The bun spice formula from Unifine Food & Bake Ingredients (Milton Keynes, Bucks) is three times as strong as the average liquid spice, claims the firm. Quality Bun Spice enhances the flavour of fruit in specialities such as hot cross buns, Bath buns, teacakes, fruit loaves and tea breads. It also banishes that bitter aftertaste often associated with spice concentrates, says Unifine.

"The price per kilo for the Quality product is unashamedly higher than that of its standard Bun Spice," says Unifine. "But it works out very competitively in the long run as the higher concentration makes a little go a long way."

Unifine also supplies seasonal Sucrea Deco 2D Shapes to decorate muffins, biscuits and desserts.