Skippi aimed to create India’s first natural ice pops using only hygienic ingredients to evoke nostalgia. Food Buddies played a key role in helping them achieve this vision.
Summary
Skippi wanted to revive the trend of ice pops in India by creating a fun, safe-to-consume, nostalgic product. They identified a gap in the market, where clean, natural ice pops were lacking. Although they had a promising idea, they were unsure how to create and launch the product in the market.
On 6th June 2019, they approached Food Buddies via WhatsApp. Our team quickly recognized the immense potential of this concept in the Indian market. The team assisted them with Food product development and factory setup to successfully navigate from concept to market launch.
Skippi initially requested six standard flavors. Then, after their success and growing popularity, they sought to make the product even more appealing. Hence, Food Buddies developed another six authentic Indian flavors.
Food Buddies, with its expertise as a Food & Beverage Consultant, delivered high-quality, natural, and hygienic ice pops, ensuring they were safe and guilt-free for kids to enjoy.
This case study explores the strategic partnership between Skippi and Food Buddies. Highlighting the steps taken to achieve a market breakthrough with a product that aligns with consumer desires for both delicious nostalgia and quality.
Learn how timely food product development with a complete factory setup helped them create 6 internationally recognized flavors and 6 Traditional Indian flavors, which became a huge hit in the Indian market.
About
In 2020, Ravi and Anuja Kabra founded Skippi Ice Pops, introducing natural and hygienic popsicles to the Indian market. Although they faced setbacks due to the pandemic, they quickly gained momentum after appearing on “Shark Tank India” in 2021.” Today, Skippi Ice Pops thrives as a leading brand in India, growing in 25+ states, available in over 10,000 outlets nationwide, including 400–500 in Hyderabad alone.
Challenges and Objectives
Skippi’s primary objective was to create India’s first natural ice popsicle brand that brings nostalgic Indian tastes. This vision posed several challenges throughout the project, all of which were effectively handled by Food Buddies.
No Artificial flavors
- The significant challenge was Skippi’s insistence on not using artificial flavors.
- During the food product development, the experts used natural ingredients and RO water throughout the production.
- Strict hygiene protocols were implemented at every stage of production to ensure the final product was both safe and of superior quality.
- Achieving a stable shelf life with natural ingredients and no artificial preservatives was challenging.
- The process required advanced food formulation techniques, ingredient-based innovation, and controlled processing.
- Food Buddies successfully helped them achieve their goal of producing a natural, high-quality popsicle that met both taste and longevity standards.
Crystallization
- The second challenge was their objective of creating a popsicle that was not completely solid but had a crystal-like texture that easily dissolved in the mouth.
- The team explored advanced freezing and mixing techniques to ensure that the popsicles achieved the right level of crystallization.
- The process required precise food formulation and innovative techniques to achieve the desired mouthfeel and consistency, setting Skippi apart from traditional popsicles.
Cost-efficient Budget
- One major challenge was adhering to a cost-efficient budget while developing a high-quality product.
- The process required careful selection of ingredients and machinery to meet their standards without exceeding costs.
- The product idea was inspired by an Australian model, sourcing suitable technical machinery for food factory setup in India was initially challenging.
- The team overcame this by conducting extensive research to find appropriate and cost-effective machinery that met Skippi’s needs.
Food Buddies successfully met their objectives by developing a range of natural ice pops and creating an excitement that resonated with Indian consumers. This collaboration not only brought their vision to life but also positioned the brand for market success.
Strategic Solutions through each service:
To overcome challenges and ensure the delivery of premium-quality products, Food Buddies provided the following specialized services.
Food Product Development
The Food Technologists facilitated the development of a robust and innovative product prototype for Skippi. The expert team began with in-depth scientific research to understand the ideal ingredients and formulations required to achieve their vision.
This process included careful ingredient selection to ensure high quality.
With the ingredients secured, the team moved on to food formulation, carefully balancing flavors and textures to create a unique popsicle experience. To ensure the product’s durability and market viability, a Shelf-life study was conducted. Then, followed by diligent lab testing to verify that the popsicles met all safety and quality benchmarks.
From October 2019 to March 2020, the team developed the following assorted flavors: Raspberry, Orange, Lemon, Cola, Mango Twist, and Bubblegum. These flavors became popular in the Indian Market.
Building on this success, Skippi decided to introduce fun, Indian-inspired flavors. From November 2022 to May 2023, the team created Kala Khatta, Rose, Chilli Guava, Katta Meeta Imli, Aam Panna, and Jal Jeera. These flavors are marketed as Desi flavors.
Now, the brand has a diverse product range that combines both globally recognized tastes and authentic Indian tastes, covering a broad audience.
