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A new UK start-up, Messyface, is launching its range of better-for-you spreads this month, aiming to bring a modern uplift to the nation’s jams and preserves aisles.

The brand offers a fresh take on Tahin Pekmez, a traditional Turkish sweet spread made from slow-cooked grape molasses and nutty, sesame-based tahini. This sweet spread can provide an alternative to both jam and peanut butter, ideal for enjoying on bread among other breakfast and baking applications.

According to the brand, the product offers an indulgent caramel-like texture, with tasters saying they ‘can’t believe’ it’s made from just grapes and sesame seeds.

In addition to being vegan and gluten-free, the spreads tap into two of the most prominent current food trends: fibre-rich products, and naturally sweetened options that are free from refined sugars amid the shift away from ultra-processed foods.

The product launches in three varieties: original, made with just grape molasses and tahini; hazelnut, made with the addition of roasted hazelnuts; and hazelnut cacao, adding 100% cacao powder to the hazelnut variety.

Alex Epstein, founder of Messyface, first discovered Tahin Pekmez in a small Turkish deli in the Netherlands. Since, he has been determined to bring the seed and fruit fusion to a broader audience through the development of his brand.

“I loved the simple transparency of the recipe, the fact this was a fibre-rich product with authentic World cuisine heritage that offered natural fruit sweetness without resorting to any refined sugars, palm oil or synthetic stabilisers, sweeteners and thickeners,” he commented.

“Ottolenghi has made significant strides in recent times championing tahini appreciation with the UK. My vision was to spread the ‘tahini joy’ by championing it within a more mainstream medium that could be utilised on bread, in porridge, within smoothies or across any number of home baked offerings”.