THE STATISTICS DON’T LIE – KIWIS LIKE IT SMOOTH

THE STATISTICS DON’T LIE – KIWIS LIKE IT SMOOTH

Whether we admit it or not, we all know that fruits, vegetables and healthy eating are good for us. But thanks to kitchen gurus and Kiwi kitchen ingenuity, there’s no need to grudgingly force down platefuls of greens to feel like we’re getting our fix of 5+ a day. The blender is fast becoming a favourite among household appliances because of its ability to support a fresher yet still flavourful lifestyle.

Oster, the number one blender brand in the United States , has launched a range of blenders to the New Zealand market just as the latest statistics are showing blending to be rising sharply in popularity. A recent survey of more than 2,000 Kiwis found that 85% of New Zealanders regularly use a blender, and of that number 79% use their blenders for smoothies because of the health benefits.

A major finding is that smoothies are fast becoming the home-made healthy beverage of choice; where 85% of respondents own and regularly use a blender, only 26% actively use a juicer. Of that 26%, a minority (8%) use the excess pulp (which contains fibre and other nutrients) for another recipe (such as carrot pulp for a cake or soup) rather than disposing of it.

It is also evident that Kiwis are time-poor and constantly on the go and connected to work: 60% of respondents said they couldn’t do without their smartphones for less than a day. Not surprisingly, then, 97% of respondents said they would be more inclined to drink a healthy beverage if clean-up was simple and minimal; something that works in a blender’s favour.

Clean-eating and healthy lifestyle advocate Makaia Carr of Motivate Me NZ is Oster’s brand ambassador for New Zealand. She says she is thrilled that the successful international brand has been introduced to the local market, and expects it to become a key industry player.

“My family and I start every day with smoothies made with fresh fruit for maximum nutritional value. Like 60% of the survey respondents, I’m a parent, and like to sneak greens into smoothies for my kids – foods such as spinach, kale and avocado, which they otherwise would not eat. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as nailing a delicious combination of fresh fruits and vegetables, and I love to share recipes and ideas with others.

“I am strong advocate for clean eating and live by the 80:20 rule. It’s important for me to know what I’m eating, and using a blender to make soups, smoothies and nut butters from scratch allows me to do that. I’m a mum of two and live a busy lifestyle so I don’t always have a lot of spare time, but cooking and blending with Oster products is easy – they do all the hard work for me. I was particularly blown away by the Oster Versa’s ability to heat soup as it blends!”

The Oster brand is offering Kiwis a range of market-leading blenders. From the sturdy Versa to the practical Beehive and the convenient, portable FitBlend, there is a solution compatible with all lifestyles and the 5+-a-day goal.

Cliff Carr, Oster New Zealand spokesperson, says the uptake of the new range is very positive and that the brand has been well-received amongst Kiwis.

“Kiwis have their hand on the pulse with blending; we are a nation of go-getters and I truly believe in the notion of Kiwi ingenuity and creativity. The great thing about blenders is that it gives users, especially those who are time-poor, the chance to make their own fun creations and derive the taste and health benefits. Our survey found that 65% of respondents are innovative and prefer creating their own recipes when making smoothies, which fits in with who we are as a people.

“We’ve seen the juicing category go into double-digit decline while personal blending has nearly doubled. Quality blenders are in demand, and I’m looking forward to seeing more and more New Zealanders create not just smoothies but soups, baby foods, iced teas, iced coffees, nut butters and even cocktails. I encourage all Kiwis to re-think what the blender can do – it’s no longer simply a kitchen appliance but the kitchen appliance.”

Oster blenders are available at Harvey Norman, Farmers, JB HiFi Wairau Park, Smiths City and other leading appliance stores nationwide. For more information and recipes, visit www.osterappliances.co.nz.

The brand believes in showing consumers that it’s important and easy to make food fresh and from scratch.

ENDS

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