
~ Organic
~ RRP £1.89

NEW stir me up raspberry rice pudding
~ real squished fruit
~ natural creamy wholemilk
~ Organic
~ RRP £1.09

NEW chilled out thick + smooth yoghurt
~ 20% real squeezed fruit
~ Whole milk is a natural source of calcium
~ Organic
~ RRP £1.79

Testers - please let us know what you and your LO thought of the foods by answering the following questions:

Q1 First impressions of the packs - how was the labelling? Did the pack design appeal to you?
Q2 Did you think the size of the pots was right for your LO?
Q3 Taste test: what was the verdict? How was the consistency/ texture of the puddings?
Q4 Which product was your LO's favourite
Q5 When did you serve them up? As a snack or after a meal?
Q6 Child's view point: what did your LO say/ indicate?
Q7 What do you think of the price?
Q8 Overall: your overall view? Will you buy them again? Why/ why not?

As a thank you for taking part all testers who add feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a month's supply of Ella's kitchen products and an Ella's Kitchen cow print cool bag (worth £45 in total).

thanks
MNHQ

1. I did find the packs appealing, and clearly Ella's Kitchen. I wondered though if the cardboard outer was entirely necessary though, from an environmental point of view.
2. Size wise - perfect I think for a baby or toddler, just right for my 13 month old.
3. We didn't manage to get hold of the rice puddings, but the yogurts & fromage frais went down very well, lovely thick consistency, my reflux suffering toddler didn't suffer any 'repeats' after eating them.
4. The banana fromage frais seemed to be the favourite.
5. Given as a pudding after evening meal.
6. L.O indicated that he liked them by eating them all up!
7. On the pricey side, would probably wait for an offer.
8. Overall very good, in my opinion they're a step on from the 'plum' baby fromage frais - they seem a little more suited to the older baby or toddler due to the larger size and brighter more toddler eye catching packaging.

1. I love Ella's Kitchen package. It was very bright and engaging, with what was snide written in big letters on the front. DD also lives the packaging and was just looking at it (before putting it in her mouth)!

1. My DD would have eaten all the pack if I'd let her I think. It is just right to have of a snack/dessert and I liked the fact they were in twos, which is how much she would have in a day. I usually have to put yogurt in fruit so that she likes the taste, but she did have these on their own.

1. I really liked the yogurts and fromage frais, but the blueberry consistency is not how I like it (I don't like rice pudding)

1. the blueberry rice pudding was DD's favourite, so there could have been more in the pack. She's does love berries so raspberry would have been nice too, since I don't tend to buy them.

1. I served them as both a snack and dessert. It was easier as dessert and she is in the 'mode' and knows she has to eat her food to get it.

1. DD seemed to like them all, by preferred the rice puddings.

1. I think the price is OK since it is the same as the rest of the market. Baby yogurts are always more expensive, but I don't mind because of there being less sugars.

1. I would buy them again but perhaps only one a day since they are quite expensive and I do still like to give DD pieces of fruit since I think they are more nutritious.

Sorry its taken so long to reply, it was one of those things I was going to do, but just kept thinking I will do that first then forgot

Anyway

Q1 First impressions of the packs - how was the labelling? Did the pack design appeal to you?
It was nice and bright and colourful. I liked it

Q2 Did you think the size of the pots was right for your LO?
Yes my DD2 loves yoghurt for a pudding and was just right for her.

Q3 Taste test: what was the verdict? How was the consistency/ texture of the puddings?
Well DD2 polished them off so I can only take from that, that the taste was lovely for her

Q4 Which product was your LO's favourite
I cant say as being 17MO DD2 was unable to tell me, but she ate them all.

Q5 When did you serve them up? As a snack or after a meal?
As a pudding, like I do all yoghurts

Q6 Child's view point: what did your LO say/ indicate?
That they were nice

Q7 What do you think of the price?
Will probably only buy on offer, though not extortionate so wouldn't not buy if there was nothing else.

Q8 Overall: your overall view? Will you buy them again? Why/ why not?
I would buy them again if they were on offer, but Id buy other cheaper yoghurts first.

Q1 First impressions of the packs - how was the labelling? Did the pack design appeal to you?

I liked the bright colours and rounded edges.

Q2 Did you think the size of the pots was right for your LO?

Yes but DS will happily eat two of any yoghurt in any sitting!

Q3 Taste test: what was the verdict? How was the consistency/ texture of the puddings?

DS would only try the yoghurts - the rice pudding and fromage frais were both met with 'no no no' - but that's more to do with him than the products I think!
He loved the strawberry yoghurt, but found the pineapple one a little sweet judging from his expression.
I thought the texture looked good, and I loved the idea of a rice pudding like this.

Q4 Which product was your LO's favourite

Strawberry yoghurt

Q5 When did you serve them up? As a snack or after a meal?

After a meal.

Q6 Child's view point: what did your LO say/ indicate?

He's only just two but showed that he liked the strawberry yoghurt by asking for another!

Q7 What do you think of the price?

Quite expensive I think

Q8 Overall: your overall view? Will you buy them again? Why/ why not?

Perhaps in the future when DS's fussiness is less. I hope to be able to buy them again.

Firstly, I could only obtain the yoghurts and Fromage Frais as could not get the rice pudding pots.

Secondly, thanks for the chance of doing these testers

Q1 First impressions of the packs - how was the labelling? Did the pack design appeal to you?

Pack design was vibrant and easy to spot on the shelves. Not so sure the cardboard packaging was necessary.

Q2 Did you think the size of the pots was right for your LO?

My little boy is just over two and is a bit of a greedy guts and to be honest 2 pots was barely enough!

Q3 Taste test: what was the verdict? How was the consistency/ texture of the puddings?

Taste seemed fine, my little boy thought so too. Consistency was just as it should be.

Q4 Which product was your LO's favourite

My boy liked them all apart from the banana one (although he still ate it!!)

Q5 When did you serve them up? As a snack or after a meal?

Generally they were served as pudding after a meal.

Q6 Child's view point: what did your LO say/ indicate?

He was happily eating them so and asked for More!

Q7 What do you think of the price?

Quite expensive to be honest.

Q8 Overall: your overall view? Will you buy them again? Why/ why not?

I may buy them now and again if on offer as too pricey for everyday esp considering the size of them. I used to buy the Petis filous/other brand i can't remember name of and stopped buying these because a) expensive and b) too much bad stuff in them and now usually give my boy Natural Yoghurt with fruit in. 1 large tub of natural yoghurt can last 3 days (1 day por portion) for 66p!!and mix any bits of fruit that are in the house in to them. Much cheaper and much healthier. But for things like Nursery or days out it is sometimes handy to have them in small ready bought pots but again these would be a treat and bought on special offer.

Q1 First impressions of the packs - how was the labelling? Did the pack design appeal to you? Very nice. Quite eyecatching.

Q2 Did you think the size of the pots was right for your LO? The yoghurts and fromage frais were ok but the rice pud was really small. Dd ate those in two spoons.

Q3 Taste test: what was the verdict? How was the consistency/ texture of the puddings? Rice pud was a bit synthetic tasting but the yoghurts were ok. Nice to see some different flavours.

Q4 Which product was your LO's favourite
She loved the rice pud and the mango fromage frais

Q5 When did you serve them up? As a snack or after a meal? After a meal as a dessert.

Q6 Child's view point: what did your LO say/ indicate? Not a lot tbh. She did ask for more of the rice pud and got excited when the yoghurts came out.

Q7 What do you think of the price? More than I would normally pay for a product like this. Especially the small packs of rice puds and fromage frais

Q8 Overall: your overall view? Will you buy them again? Why/ why not? Dd seemed to really enjoy them but I would only buy them when on offer.

Q1 First impressions of the packs - how was the labelling? Did the pack design appeal to you?
Nice bright colours, The pack design definitely appeals
Q2 Did you think the size of the pots was right for your LO?
Yes
Q3 Taste test: what was the verdict? How was the consistency/ texture of the puddings?
Enjoyed yoghurt and fromage frais - not sure about rice pudding.
Q4 Which product was your LO's favourite
Fromage frais
Q5 When did you serve them up? As a snack or after a meal?
Have tried both
Q6 Child's view point: what did your LO say/ indicate?
Yummy. would have eaten more than one at a time if allowed!
Q7 What do you think of the price?
A bit expensive when compared to comparable products
Q8 Overall: your overall view? Will you buy them again? Why/ why not?
Would buy them again,
They seem like good quality and I like the brand background but wouldn't necessarliy buy them again unless on offer

1. I really liked the colours and style of the pots. Agree the cardboard sleeve is unnecessary.

1. Size was really good, just the right amount.

1. My daughter found the fromage frais a bit bland and the rice pudding not flavoured enough either. The yoghurt she preferred.

1. The yoghurts.

1. Generally as part of a meal but they are very handy as snacks too.

1. Not keen on the rice pudding (but she doesn't like other brands either). She liked the yoghurts.

1. I am happy to pay this sort of price for good quality products that my daughter enjoys. I would need to feel she really likes them though as otherwise it would feel like a waste.

1. Yes I would buy them again, particularly the yoghurts.

Thank you for letting us try the products, sorry about the late feedback.

I tried the products on my daughter who is 17months old

Q1 First impressions of the packs - how was the labelling? Did the pack design appeal to you?

They were really nice, the bright colours stand out on the shelves, it is definitely something that would appeal to me while looking for new products for my daughter.

Q2 Did you think the size of the pots was right for your LO?

Yes, I did think that the size were right.

Q3 Taste test: what was the verdict? How was the consistency/ texture of the puddings?

RP: she had one spoon of it, then cried, I tried several days later and she cried at the sight of the pot. (shame as I thought it was really nice)

Y: Again she tried one spoon of the strawberry and pear one, and wasn't impress, this time, she tried to run away from her highchair. I tried the yogurt and I thought they were a bit too sour.

FF: this one I tricked her into eating it, I knew she would cry as soon as she saw the pot, so I did put it in a small ramekin, she did eat it all, but it took a bit of persuasion.

Q4 Which product was your LO's favourite

I think the mango fromage frais was her favourite one considering that is the only one she finished.

Q5 When did you serve them up? As a snack or after a meal?

after a meal.

Q6 Child's view point: what did your LO say/ indicate?

she cried at the sight of the pots :)

Q7 What do you think of the price?

I think they were a bit expensive, but if my daughter liked them then I would have considered buying them for her.

Q8 Overall: your overall view? Will you buy them again? Why/ why not?

I am afraid we won't buy them again as she decided it wasn't for her.

Thanks again.

Sorry my laptop is on the blink so can't see the questions but hopefully my feedback will fit into them somehow!

Packaging was nice, easy to spot on the shelves but I chucked the card away to fit in the fridge so perhaps not environmentally friendly!

Ds (2) was excited about trying them. Served up both as snack and as pudding (specifically the rice pudding) but he hasn't finished one to date. He generally eats/tries everything and has various kids yogurts (munch bunch/own brand fromage frais) plus natural yogurt with fruit etc I can't put my finger on why he isn't keen, have tried myself and they are nice enough, maybe a bit bland for my taste, v creamy though. They are also quite big, ds is used to smaller portioned yogurts. In saying that, I have known him wolf down a grown ups size yogurt given half the chance!

I wouldn't buy them as ds isn't that keen but also thought they were expensive for max 4. It'd be better having 6/8 in half sized pots for that price, especially as they seem to be aimed at toddlers/pre-schoolers

Thank you for the vouchers and lunch bag, sorry late giving feedback DD has been poorly.

My DD is 18 months.

Q1 First impressions of the packs - how was the labelling? Did the pack design appeal to you?
Yes it did.
Bright, funky and eyecatching.

Q2 Did you think the size of the pots was right for your LO?
The yoghurts were larger than I usually give her but she had no problems polishing them off!

Q3 Taste test: what was the verdict? How was the consistency/ texture of the puddings?
DD was not too keen on the rice pudding, the FF and the yogs were a little bitter compared to Petite Filous and she wasn't too sure at first but we persevered.

Q4 Which product was your LO's favourite
Probably the yogs.

Q5 When did you serve them up? As a snack or after a meal?
Both, I tried the rice pudding as a snack but she still wouldn't try it.

Q6 Child's view point: what did your LO say/ indicate?
DD was not too keen at first with the packaging and the taste.
She is feeding herself at the moment and probably didn't recognise the pots so I had to wrangle the spoon from her to get some in to start her off.

Q7 What do you think of the price?
Expensive for the size and quantity.

Q8 Overall: your overall view? Will you buy them again? Why/ why not?
Maybe the yogs as they are bigger than what we have now but only occasionally.

Hello - thanks for all the feedback - am pleased to say the winner of the month's supply of Ella's Kitchen products and the cool bag is Griselda.

Apologies for another late feedback

I was actually very disappointed that in 2 Tesco extra and 1 large ASDA, I was only able to get the fromage frais in ASDA and none of the other products. Indeed I was met with puzzled looks and 'we don't stock them' from Tesco.

The vouchers expired and still I cannot find more than fromage frais

That said, the twins really did enjoy them and wolfed them down.

I just wish the other products were available for me to try.