UK: Cauldron Foods

[EFCliz]

Thought people might be interested in this. Our Sainsbury's has a new Falafel Bites in it, and it it says it contains milk on the box, but not listed anywhere in the ingredients. I e-mailed them and got this reply:

Thanks for your e-mail. Yes, the Falafel Bites are suitable for Vegans, unfortunately there is a mistake on the packaging regarding the milk, this has been pointed out to our printers and the next run of packaging will be amended.

I am also attaching a copy of our Vegan Product List.

Sorry for the confusion.


This is the product list she sent:

Original Tofu
Marinated Tofu
Organic Original Tofu
Organic Savoury Beech-smoked Tofu
Organic Marinated Tofu Pieces
Marinated Tofu Pieces

Herb Pâté
Soya & Mushroom Pâté
Chickpea and Black Olive Pâté


Carrot, Peanut & Onion Nut Burgers
Spicy Bean Burgers
Organic Falafel
Falafel
Falafel Bites

Savoury Burger
Chilli Burger

[Jamie]

What is falafel bites? is it just mini falafels?

[aubergine]

Those Carrot Peanut and Onion burgers are very tasty.

[Marrers]

It's a real disappointment that Cauldron Foods don't do more vegan stuff. None of the sausages are vegan and whenever there are new products launched they all seem to contain egg.
Often there is only Quorn and them in the supermarket but the majority they stock is no good for us.

[Troutina]

That's really nice of them to send you a vegan list!
I wish more stuff was vegan, even though I cant stand any sausages other than Linda McCartney.

[Mr Flibble]

Did Linda McCartney consent to being made into sausages before she died then? If not they I don't think you can call them vegan.

[Pob]

Have you tried the frozen Realeat ones? They're pretty good.

[Troutina]

Did Linda McCartney consent to being made into sausages before she died then? If not they I don't think you can call them vegan.

HAHA!!

Realeat ones?
I didn't know they existed!
But probably not, they all turn my stomach!

[EFCliz]

I like the Realeat ones best but they are SOOO fatty!! They Fry's ones are nice but expensive and they've got something hideous like 3g of salt each in them.

I did say in my reply to the lady from Cauldron that it would be nice if they could look at re-doing some of their items so that they are suitable for vegans.

[puffin]

Carrot, Peanut & Onion Nut Burgers
Spicy Bean Burgers

Savoury Burger
Chilli Burger

I have never seen any of these. Would love to try the chilli and spicy bean burgers.

[Mr Flibble]

The chilli burgers have been in holland and barratt (chilled section) for at least 5 years. They aren't very good, a lot like the savory ones except for a minor hint of chilli

[Troutina]

Yeah I tried either the chilli or savoury burgers, I cant remember which, and I wasn't too impressed; the Frys ones are nicer, or the Burger Mix boxes.
But its still great that they do it vegan.
Makes me wonder why they can make the burger without egg but not the sausages?

[puffin]

Oh disappointing. I liked the sound of them.

[Nicola]

Those Carrot Peanut and Onion burgers are very tasty.

ooooh yay! i actually bought some today, so that's good to know.

I've only ever tried the 'Organic Orginal Tofu' by Cauldron, so decided to buy the C, P & O burgers and falafel on a spur of the moment thing today

[Pob]

I like the Realeat ones best but they are SOOO fatty!! They Fry's ones are nice but expensive and they've got something hideous like 3g of salt each in them.

I did say in my reply to the lady from Cauldron that it would be nice if they could look at re-doing some of their items so that they are suitable for vegans.

I hadn't noticed that about the Fry's sausages The Braai flavour (whatever that is supposed to be) only have about half the amount of salt in.

[EFCliz]

I've only ever tried the 'Organic Orginal Tofu' by Cauldron, so decided to buy the C, P & O burgers and falafel on a spur of the moment thing today

The falafels are really handy to have in. You can either use them in pitta breads or what I sometimes do is put them in the oven and while they are heating through I just make a quick sauce with onions, garlic, peppers, mushrooms (whatever you have) and a tin of tomatoes. Then when the falafel are cooked I sort of squash them into the sauce to make a stew, and serve them with couscous or bulgar wheat.

[Nicola]

yes, the falafels were really nice!!

I had a few left over that i was going to have last night...so i decided to put them in the microwave to re-heat a bit. Only i must have put them in too long, because they went completed rock-hard and all black/charred

So I'm going to buy more!

[Cumin]

The chilli burgers have been in holland and barratt (chilled section) for at least 5 years. They aren't very good, a lot like the savory ones except for a minor hint of chilli

Oh disappointing. I liked the sound of them.

Puffin,
I hate to dissagree with the the Flibbster (again), but I happen to think the Chilli burgers and the Savoury ones are amazing. Amazing that is if you want a burger that is very,very,very meaty. So I suggest you try them before writing them off - I suspect it's a matter of personal taste.

I haven't tried the felafels, but I intend to. Yumm !

[Marrers]

yes, the falafels were really nice!!
I had a few left over that i was going to have last night...so i decided to put them in the microwave to re-heat a bit. Only i must have put them in too long, because they went completed rock-hard and all black/charred

They probably only need 20-60 seconds, depending on how many of them there are - they are only small!
I usually put them on for 20-30 seconds and check, then if not hot enough I'll zap for longer (10 seconds at a time simply to make sure they are not too hot to eat). I can't imagine how long you had them in for to burn them!!

[Nicola]

I can't imagine how long you had them in for to burn them!!

heh, about 2-3 mins i think. It is an 800watt microwave though, aswell

[zorbed]

Falafel is one of my favorite foods. Though i just always eat it the traditional way on flat bread with salad and humous!

I like to follow it with a nice, strong cup of surj (Armenian coffee)! *shakes*

[Gorilla]

i like their falafels too but i would prefer it if they made them without wheat (it is possible but the wheat-free ones i've had so far have all been a bit strange). the chilli burgers are a bit too spicy for me and they are all kinda meaty. i like the marinated and the smoked tofu.

[Cumin]

NB. They still aren't showing either the savoury burgers or the Chilli ones on the vegan list on their website, despite having revamped the packaging and the site. I contacted them to try and get a confirmation that they are still vegan and they replied..

I have had to forward your email to our customer services as this site
is closing down on 3rd August. Cauldron is part of Premier Foods now
and is relocating to Norfolk however you will still see our products in
the shops.

The new email address to write to is Customer.Services@Marlowfoods.com

You should hear from them regarding your query.

So I think it may be best to stay clear of them for now

[aubergine]

Hmm. Premier Foods have a mixed ability to lable things Vegan. Hopefully Cauldron will go the way of Hovis.

[Mr Flibble]

I think you'll find Premier Foods have owned Cauldren since Nov 05.....

[Cumin]

I got a reply from Cauldron today.. Good news:

----------
Please be assured that the following products are suitable for vegans and do not contain any egg or other animal derivatives:
Carrot, peanut & onion burger
Chickpea & black olive pate
Falafel - standard & organic
Tofu - all varieties including marinated, organic, and beech smoked varieties.
Organic falafel
Falafel bites
Spicy bean burger
Savoury burger
Chilli burger
Sweet potato & aubergine Balti
Chick pea & black olive pate
Carrot & onion burger
--------

[aubergine]

I don't believe the Chickpea & Black Olive Pate exists. I've looked everywhere I can get to that's listed as a stockist, and no-one has it.

[harpy]

Thank you for the list, Cumin.

I used to be able to get the chickpea/olive pate in our local H&B but now you mention it I haven't seen it for a while.

[Marrers]

Carrot, peanut & onion burger
Chickpea & black olive pate
. . .
Chick pea & black olive pate
Carrot & onion burger

Sweet potato & aubergine Balti
--------

I notice they've repeated a few items . . . to make the list look longer?

I've never ever seen the balti - has anyone?

In my experience unfortunately it seems to be the non vegan burgers and pates that places tend to stock.

[BlackCats]

I have been annoyed in good old Holland and Barrett picking up Cauldron items and putting them down again as all have contained cheese or something. It's really annoying!

I have tried that black olive pate though - it's nice.

(I have never seen the balti one.)

[Spud Addict]

I don't believe the Chickpea & Black Olive Pate exists. I've looked everywhere I can get to that's listed as a stockist, and no-one has it.

I'm sure I have seen it around recently, I can post you some if you like lol.

I notice they've repeated a few items . . . to make the list look longer?

And let's not forget the wonderful Peanut, carrot and onion burger and the black olive and chick pea pate

[Cumin]

I don't believe the Chickpea & Black Olive Pate exists. I've looked everywhere I can get to that's listed as a stockist, and no-one has it.

I saw it in a H&B yesterday (High Wycombe) along with a lot of their other items so it must still be around.

[aubergine]

*considers trekking to High Wycombe with a hot Ciabatta*

[Cumin]

It would be easier to make your own, I think.

[aubergine]

Very true. It'll be on the list of things to do the day I move out

[Robert]

I hadn't noticed that about the Fry's sausages The Braai flavour (whatever that is supposed to be) only have about half the amount of salt in.

Braai is the Afrikaans/South African word for barbecue, so I assume it means they are barbecue flavoured.

[shez]

Yeah I tried either the chilli or savoury burgers, I cant remember which, and I wasn't too impressed; the Frys ones are nicer, or the Burger Mix boxes.
But its still great that they do it vegan.
Makes me wonder why they can make the burger without egg but not the sausages?

Frys burgers are lovely. but as someone added quite expensive. It is a shame cauldron dont do more vegan stuff. i think they do some ready cooked, chopped and seasoned tofu to, ready to eat (at least i think it was cauldron). i think i had this years ago with loads of chilli sauce. yum

[Poison Ivy]

I've never ever seen the balti - has anyone?

Yes!! My local Morrisons had it in last week (and god knows if up here's got it, it's GOT to be available in other parts of the country too)

[Spud Addict]

I noticed the chickpea and black olive back in my local H&B yesterday, has it finally resurfaced? Anyone else noticed it?

[harpy]

Yes, I bought some of the chickpea and olive pate from our H&B branch last week. I really like it so I hope it will be a regular again.

[beanstew]

I like Fry's "original hotdogs". Two in a baguette with loads of onion, mustard and tomato sauce is mighty fine eating.

I use the Cauldron tofu in stir-frys and other Chinese style dishes and occasionally make tofu and mushroom pie but am hopeless at pastry (even from a bought mix) so they come out more like a pile of stuff with rock hard pasty-like substance on top!

[Spud Addict]

Have you tried the herb pate? I tried it today and thought it was really nice.

[Gorilla]

I got a reply from Cauldron today.. Good news:

----------
Please be assured that the following products are suitable for vegans and do not contain any egg or other animal derivatives:
...
Falafel bites
...

i was going to buy some of these today, believing they were vegan, but had a quick check of the ingredients anyway. they are NOT vegan, they contain honey.

i had a look on their website to see what it said, and it doesn't list them as suitable for vegans, but the only products they have on that page are tofu and the 8 falafel pack, no mention of any pates or burgers.

perhaps they have changed the recipe of the falafel bites since they gave out that list.

[bryzee86]

:O honey!? there surely is no reason for that....

just to let you know,the tofu is on half price in Tesco atm.70p for 250g. It may not taste the best, but you can't argue at that price.

[Gorilla]

i've just re-checked the website, and it doesn't mention the honey in the ingredients list for the falafel bites. but it was definitely there on the pack i looked at today. i'm going to email them because apart from the honey being unnecessary, their website is misleading (even if the falafel bites aren't on their vegan page).

[Risker]

Just tried Cauldrons new kievs. Very nice

[leedsveg]

^^
Not bad but both times I've had them, the "chutney lava" inside, had oozed out so I must remember to cook them at a slightly lower temperature.

Leedsveg

[Firestorm]

^^ That would hopefully work - I had my second one tonight (first one a few weeks ago), my oven is cooler than normal ovens and it cooked them both times perfectly at gas 6 which is probably gas 5 or 4 on a normal oven. I agree very nice!

[Risker]

We didn't know what they would go with so we ended up having mushy peas, cabbage, broccoli and lemon juice. The lemon was really good but then I thought it was really good on the whole meal so maybe not specifically good on the kievs.

[finnjax]

Just tried Cauldrons new kievs. Very nice

They are Vegan? I'm a bit suspicious when they don't label it. No info on the website. Flavourings?