Flavorista

Fancy Food Show, San Francisco

January 21st, 2009

It’s been several years since I’ve been to the Fancy Food Show. I have memories of past shows abounding with gourmet mustard, salsa, flavored popcorn and lots of redundancy amongst international delicacies like cheeses and specialty meats. This year was different.  The show seemed to have fewer exhibitors. I was able to walk most of the show easily in 1 day. Top trends observed: Premium tea, nuts, chocolates with interesting spices (thyme, chilies and even dark milk chocolate). Here are some of my top picks:

Yakami Orchard

This was by far one of the most interesting products for me.Sudachi is to lime what yuzu is to lemon. The fragrance on this citrus of Japanese origin was really amazing. I also got to taste real ponzu with no soy sauce added. It will be a few months before these items are available to the home flavorista, but professional chefs will delight in the offerings from Yakami Orchard.

Dufflet - Chocolate Crackles were a marvel. Created by Toronto’s "Queen of Cake", Dufflet Rosenberg, I was thrilled by this beautiful interpretation of bark. Crisp, crackly and perfectly sweetened.  These are now my favorite indulgent treat.

The last four items of note on my list are beverages: Two herbal/aroma waters, a non-alcoholic sparkler and a hibiscus beverage.

Ayala - I have walked by this water a few times in the store as I am just "over" the water category. But Ayala is the antithesis of vitamin water as it is nothing but a pleasantly flavored water with no sugars – just beautiful extracts.  I am glad I stopped to try it.  I was surprised by how well formulated it was. The flavors were intriguing if not too esoteric, Lemongrass Vanilla, Jasmine Vanilla, Cloves and Cardamom. I don’t how much I would buy it but it was really creative and well crafted.

Ganic Water – Another spring water enhanced with aromas and herbal extract – Ganic is from Germany and very gourmet. With an impressive line of 15 flavors (!) Ganic was one of my favorites – specifically the American Jasmine.

Bionade - A new sparkling beverage with rally unique flavors like Lychee, Herbs, Ginger Orange and Elderberry. Very refreshing without being too complex or too sweet.

Ooba - Normally I would pass on even trying anything with hisbiscus but I was thirsty and somewhat curious. Hibiscus is really high in tannins and antioxidants, but I don’t like the way it tastes.  The folks at Ooba have found of way of making an hibiscus extract – using the whole flower, that actually tastes good. While they make some pretty hefty health claims, the flavor is the real reason to try this very unique drink.

 

Entry Filed under: Grocery Finds,Holiday Ideas,Libations,Websites/Blogosphere