Recognised as the world’s largest vertical farm and a subsidiary of Emirates Flight Catering, Emirates Bustanica provides its premium edible flowers for these series, namely Blooming Collection and Vitality Collection.
“We had been keen on introducing edible flowers into our ice pops since 2022. However, we were unable to find a supplier that was able to provide quality flowers. This is where Emirates Bustanica comes in. They grow edible flowers in cutting-edge vertical farms in the UAE with the highest hygiene standards, which is particularly important.
“Our collab kick-off meeting was held on November 11, 2024, and the team managed to pull this off in just 17 working days. From planning and development to manufacturing and branding, this was all done in record time,” Mazen Kanaan, CEO and co-founder of House of Pops, told FoodNavigator-Asia.
In the first phase of launch, the two new ranges are available at House of Pops outlets and official online store, with plans for broader distribution across more touchpoints in the near future.
According to Kanaan, the collaboration not only introduces innovative products to consumers and tourists, but also signals bigger B2B opportunities with chefs, hoteliers, and other brands.
“We think that serving these ice pops at top 4- and 5-star hotels would give guests a truly memorable moment. For example, a tourist visiting UAE would be happy to be served a healthy, delicious, and visually stunning treat at a poolside overlooking wonderful views.
“Furthermore, the F&B scene in the country is highly competitive, and demands constant innovation and bringing new experiences to guests. Our new collections would be great additions to their menus.”
On the same note, Shahreyar Nawabi, CEO of Emirates Flight Catering, said that leveraging the organisation’s capabilities to collaborate and co-create with homegrown businesses is an “exciting part” of their agenda.
“The use of our edible flowers within the ice lollies is a brilliant blend of creativity and innovation — art, taste and aesthetics all delivered using the freshest, locally grown inputs.”
Combining sustainability and innovation
The Blooming Collection comprises three flavours, Orange Passion Bloom, Rosey Lemonade, and Citrus Sunshine, which combine “fruit-forward tastes with visually appealing edible flowers” to embody the essence of indulgence and wellness.
On the other hand, the Vitality Collection consists of two veggie-fruit “detox pops” designed to enhance overall well-being — Lemon Apple Boost is made from a blend of lemon, apple, spinach, kale and ginger, and Beet It features a mix of beetroot and fruits.
Particularly, this range rides on the relentlessly growing health and wellness trend in the UAE.
“We expect these pops to complement fitness regimens as a quick pick-me-up after a workout at the gym, instead of a smoothie,” said Kanaan.
He added that House of Pops continues to be focused on natural, plant-based ingredients. Therefore, while the new products prioritise flavour, they also champion environmental stewardship.
“By working with a company like Emirates Bustanica that grows and provides the freshest premium ingredients, it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to stay committed to our values of sustainability, wellness, and purity.
“Integrating both brand identities, this partnership showcases the potential of combining sustainable agriculture with culinary creativity, setting a new benchmark for innovation in the frozen treats industry.”
Beyond the UAE, the brand has set its sights on market expansion in the Middle East.
“We have strong plans for the region. We always believe that localising the House of Pops experience is extremely important, so with the expansion plans, we plan on doing local partnerships in the countries we expand to.”
