Monique Branston is the Founder of Up ‘N’ Mellow luxury nut and fruit porridges. Here, she explains how she was inspired by her favourite porridge as a child growing up in Jamaica
Who are you and what do you do?
We are Up ‘N’ Mellow, a premium brand that makes luxury ready-to-eat nut and fruit porridges. Nut Porridge is made predominantly from nuts that are finely milled and blended with other raw ingredients to create an aromatic mixture of flavours. Nut porridge gives you an incredible taste that you won’t get from oats-based porridges, and this comes from the premium quality and richness of ingredients in the products. Our nut porridges are made to have on the go at any time and are a variety of 10 delicious flavours. These are instant peanut, cashew nut, almond, pecan nut and walnut porridges; all of these are our original nut flavours but each also have a mango variety. They are healthy, organic and nutritious – the perfect start to your day and brilliant for any occasion. They are great for breakfast, post-school run, mid-morning and afternoon snack, break-time, to take on a hike or for post-run/gym workout, before bed or as nighttime treats. Great substitute for toast, snack bars and oats-based porridges too. All handmade as well.
When did you first have the idea for Up ‘N’ Mellow and what’s the thinking behind it? What were you doing before?
The idea came about when I became nostalgic for peanut porridge, which was my favourite porridge as a child growing up in Jamaica. The Jamaican peanut porridge is a luxury dish made on the cooker and takes about 30 minutes to prepare. We have made an on-the-go version of this. After shopping around and not being able to find it here, I decided to create my own instant nut-based recipes that everyone can enjoy on the go. Being lactose intolerant, I also wanted to create a range of instant nut porridges that are dairy free and vegan, as well as steeped in my Jamaican heritage.
I launched Up ‘N’ Mellow in May 2023 as a start-up business. Before coming to the market, I started developing my brand and products through my own research as well as through the help of organisations in Norfolk which help small businesses, like the BIPC and the Food Innovation Cluster/Hethel Innovation Centre. Aside from my business, I have worked in Health and Social Care for 17 years.
You grew up in Jamaica – is Up ‘N’ Mellow very much a taste of home?
Yes, per above. In addition to our Jamaican-inspired nut porridge range, we bring a broader taste of home to the local farmers’ markets we attend (listed on our website) to include our homestyle Jamaican patties that are very much sought after.
Where are you based? What brought you to Norfolk and what do you love about the county?
We are based in West Norfolk. We have been living in Norfolk for 3 years now after moving up from London. We love everything about the county. My husband Luke is originally from neighbouring Suffolk, and we have always enjoyed our visits to Norfolk before coming here, so it was an easy decision for us to move here.
When did you launch and what has the feedback been like so far?
The business was launched in May 2023. Consumers are delighted with the delicious taste of nuts blended with the warming and fragrant selection of spices including nutmeg and cassia. Customers love that the products have nutrients of protein and/or fibre and that we support green values which include ethically sourced ingredients as well as sustainable and biodegradable packaging. Best sellers of nut products range include our Cashew Nut Porridge, Cashew Nut & Mango Porridge, Pecan Nut Porridge, Pecan Nut & Mango Porridge and Almond Nut & Mango Porridge.
What makes your porridge special? Can you describe the range?
Our porridge is nuts-based so the main ingredient is nuts. You won’t find nut porridge anywhere else on the market. The main ingredient for other brands is oats.
Our porridge range is vegan/dairy free so is a good option for those who enjoy plant-based products and/or lactose intolerant.
Our porridges are all handcrafted with premium ingredients including nuts and spices. This gives our range of porridges that special high-quality luxury taste that consumers are after. Our porridge are ready-to-eat products that you can have any time and on-the-go.
How important is to you that your porridge is 100% vegan and organic?
This is incredibly important. We feel that health is wealth and are very much a health-conscious brand. We support green values – we care about the environment and value the protection of our planet.
Where can people find your products?
We are regulars at local farmers markets in Norfolk. The current ones we are attending are North Wootton Farmers Market, Creake Abbey Farmers Market, Black Barn Farmers Market and Marshland St James Farmers Market. We will also start attending Bury St Edmunds Makers Market starting October. Details of the markets we attend can be found on the Events Page of our website upnmellow.com
We have built up an online presence organically through our fun and engaging website and on Instagram and Facebook. Our website has an online store where our customers buy our products.
We have attended trade shows, tasting events, festivals and done Pop-Ups across Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and London where we give samples, promotions and sale offers.
We are currently stocked with local shops in Norfolk and Suffolk where you can buy our products. These are Yare Valley Farm Shop, Natural FoodStore Coop, Metfield Stores, Burnham Market Stores, Budgens of Holt, and The Vault.
What are your hopes and dreams for Up ‘N’ Mellow?
We hope to be the premium vegan porridge brand of choice and to be stocked with more retailers.
For the full range of Up ‘N’ Mellow nut and fruit porridge, visit upnmellow.com and follow @upnmellow on Instagram and Facebook
Featured image – supplied
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