tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69864790951233557282024-03-17T22:01:56.972-05:00Virginia's Food & Beverages BlogLearn about new and interesting foods and beverages that I see in stores, restaurants, and trade shows.Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05786885131575060423noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-26380516926555364042021-06-10T11:04:00.004-05:002021-06-10T15:23:02.642-05:00Sweets & Snacks Expo to Take Place in June, National Candy Month<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJwQZRkHAlyWrR3NWCStxhsmKfTslGJqPmddYW-BG8SyKxMtfjV-2k0FrkuyPN1AmvcV8eKa44MLRIof6WPqyiM18ceApvkc6t7mtkSSSPhMiDplOdk1NeDdEXe74KCU-sx7U2Gr-xp-r/s2016/Bazooka+Brands+me+at+booth+SSE19.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJwQZRkHAlyWrR3NWCStxhsmKfTslGJqPmddYW-BG8SyKxMtfjV-2k0FrkuyPN1AmvcV8eKa44MLRIof6WPqyiM18ceApvkc6t7mtkSSSPhMiDplOdk1NeDdEXe74KCU-sx7U2Gr-xp-r/s320/Bazooka+Brands+me+at+booth+SSE19.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: 2019 Sweets & Snacks Expo by Virginia Lee</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Did you know that <a href="https://candyusa.com/national-candy-month/">June is National Candy Month</a>? This year, the <a href="https://sweetsandsnacks.com/">Sweets & Snacks Expo</a> (aka, The Candy Show) will
be held in June in Indianapolis, Indiana instead of its traditional May date in
Chicago. Show owner <a href="https://candyusa.com/news/unwrap-the-fun-in-june-with-national-candy-month/">National Confectioners Association unveiled its most popular summer candy flavors (strawberry, watermelon, and cherry) and candy types (chocolate, gummies, and hard candy)</a>. Candy is frequently consumed during
summer activities. 94% of Americans will bring chocolate or candy with them
when they go camping according to the National Confectioners Association.
Campfire smores please! For those taking road trips, 93% of Americans will take
candy with them. Looking for inspiration on what candy to enjoy this summer?
Here’s my take on the most popular summer candy types and flavors based on the
products I saw at the 2019 Sweets & Snacks Expo that is open to the trade only.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Strawberry<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3hNWD2UoiHQ725exxRRf-SG5N6c8y07YfiVl-JyvdJQqZH9AW1e_imR_6wuCsVHS2CE3jQugtvCPvhzQHmjvU7u-lnSj05v9145iCFTNjrLedP-hKYVOZJMfkwXkig2sGpiZ-I1B_760/s2016/Pocky+crunchy+strawberry+SSE19+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3hNWD2UoiHQ725exxRRf-SG5N6c8y07YfiVl-JyvdJQqZH9AW1e_imR_6wuCsVHS2CE3jQugtvCPvhzQHmjvU7u-lnSj05v9145iCFTNjrLedP-hKYVOZJMfkwXkig2sGpiZ-I1B_760/s320/Pocky+crunchy+strawberry+SSE19+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.glico.com/us/product/pocky/27977/">Pocky</a> Crunchy
Strawberry from Ezaki Glico USA Corporation combines a chocolate biscuit stick
and strawberry cream with real strawberry bites. Pocky is a popular treat in
Japan where it originated and comes in multiple flavor varieties including
chocolate, cookies & cream, strawberry, and chocolate banana. <a href="https://303magazine.com/2021/06/mochi-doughnut-denevr-dochi/">There is even a strawberry Pocky flavored donut being offered by a newly opened mochi doughnut shop - Dochi - in Denver</a>. The founders of Dochi were inspired by the classic
mochi doughnuts found in Japanese street markets to create a cross between
mochi (a Japanese rice dessert) and a traditional American fried doughnut.</span></div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBswdBPo0n0sD8M3OHTeqHSWIVVG_eFxhFuswUpnfRk6vtki0rK7hM_cUIRiYeCiy0zHMwCqd3QupdR1SJgXE1iupVl0qvjeE53Ypv9SxSCtNEQqQcDVZId28Cnx7kmIo1VUXGSJD63Nm/s685/SweeTARTS+Strawberry+rope+use+crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="685" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBswdBPo0n0sD8M3OHTeqHSWIVVG_eFxhFuswUpnfRk6vtki0rK7hM_cUIRiYeCiy0zHMwCqd3QupdR1SJgXE1iupVl0qvjeE53Ypv9SxSCtNEQqQcDVZId28Cnx7kmIo1VUXGSJD63Nm/s320/SweeTARTS+Strawberry+rope+use+crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.sweetartscandy.com/products/tangy-strawberry-soft-and-chewy-ropes.html">SweeTARTS Tangy
Strawberry Soft & Chewy Ropes</a> from Ferrara Candy Company offers bendable
fun by combining fruity licorice and SweeTARTS into one soft and chewy candy
with a tangy strawberry flavored filling. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Watermelon<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Watermelon is an iconic summertime
fruit as it’s associated with hot dogs, picnics, and family fun. Candy makers
use watermelon flavors to tap into childhood nostalgia. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeLC3o3PXvNcnGgLjnIp__3TGkq6uF8kfP7c2EVSkKuMMKFPB34nmN2eqIzdDJyCMons29Qx-VOOHhrDH_4uDaXxMM4giMvXGPF1g_rMPqmnOCJVn22zo5bhRnzdm7EVs3zhNls2KSuix/s2016/Haribo+watermelon+Chef+Chanse+SSE19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeLC3o3PXvNcnGgLjnIp__3TGkq6uF8kfP7c2EVSkKuMMKFPB34nmN2eqIzdDJyCMons29Qx-VOOHhrDH_4uDaXxMM4giMvXGPF1g_rMPqmnOCJVn22zo5bhRnzdm7EVs3zhNls2KSuix/s320/Haribo+watermelon+Chef+Chanse+SSE19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />HARIBO featured a gorgeous display with
watermelons carved by Chef Chanse at the 2019 Sweets & Snacks Expo to
promote its new <a href="https://www.haribo.com/en-us/products/watermelon">HARIBO Watermelon Gummi Candy</a>. Its three layers of color and flavor
are aimed to “send your taste buds on a journey back to summer days spent in
the sun”.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTCjVLB2ygROL1dHmd7KXS1SulnJyIttKjge-Q7dIa-caUiCVeKI4UQR1oDzSEFglqQCkkxgXyeH6yDbXCJgNkXicfQ2j34KIXQ6wWyL45bs60vji5hKotsM8Dvw8FxC9b0PMdxwbTpQp/s2016/Jolly+Rancher+Misfits+2in1+Gummies+SSE19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTCjVLB2ygROL1dHmd7KXS1SulnJyIttKjge-Q7dIa-caUiCVeKI4UQR1oDzSEFglqQCkkxgXyeH6yDbXCJgNkXicfQ2j34KIXQ6wWyL45bs60vji5hKotsM8Dvw8FxC9b0PMdxwbTpQp/s320/Jolly+Rancher+Misfits+2in1+Gummies+SSE19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Jolly Rancher Misfits 2in1 Gummies
from <a href="https://www.hersheyland.com/home">The Hershey Company</a> includes three varieties of dual-flavored gummy candy:
blue raspberry + watermelon, strawberry + lemon, and green apple + cherry.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Cherry<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’m happy to see that cherries are a
popular summer time candy flavor as cherries are my favorite fruit. I’ve been
known to eat a whole pound of cherries in one sitting since they are only
available during the summer months. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrJAKgQxTKsR5UidKYVWfV7U1V06Le0k_2QNmNh295zNyNAfCxMhBI5xjAHBXPl2hqwG3I7QV6PM3jR_wRdbsjUNSRUFeDWSEnJrt_pIbY_6VrW2Wvrej7E1WQEfbkKf5evX5Z1gcQ1hh/s1592/Jelly+Belly+Cherry+Gum+SSE19+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="1511" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrJAKgQxTKsR5UidKYVWfV7U1V06Le0k_2QNmNh295zNyNAfCxMhBI5xjAHBXPl2hqwG3I7QV6PM3jR_wRdbsjUNSRUFeDWSEnJrt_pIbY_6VrW2Wvrej7E1WQEfbkKf5evX5Z1gcQ1hh/s320/Jelly+Belly+Cherry+Gum+SSE19+%25282%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://fordgum.com/jelly-belly-sugar-free-chewing-gum">Jelly Belly Very Cherry Sugar Free Gum from Ford Gum, Inc.</a> offers the “Jelly Belly flavors you love!” in a gum format. I
was excited to try all four varieties – Very Cherry, Berry Blue, Island Punch,
and Watermelon – at the 2019 Sweets & Snacks Expo.</span></div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHHdr_YdjlRWJhx7HRxcomd2C2Mt2IbQaRjI6k43J5w_gSOK-YQTsAB8GNZkEMNV0GCUpRMlvWUUqqwy2f6Uc-dPo-nlbbohXNvLcElvGnyiQH7vk42YtgeYeS360KYTI58BbKLwMOAJw/s600/TruFru_HC_DrkCherry_8oz_Front-600x600.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHHdr_YdjlRWJhx7HRxcomd2C2Mt2IbQaRjI6k43J5w_gSOK-YQTsAB8GNZkEMNV0GCUpRMlvWUUqqwy2f6Uc-dPo-nlbbohXNvLcElvGnyiQH7vk42YtgeYeS360KYTI58BbKLwMOAJw/s320/TruFru_HC_DrkCherry_8oz_Front-600x600.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Tru Fru, LLC</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Tru Fru Nature’s Cherries
from <a href="https://trufru.com/">Tru Fru, LLC</a> are hyper-chilled cherries sold in the freezer case that have
been picked ripe and frozen fresh in white & dark chocolate. In addition to
other frozen fruits (bananas, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries) that
have been immersed in chocolate, the company also offers shelf-stable fruits
(bananas, mangos, raspberries, strawberries) that have been frozen fresh and
then freeze-dried before being immersed in dark chocolate. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chocolate<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3bsxyTsLY1kZ0DaNzq6Dw4ShUKjEj8lbEWghdrmI58Cojorke2swlPXCGRIE5JT-BThKiv71-9hCM9jZxIapBe9dWtH6sukD_rmDqUioVRs2G14H5G11OX82D08rn5WUZ2GCy1MG1MU8/s2016/M%2526Ms+Bars+variety+SSE19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3bsxyTsLY1kZ0DaNzq6Dw4ShUKjEj8lbEWghdrmI58Cojorke2swlPXCGRIE5JT-BThKiv71-9hCM9jZxIapBe9dWtH6sukD_rmDqUioVRs2G14H5G11OX82D08rn5WUZ2GCy1MG1MU8/s320/M%2526Ms+Bars+variety+SSE19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTx15tDrLP8LdA_xsmoU31lmndC1Iq2bdsOEc4OvUGbgPn938kiLR1A3VJfjXxww0EXzz874_EWx5r5ki8-0oa0K8vMglUnY8FkP1XvPZhdr8dBaGsEueCRw15Y20rGpQQJk-K2QnHp6a/s1571/Creamy+Snickers+Peanut+Butter+SSE19+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTx15tDrLP8LdA_xsmoU31lmndC1Iq2bdsOEc4OvUGbgPn938kiLR1A3VJfjXxww0EXzz874_EWx5r5ki8-0oa0K8vMglUnY8FkP1XvPZhdr8dBaGsEueCRw15Y20rGpQQJk-K2QnHp6a/s320/Creamy+Snickers+Peanut+Butter+SSE19+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />At the <a href="https://www.mars.com/">Mars Wrigley</a> booth, I got to
see their new M&Ms’ Bars and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/snickers/?gclid=ce69e5cc3ad21e8f4cde850e06664eb3&gclsrc=3p.ds&">Snickers</a> Creamy Bars. The M&Ms Bars embed
M&Ms Minis into a milk chocolate tablet bar for a multi-sensory taste
experience. The five varieties are Peanut, Milk Chocolate, Crispy, Almond, and
Crispy Mint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Creamy Snickers line
adds a creamy nut butter filling (Almond Butter, Peanut Butter) to the caramel
and milk chocolate coating to the Snickers bar.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LPz6FglUZMb31AzSexSKWjZJwF81O5_QHcw_4-bUjf_VQyJ1ukzMfoTfeHEpaKfLz4kQAITQXXhpGAYAu32vyrXX0NRvxz58bsPgiu06eB8zMdLpDOCgDc4jhQXt3eY7aGVpsht20wvi/s2016/Hershey+Emoji+Bar.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LPz6FglUZMb31AzSexSKWjZJwF81O5_QHcw_4-bUjf_VQyJ1ukzMfoTfeHEpaKfLz4kQAITQXXhpGAYAu32vyrXX0NRvxz58bsPgiu06eB8zMdLpDOCgDc4jhQXt3eY7aGVpsht20wvi/s320/Hershey+Emoji+Bar.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Rfuro1lib3B2yj5Czxst-z1KaQgjXhYgjnMpx0c4iO3LhRl1RdSqaYmM3bdAG952JaOcbvwtEUllDFbl6NqsHWPsyeA3Mf2Y2HgCSlzA0gLQlPvY6KNU9wjeONLS6xToa6_7VLHjvjAs/s2016/KITKAT+Duos+Mint+and+Dark+Chocolate+SSE19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Rfuro1lib3B2yj5Czxst-z1KaQgjXhYgjnMpx0c4iO3LhRl1RdSqaYmM3bdAG952JaOcbvwtEUllDFbl6NqsHWPsyeA3Mf2Y2HgCSlzA0gLQlPvY6KNU9wjeONLS6xToa6_7VLHjvjAs/s320/KITKAT+Duos+Mint+and+Dark+Chocolate+SSE19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Hershey
Company showcased their <a href="https://www.hersheyland.com/hersheys">Hershey’s</a> Emoji Bars and <a href="https://www.hersheyland.com/kit-kat">Kit Kat</a> Duos at the 2019 show.
The <span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hershey’s Emoji Bars were designed to appeal
to parents of Gen Z by serving as a fun ice breaker for children as they head
back to school. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">The Kit Kat
Duos combine Mint + Dark Chocolate Candies for a minty and crispy experience. </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJurv4eDIHvUoqyMWZS4r-ajHd5h3W3yfIw3l5ckmpxzabW99eaIlj2paS3HQ9k-ci7JLre1WgbPBNlXDiwYccAi9ONIHKRM_5GVxBXWru10MrQq-SsOyj9xgOot1q2aaVbLKP2QoC9zq/s1738/Jacques+Torres+by+Chocolate+Orchard+SSE19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1398" data-original-width="1738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJurv4eDIHvUoqyMWZS4r-ajHd5h3W3yfIw3l5ckmpxzabW99eaIlj2paS3HQ9k-ci7JLre1WgbPBNlXDiwYccAi9ONIHKRM_5GVxBXWru10MrQq-SsOyj9xgOot1q2aaVbLKP2QoC9zq/s320/Jacques+Torres+by+Chocolate+Orchard+SSE19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://mrchocolate.com/">Jacques Torres</a> by
Chocolate Orchard was launched by <a href="https://naturesgarden.net/">Nature’s Garden</a> at the 2019 show. The Fruit
& Nut Clusters combine the Nature’s Garden’s premium fruits and nuts with
Belgian chocolate from the host of the Netflix cooking show, “Nailed It”,
Master Chocolatier and Pastry Chef Jacques Torres. I was excited to meet Jacques
at the show after seeing his chocolate artistry on “Nailed It”. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Gummies<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTR-EHjYbXdgAJKtB7Mysv4bSO9ikspNyWCNrj-WFXWUh8w9vaXDJV40si3E3pOuJKf24frCuSAZO_EOzi2Ub5fPy2PRCneE9e6H2rNfjUmdU2Okr1DPs929mEp_avMEmVKdILnT7_gus/s500/Sour+Patch+Kids+Heads.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTR-EHjYbXdgAJKtB7Mysv4bSO9ikspNyWCNrj-WFXWUh8w9vaXDJV40si3E3pOuJKf24frCuSAZO_EOzi2Ub5fPy2PRCneE9e6H2rNfjUmdU2Okr1DPs929mEp_avMEmVKdILnT7_gus/s320/Sour+Patch+Kids+Heads.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Mondelez Global</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><br /><a href="https://sourpatchkids.com/heads">Sour Patch Kids Heads</a> from Mondelez Global offer 2 flavors in 1 soft & chewy candy that is
2x bigger than original Sour Patch Kids. The 2 in 1 flavor combos are pink
lemonade + blue raspberry, pineapple + redberry, and peach + orange. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrP-uXswdw0pOPCSUPweo1XP6WCVy7vOxyz65Jh25iI8271k4GdW4uvkCsvNoDni9Zfdg_mzaqeD_XqTSY656vD8Ycs0OU5ui1-quj7pZVnL8a342LiWk_vQ4V1t805VdOy0j2sbOstcnV/s2016/SmartSweets+Kick+Sugar+Keep+Candy+SSE19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrP-uXswdw0pOPCSUPweo1XP6WCVy7vOxyz65Jh25iI8271k4GdW4uvkCsvNoDni9Zfdg_mzaqeD_XqTSY656vD8Ycs0OU5ui1-quj7pZVnL8a342LiWk_vQ4V1t805VdOy0j2sbOstcnV/s320/SmartSweets+Kick+Sugar+Keep+Candy+SSE19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://smartsweets.com/">SMARTSWEETS INC</a> promoted
its Kick Sugar, Keep Candy! Message at the show with its stevia leaf
extract-sweetened SMARTSWEETS Gummy Bears and Peach Rings that contain only 3g
of sugar per 1.8 oz bag. The SMARTSWEETS are also high in fiber, with 28g of dietary
fiber from prebiotic soluble fiber from tapioca and chicory root fiber. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWKmOmbYvqwZJg9jnZf-wjsakUaNheTJKumyIyZy-wObtb3i6oUc18NyQAWngjuLcYc5cBWd5exUrf1_ls0cF3Vm0Z_qByWOPFRM2UvSMhtoMQxJYA6ykl2bvY04uY3O1AlkyK4VW0Qvn/s1659/Fini+Sweets+artwork+Jim+Victor+Marie+Pelton+SSE19+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1659" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWKmOmbYvqwZJg9jnZf-wjsakUaNheTJKumyIyZy-wObtb3i6oUc18NyQAWngjuLcYc5cBWd5exUrf1_ls0cF3Vm0Z_qByWOPFRM2UvSMhtoMQxJYA6ykl2bvY04uY3O1AlkyK4VW0Qvn/s320/Fini+Sweets+artwork+Jim+Victor+Marie+Pelton+SSE19+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://finisweetsusa.com/products/">Fini Sweets</a>,
Spain’s #1 candy manufacturer, celebrated the creativity of candy by partnering
with Chicago teenagers and candy artists. The company showcased original Fini
Creations Hooplas, Kollisions, Shock Tongues and Sour Tornadoes made for the
U.S. market in collaboration with a focus group of Chicago teenagers. For the
2019 expo, Fini Sweets worked with American candy artists Jim Victor and Marie
Pelton to create artwork that pays tribute to Chicago using Fini candy.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hard Candy<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-e5oQCmxmsYTMwes5edkH5U6ywUmKFlS34Q7a2QT_a6OGzjczbCatxeZ1UqFzxS2IgOsywpJSgrPiP7V4NIp7xjcJDuc7SErMf-EXrj-OjoiruZMFmxDcGYxwLG21Az12ahPT4P51Rv0/s1846/Smarties+me+with+Liz+Dee+SSE19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="1846" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-e5oQCmxmsYTMwes5edkH5U6ywUmKFlS34Q7a2QT_a6OGzjczbCatxeZ1UqFzxS2IgOsywpJSgrPiP7V4NIp7xjcJDuc7SErMf-EXrj-OjoiruZMFmxDcGYxwLG21Az12ahPT4P51Rv0/s320/Smarties+me+with+Liz+Dee+SSE19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I got to meet <a href="https://www.smarties.com/">Smarties</a> Candy Company’s
Co-President Liz Dee at the 2019 expo. Did you know that each classic roll of Smarties is only
25 calories? I did not know that until I started writing this article. In case
you were curious, the six classic Smarties flavors are White (Orange/Cream),
Yellow (Pineapple), Pink (Cherry), Green (Strawberry), Purple (Grape), and
Orange (Orange). Smarties are also gluten-free and vegan.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Check out <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sweets-snacks-trends-2019-virginia-lee?trk=public_profile_article_view">my recap of the 2019 Sweets
& Snacks Expo</a> where I observed trends in nut butters, keto friendly, flavor
duos, superfoods, and low sugar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-35549663320759243542021-06-08T13:59:00.013-05:002021-06-08T14:54:45.169-05:00National Restaurant Association Show’s 2021 Food and Beverage Winners: Part 2<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnN7LWXgMQFxL0vV2-wMmmCwlPdQYCSmb7jkmy4d3xm-NkU1AAwWzgrNCBKxH3MeZBtHXllA8KBrDGrHkm9iGPffJ0_T3LfDkGMT2VF-Gv3lSKLF7fL8F5YZFafx6RVK25Hhzqe3FLZ0Ra/s1200/FABI+2021+Awards+photo+on+Twitter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnN7LWXgMQFxL0vV2-wMmmCwlPdQYCSmb7jkmy4d3xm-NkU1AAwWzgrNCBKxH3MeZBtHXllA8KBrDGrHkm9iGPffJ0_T3LfDkGMT2VF-Gv3lSKLF7fL8F5YZFafx6RVK25Hhzqe3FLZ0Ra/s320/FABI+2021+Awards+photo+on+Twitter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: National Restaurant Association Show</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /><a href="http://www.virginiaalee.com/2021/05/the-national-restaurant-association.html">In part 1 of my coverage of the National Restaurant Association Show’s 2021 Food and Beverage (FABI) Awards program</a>, I took at look at the winners for beverages. In part 2, I will look at
some of the FABI award winners in food. Although this year’s Restaurant Show
was cancelled, the FABI Awards program still took place in May 2021. <a href="https://www.nationalrestaurantshow.com/show-features/FABI">The FABI Awards program recognizes food and beverage products that provide innovations in taste, creativity, packaging, and profit potential</a>. Common themes among this
year’s 24 winning foodservice products are plant-based foods, clean labels,
gluten-free options, and grab-and-go formats. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rising Demand for Plant-based Meats<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Consumer demand for plant-based foods
continues to rise so it’s not a surprise that five of the 24 winners were for
plant-based meat analogues. <a href="https://progressivegrocer.com/plant-based-food-sales-27-7b-2020">Retail sales of plant-based meat increased by 45%in 2020 to reach $1.4 billion according to SPINS data commissioned by The GoodFood Institute and Plant Based Foods Association</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Incogmeato Homestyle Chik’n Tenders</span></i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ0Vqf6DVthZ8XBltv3tAE-gmQ6vZsQFvrkWy6Qq1ZV6zYs8KtbFGGueh4erirYJWQqVfwSl_6hWdCG710U_GMu3EsKDvtmw7PhM-jXkks77gjlD6Se4aVcrUnazHo6qHKz-UCO4AAGx6/s2016/Incogmeato+Chik+N+Tenders_Marianos+Loop.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ0Vqf6DVthZ8XBltv3tAE-gmQ6vZsQFvrkWy6Qq1ZV6zYs8KtbFGGueh4erirYJWQqVfwSl_6hWdCG710U_GMu3EsKDvtmw7PhM-jXkks77gjlD6Se4aVcrUnazHo6qHKz-UCO4AAGx6/s320/Incogmeato+Chik+N+Tenders_Marianos+Loop.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Virginia Lee</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.incogmeato.com/en_US/home.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=MSF%7CBing%7CSearch%7CBrand%7CGeneral%7CIncogmeato%7CBMM%7CAugust">Kellogg’s Incogmeato Homestyle Chik’n Tenders, Italian Sausage, and Original Bratwurst</a> are meatless products that are
100% plant-based and can be used in place of traditional meats. Incogmeato is
part of Kellogg’s vegetarian MorningStar Farms brand. Incogmeato is geared
towards flexitarians who would like to reduce meat consumption without giving
up flavor. You may have seen Incogmeato’s TV commercials that ask, “Afraid you
might like it?”. At the 2019 show, I had the chance to taste MorningStar Farms
Chorizo and meet chef Paul Kahan when the company and three-time James Beard
Award-winning chef collaborated to bring a LTO (limited-time offer) menu item –
MorningStar Farms Chorizo Taco – to Kahan’s Big Star restaurants and samples to
the show.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Beyond Chicken Tenders</span></i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH81CSsFEN5jA_oSogBpo_sN2ee7gmcinnH9Iv0Yez0ZTrEG8GaIIIoBL2_Kh6lEMLx4J6Op37GcAw4fiz-rHpNdIgeuVmK1NXo-o-PUJBF_-1kJj35iDvoBuqDGmSHMt6PkPjUvNMhwD0/s1819/Beyond+Chicken+Tenders.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1819" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH81CSsFEN5jA_oSogBpo_sN2ee7gmcinnH9Iv0Yez0ZTrEG8GaIIIoBL2_Kh6lEMLx4J6Op37GcAw4fiz-rHpNdIgeuVmK1NXo-o-PUJBF_-1kJj35iDvoBuqDGmSHMt6PkPjUvNMhwD0/s320/Beyond+Chicken+Tenders.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Beyond Meat</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.beyondmeat.com/food-service/">Beyond Meat</a> won a FABI award for its
Beyond Chicken Tenders. The company was one of the first to introduce a
plant-based chicken analogue when it launched its Chicken-Free Strips into
limited distribution in 2012 and into Whole Foods Market stores in 2013. Although
vegetarian hot dogs have been around since 1949, the concept of plant-based
foods that mimic the taste and texture of meat gaining popularity among
non-vegetarians was new in 2014 when <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K007k-gN4Dw&t=17s">I talked about Beyond Meat’s Chicken-Free Strips in a video for Euromonitor International</a> and asked the question, “Can
vegan food products succeed in the US and beyond”. By July 2019, Beyond Meat
had garnered a lot of press attention for signing deals for its products to be
served in multiple restaurant chains including Denny’s, Hardees, Dunkin’
Brands, McDonald’s Canada, Carl’s Jr, and Subway. We can definitely say in 2021
that vegan food products can indeed succeed in the U.S. if they replicate the
taste, texture, and aroma of meat and are called plant-based instead of vegan
or vegetarian. In the photo from the 2019 show, you can see the huge crowds
waiting for the samples of Beyond Meat sliders and walking tacos.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">UNCUT
Plant-Based Taco Ground</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBw6AaeDvf1sV9a-1P8sF1eHdZ_AMxEH9x-U5j2If97nE1zcsNXjFyEP691rLnQ_ySV-ytnI6GAwaE-uGM0JEp4UQECHYCW5we2Giuev3Uu_DKWeunvn_Q5-2UFILxdY5NPTa6dGvopqp/s393/UNCUT+Plant+Based+Taco+Ground.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBw6AaeDvf1sV9a-1P8sF1eHdZ_AMxEH9x-U5j2If97nE1zcsNXjFyEP691rLnQ_ySV-ytnI6GAwaE-uGM0JEp4UQECHYCW5we2Giuev3Uu_DKWeunvn_Q5-2UFILxdY5NPTa6dGvopqp/s320/UNCUT+Plant+Based+Taco+Ground.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Before the Butcher</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another plant-based meat FABI award
winner is <a href="https://btbfoods.com/foodservice/">Before the Butcher’s UNCUT Plant-Based Taco Ground</a>. The UNCUT Plant-Based
Taco Ground is a vegan substitute for tacos and burrito and comes pre-seasoned
with Mexican-style spices. Before the Butcher aims to improve human health, the
environment, and animal welfare by producing products that are gluten-free,
non-GMO Project verified, and cholesterol-free with less water and less land
than required to make similar animal-based products.</span><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i>Grab-and-Go Formats</i></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd0APKsJ6atteVztZFAYWv0zeYdbT4G9llag0-GN3m7nf3CuRqj8FPEI5O8vST-R-Hb-bFxbxpUXbFHUeX10FcjXlBe4Cw5272Ybk-_5JSa6ZlmiZJgrL_n6iQL9n1Epl5N7PxAC55e_E/s1200/JD_Sausage-FABI_tots_banner_img_1200x300.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd0APKsJ6atteVztZFAYWv0zeYdbT4G9llag0-GN3m7nf3CuRqj8FPEI5O8vST-R-Hb-bFxbxpUXbFHUeX10FcjXlBe4Cw5272Ybk-_5JSa6ZlmiZJgrL_n6iQL9n1Epl5N7PxAC55e_E/s320/JD_Sausage-FABI_tots_banner_img_1200x300.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Tyson Foods Inc.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">In the grab-and-go
category, <a href="https://www.tysonfoodservice.com/jimmy-dean-sausage-tots">Tyson Food Inc’s Jimmy Dean Sausage Tots</a> combine two American
favorites – sausage and tater tots - into a unique on-the-go snack option. The
Sausage Tots offers restaurant operators speed (The tots can be fried in about
three minutes.) and easy preparation. The handheld item offers versatility as
it can be served as a snack, a side, center-of-plate, or combined with
scrambled eggs and vegetables in a Mega Breakfast Burrito.</span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt;"><strong><span style="color: #1f2123; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></strong></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQBH6Md7csRzx9P9GV3v6T792UxiffPqYj8mSoq_1PQpYWRzEjIvdE8Q2MMtXmd2Dwox1ZdeaxvBNZEKefLKoSRYf3xrzJUaMl9af8UUvdvNE5BPbhMTm9U0JpwEUxmmsP6xLY1gqLmZ6/s205/Elis+Cheesecake+Mini+Dulce+de+Leche+Pie.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQBH6Md7csRzx9P9GV3v6T792UxiffPqYj8mSoq_1PQpYWRzEjIvdE8Q2MMtXmd2Dwox1ZdeaxvBNZEKefLKoSRYf3xrzJUaMl9af8UUvdvNE5BPbhMTm9U0JpwEUxmmsP6xLY1gqLmZ6/s0/Elis+Cheesecake+Mini+Dulce+de+Leche+Pie.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Eli's Cheesecake</td></tr></tbody></table><strong><span style="color: #1f2123; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />A sweet grab-and-go option is <a href="https://elicheesecake.com/">Eli’s Cheesecake Co.’s</a> Mini
Dulce De Leche Pie with the taste of creamy dulce de leche caramel in an
all-butter shortbread crust, topped with sprinkled sugar. The mini size allows
it to be served as a small bite, a component of a composed dessert, or as a
decadent beverage garnish. For the National Restaurant
Association’s Show’s centennial in May 2019, the family-owned company created a
showstopping, 23-feet high, 1,200-pound cheesecake to celebrate the
#100YearsOfWow. I look forward to seeing Eli’s Cheesecake owners Marc and
Maureen Schulman at next year’s <a href="https://www.nationalrestaurantshow.com/">National Restaurant Association Show</a>.<br /></span></strong><strong><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4Dsb68vjsM-cRDLgCN0TTRSVaLDg8AJiFJCaw4QkALw6xuR3TkBiG-cSkRZ4Qvv42sBaGBmJzjCK7XsrSDSs1heHpZqpH5GaOsBg5Y8FFI4duadEkbl3u0OzrNQ3BpN5O314FySymL4x/s2016/Elis+Cheese+NRA+Show+2019+Centennial+.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4Dsb68vjsM-cRDLgCN0TTRSVaLDg8AJiFJCaw4QkALw6xuR3TkBiG-cSkRZ4Qvv42sBaGBmJzjCK7XsrSDSs1heHpZqpH5GaOsBg5Y8FFI4duadEkbl3u0OzrNQ3BpN5O314FySymL4x/s320/Elis+Cheese+NRA+Show+2019+Centennial+.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: 2019 National Restaurant Association Show by Virginia Lee</td></tr></tbody></table></strong><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Gluten-free Options </span></i></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 9pt;"></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQVTYTB7tMiLo5T_fX8GQUy9y6FsHAnfebtx_IAff9nwUYWg8uxzWkaNZ416SENgEkgbZwz5WPkLqAg_52TBUaoR6dOE_-GA5rnIA9B4iHy9ZM7e2IiyaQrnhOd6DkKUIKVDDonY_P00Y/s709/ItalCrust+Gluten-Free-Pizza-NB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="709" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQVTYTB7tMiLo5T_fX8GQUy9y6FsHAnfebtx_IAff9nwUYWg8uxzWkaNZ416SENgEkgbZwz5WPkLqAg_52TBUaoR6dOE_-GA5rnIA9B4iHy9ZM7e2IiyaQrnhOd6DkKUIKVDDonY_P00Y/s320/ItalCrust+Gluten-Free-Pizza-NB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: ItalCrust</td></tr></tbody></table><br />A new gluten-free option for pizza is <a href="https://italcrust.com/">ItalCrust's Gluten Free Pizza Crust</a>, with the company stating that it "is the first and only pre-made, gluten free pizza crust made from wheat available in the US". The crust has been made in a completely controlled environment to ensure safety for customers with celiac disease. I'm intrigued by this pizza crust because it is made from deglutinated wheat flour while the gluten-free pizza crusts I have previously eaten had replaced wheat with ingredients such as cauliflower, brown rice flour, and tapioca. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGRO8OK64ci-5VWDTn6UDlPH3oXUssz3qUedMNrZpekIFcNJLBx5I9ZpoyaWTPU2683sgq9a8APlS0zqHjn_Bt5sQFQd-yUmR3OndD1EZAf8jVyxmDJEiLbW5Y_C-es4kEj89nDXMdOfs/s800/Taste+Republic+Cauliflower+Gnocchi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGRO8OK64ci-5VWDTn6UDlPH3oXUssz3qUedMNrZpekIFcNJLBx5I9ZpoyaWTPU2683sgq9a8APlS0zqHjn_Bt5sQFQd-yUmR3OndD1EZAf8jVyxmDJEiLbW5Y_C-es4kEj89nDXMdOfs/s320/Taste+Republic+Cauliflower+Gnocchi.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Tribe 9 Foods</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Another gluten-free product is Tribe 9 Foods' <a href="https://tasterepublicglutenfree.com/pages/new-pastas-for-you-only-at-target">Taste Republic Pre-Cooked Gluten-Free Cauliflower Gnocchi</a> which offers a gluten-free alternative to traditional gnocchi made with potatoes and wheat flour. The Cauliflower Gnocchi contains nearly one full serving of cauliflower and 5 grams of protein per serving. The pasta is certified gluten-free, grain-free, kosher, and non-GMO. The gnocchi have been frozen to extend shelf life to a year. On the retail end, the company's products are now available at Target. Tribe 9 Foods has extensive experience in pasta with its RPs Pasta Company and Carla's Pasta brands. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">You can read <a href="http://www.virginiaalee.com/2021/05/the-national-restaurant-association.html">my coverage of the FABI beverage winners in part 1</a> and see all <a href="https://www.nationalrestaurantshow.com/show-features/FABI">24 FABI Award winners through the National Restaurant Association Show's Show To Go</a>. </span></p><p></p><p></p></div>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-5273362031446089562021-05-31T23:52:00.014-05:002021-06-03T17:46:01.264-05:00National Restaurant Association Show’s 2021 Food and Beverage Awards Part 1<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt4EhA6jQSLcvM6tBEYLy7B5XOWGOsKCCfHgqNRT8ozGMNSeNsnE2kD4_hxLKVwqwzre4b9LIemdJz6CpIWguAUOo7AI-4aDyZ0oEhzJXlVfixwQL_0Gmmipre5wUzzfwVs6rqH8EWupl/s2016/La+Colombe+2019+FABI+Award.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt4EhA6jQSLcvM6tBEYLy7B5XOWGOsKCCfHgqNRT8ozGMNSeNsnE2kD4_hxLKVwqwzre4b9LIemdJz6CpIWguAUOo7AI-4aDyZ0oEhzJXlVfixwQL_0Gmmipre5wUzzfwVs6rqH8EWupl/s320/La+Colombe+2019+FABI+Award.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: 2019 Restaurant Show by Virginia Lee</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’m back to blogging again after taking a break in 2020 when in-person
trade shows were cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. Although the
COVID-19 vaccine rollout is prompting the return of in-person trade shows, the
<a href="https://restaurant.org/home">National Restaurant Association</a> was unable to hold its annual Restaurant Show at Chicago’s McCormick Place this year. Though the National Restaurant Association shifted
to a digital marketplace for 2021 with <a href="https://www.nationalrestaurantshow.com/mys/show-to-go">The Show To Go</a>, the association continued
with its annual <a href="https://www.nationalrestaurantshow.com/show-features/FABI">Food and Beverage (FABI Awards)</a> in May 2021. One of my favorite
activities at the show has been attending the FABI Awards tasting events. At the last
show I attended in 2019, the FABI Awards Tastings allowed me a chance to try
many of the award-winning food and beverages and learn about the product from the company representatives. Common themes among the 24 winning foodservice
products are plant-based foods, clean labels, gluten-free options, and grab-and-go
formats. In this post, I will look at some of the FABI Award winners in beverages and cover the food winners in part 2.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">La Colombe Draft Chocolate Milk</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2oTRhz9PReoosF94IZY-Cp44st_LzsGp3UH3CnKcuJu6JkQ-qYXDLvd5cq2OIU-RzotGdw0nMrBdnZYUDBQQTSbJGHbYS5-NWHszHltSBU6ZI5k_TWjEQBfdb1_DBKjZn_weFrop_csF/s2016/La+Colombe+Draft+Chocolate+Milk+pouring+can.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2oTRhz9PReoosF94IZY-Cp44st_LzsGp3UH3CnKcuJu6JkQ-qYXDLvd5cq2OIU-RzotGdw0nMrBdnZYUDBQQTSbJGHbYS5-NWHszHltSBU6ZI5k_TWjEQBfdb1_DBKjZn_weFrop_csF/s320/La+Colombe+Draft+Chocolate+Milk+pouring+can.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Virginia Lee</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Although I was only able to try one of this year’s FABI beverage winners, the La Colombe Draft Chocolate Milk, I
look forward to trying to many of the other winners during restaurant visits or
at next year’s National Restaurant Association Show. I was able to find the <a href="https://www.lacolombe.com/pages/draft-latte?msclkid=a1deaa4e9d5718c710fbcaf8014ce121&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PS_Bing_Brand%20Products_BOF&utm_term=la%20colombe%20draft%20latte&utm_content=Draft%20Latte_Exact">La Colombe Draft Chocolate Milk</a> at a Target. This is chocolate milk for adults as it combines the same high quality cocoa served in La
Colombe’s cafes with lactose-free, nonfat milk and nitrous oxide in a
<a href="https://www.bevnet.com/news/2016/frothy-innovation-la-colombe-launches-canned-draft-latte">patented InnoValve can</a> to offer a frothy, creamy drink similar to nitro coffees served at coffee shops. The beverage with no added caffeine contains 10 grams of protein, 130 calories, 4 grams of added sugars, and 18 grams of total sugars in a 9 oz. can. La Colombe Coffee Roasters, based in Philadelphia, has 30 cafes nationwide and has been
offering canned draft latte products since 2016. I remember talking to La
Colombe CEO and co-founder Todd Carmichael back in 2016 as he was beginning to
launch the canned draft latte coffees beyond the cafes.</p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">RISE Original Oat Milk</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgit6plq7OkutEqSmYpr6VpUVsBxtXhYJVWNrSKuhmToLMrqXlvLwZ7ByTJsuPuxztRB_njI8DRd4q5zT-v0G6fdLD3yvvjw3mJrl_7pexFTQuZFbnURukvJGXmAhbRZvjECYfoc1H1anEz/s2016/RISE+Original+Oat+Milk.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgit6plq7OkutEqSmYpr6VpUVsBxtXhYJVWNrSKuhmToLMrqXlvLwZ7ByTJsuPuxztRB_njI8DRd4q5zT-v0G6fdLD3yvvjw3mJrl_7pexFTQuZFbnURukvJGXmAhbRZvjECYfoc1H1anEz/s320/RISE+Original+Oat+Milk.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: 2019 Restaurant Show by Virginia Lee</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Consumers are looking for plant-based alternatives with a short list of ingredients that they recognize and can pronounce. RISE Brewing Co.'s <a href="https://risebrewingco.com/products/original-oat-milk">RISE Original Oat Milk</a> addresses the clean label and the plant-based milk alternative trend by using only four ingredients: organic oats, organic sunflower oil, water, and a dash of salt. Sales of plant-based milk alternatives have been growing steadily while that of dairy milk has declined. <a href="https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/18318-dairy-meat-alternative-sales-surged-to-7-billion-in-2020">Retail value sales of plant-based milks grew by 20% in 2020 to reach $2.5 billion according to SPINS data</a>. Oat milk was the fastest grower among the plant-based milks, more than tripling its sales in 2020. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Moshi Yuzu Sparkling Water Unsweetened White Peach</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><strong></strong></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3V3qRadIv1d28KFSwCIwfXZM7aF5VMRlnG_z0JKc9_VwudFg2bqsFAodNNytDCA_m_bZHWUVagZYR5744kPoex0tgFxoVTtDwyG_tltgAhJCLgtE3J7mh80ltmkL1Ah6P6dy7W7EqHCAE/s2048/Moshi+Yuzu+Sparkling.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="2048" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3V3qRadIv1d28KFSwCIwfXZM7aF5VMRlnG_z0JKc9_VwudFg2bqsFAodNNytDCA_m_bZHWUVagZYR5744kPoex0tgFxoVTtDwyG_tltgAhJCLgtE3J7mh80ltmkL1Ah6P6dy7W7EqHCAE/w320-h161/Moshi+Yuzu+Sparkling.jpg" title="Source: Brooklyn Food & Beverage" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Brooklyn Food & Beverage</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Brooklyn Food & Beverage's <a href="https://www.drinkmoshi.com/">Moshi Yuzu Sparkling Water Unsweetened White Peach</a> offers consumers a clean label beverage with no added sugar. This unsweetened variety in the Moshi Sparkling Water line contains carbonated water, yuzu juice, white peach juice concentrate, and natural flavors, with 20 calories in a 12 oz. bottle. Yuzu fruit is native to Japan and offers an aromatic citrusy flavor. <a href="https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/producer-profile-bruce-cost-bruce-cost-ginger-ale-thirst-variety/">The company's co-founder Bruce Cost popularized the craft ginger ale category through the launch of his Bruce Cost Ginger Ales</a>. I have been a big fan of Bruce Cost's ginger ales ever since Cost introduced his fresh, unfiltered ginger ales into Lettuce Entertain You's Big Bowl and Wow Bao restaurants in Chicago. </span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Sarah's Homegrown Agua Frescas </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTn3VKKhNHKK0VDd5jJvWx-x5_Ct0DYvfo7pV_Gii3wJUy2mb9iQfK9VblKgF7ToOboL1kFbsX7s95ROYSinojtNJ2RgkMhKDR9TXCYyibq1ES8OHwDbK3e_5iHe6DcP3Fm1XeR3SLugT/s2048/Sarahs+Homegrown+Agua+Fresca.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTn3VKKhNHKK0VDd5jJvWx-x5_Ct0DYvfo7pV_Gii3wJUy2mb9iQfK9VblKgF7ToOboL1kFbsX7s95ROYSinojtNJ2RgkMhKDR9TXCYyibq1ES8OHwDbK3e_5iHe6DcP3Fm1XeR3SLugT/s320/Sarahs+Homegrown+Agua+Fresca.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Frey Farms, LLC</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://freyfarms.com/products/beverages/">Frey Farms' Sarah's Homegrown Agua Frescas</a> are another clean label beverage with a short list of ingredients. The three Agua Frescas in Mango, Strawberry, and Watermelon varieties contain water, fruit purees, fruit and vegetable juices, cane sugar, and natural flavors. Each 12 oz. bottle contains 60 calories and 14 to 15 grams of sugar. Founded in 1992 by Sarah Frey, Frey Farms is based in Keenes, Illinois and uses sustainable farming practices including using imperfect "ugly fruits" in its beverages to reduce food waste. Frey is not only an entrepreneur and the <a href="https://www.unitedfresh.org/">United Fresh Produce Association's</a> <a href="https://www.thepacker.com/markets/marketing-news/people/united-fresh-women-produce-honoree-sarah-frey-i-just-went-it">2020 Women in Produce honoree</a> but an author. She writes about growing as the youngest of 21 children on a struggling farm in southern Illinois, taking over the family farm when it faced foreclosure, and becoming one of America's largest fresh produce growers and shippers in her autobiography, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Season-Saved-American-Farm/dp/0593129393/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+growing+season&qid=1608572326&sr=8-1">The Growing Season: How I Built a New Life -- and Saved an American Farm</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Natalie's Pineapple, Kale, Zinc & Vitamin D Juice</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnxAzt57F5R6j9-7U8D1r_nlbYyeeRdvaFdpF4sNdH-_-7fzOTUbUf-vBMlhR2fMBfVqwLaLw147KrS2Jtjj7-swcZqHJQBhuDX76NI3YsRAlggDD03Z9dDqiGk3i4pTl_aJlcmeUO8HM/s241/Natalies+Pineapple+Kale+Zinc+Juice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnxAzt57F5R6j9-7U8D1r_nlbYyeeRdvaFdpF4sNdH-_-7fzOTUbUf-vBMlhR2fMBfVqwLaLw147KrS2Jtjj7-swcZqHJQBhuDX76NI3YsRAlggDD03Z9dDqiGk3i4pTl_aJlcmeUO8HM/s0/Natalies+Pineapple+Kale+Zinc+Juice.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Co.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.orchidislandjuice.com/juices/pineapple-kale-zinc/">Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Co.'s Natalie's Pineapple, Kale, Zinc & Vitamin D Juice</a> targets consumers who are increasingly looking to build immunity through its use of multiple ingredients associated with immunity - vitamin C-rich pineapples, zinc, and vitamin D. The clean label juice also offers an antioxidant-rich blend of spinach and kale along with celery. COVID-19 has led to growing demand for immunity-boosting foods and beverages, with <a href="https://www.agdaily.com/insights/2021-food-marketing-trends-immunity-boosting-claims-are-here-to">the global immunity-strengthening food products market expected to grow from $16.31 billion in 2019 to $22.76 billion in 2020 according to The Business Research Company</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">For a look at all 24 FABI Award winners, check out <a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/food/national-restaurant-association-show-announces-2021-food-beverage-award-recipients">Restaurant Business's article on the FABI Awards</a> and a webinar where <a href="https://www.bigmarker.com/NationalRestaurantShow/FABIAwards?utm_bmcr_source=CEPartner">two 2021 FABI Awards judges discuss today's top food & beverage trends</a>. In part 2, I will cover some of the FABI Award winners in food. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><p></p>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-37503856307537228492019-12-22T15:51:00.000-06:002019-12-22T17:23:10.472-06:00Housewares Gift Ideas for Beverage Lovers <span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Looking
for last minute gift ideas for friends and family who enjoy beverages? I have
some gift ideas for everyone from coffee drinkers to fans of cocktails
and wines as well as those seeking to avoid using disposable straws from the <a href="https://www.theinspiredhomeshow.com/?msclkid=5c9181a873be1e55dd7cdc57bfb36189&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=The%20Inspired%20Home%20Show&utm_term=housewares%20show&utm_content=Housewares%20Show">International
Home + Housewares Show</a> (being renamed as The Inspired Home Show for 2020) held
by the International Housewares Association (IHA) which took place in March at
Chicago’s McCormick Place. Beverages are so important to the housewares buyers
that the IHA hosted A Marketplace for Specialty Beverage on March 2 prior to
the opening of the show. </span></div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For coffee
aficionados</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ESPRO’s TC1 Coffee Tasting Cups caught my eye at the Housewares
Show. Similar to how Riedel offers grape varietal specific wine glasses to
accentuate the flavor of different varietals, ESPRO’s new <a href="https://www.espro.com/catalog/tasting-cups">Coffee Tasting Cups</a> are
designed to bring out a coffee’s individual characteristics. The company states
that a cup’s shape can intensify the flavors and aromas in coffee. The set of
four cups include Cocoa, Floral Jasmine, Fruity Berry, and Spicy Cinnamon.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuEyjhI3YEkIAyDWbhrEehjUeicB3r0JOTYFc6onzpk9eQfZcA9mEs93w4t2GAQ_B2FIzXDvhCh7c0SIgJ_qU3a8sCXEqB327GZhC0FPnFepEoKBTxI2duCKqGu0H5ylnw_xgwgzBAQ1S/s1600/Espro+coffee+tasting+cups.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuEyjhI3YEkIAyDWbhrEehjUeicB3r0JOTYFc6onzpk9eQfZcA9mEs93w4t2GAQ_B2FIzXDvhCh7c0SIgJ_qU3a8sCXEqB327GZhC0FPnFepEoKBTxI2duCKqGu0H5ylnw_xgwgzBAQ1S/s320/Espro+coffee+tasting+cups.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjas5BpP-d1ANsAJp8R2R4PxPstlaVo7xdLU5x_YJaoFMhuQZoMmRR4qx3amYgG5oO177qHS4l5RmKp4sXqDrsECO8qqlEYfNN4BvTbl705qoEKTMnxzEYYStwCtC9IU-HhAD6CAs7U65bI/s1600/Melitta+heritage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjas5BpP-d1ANsAJp8R2R4PxPstlaVo7xdLU5x_YJaoFMhuQZoMmRR4qx3amYgG5oO177qHS4l5RmKp4sXqDrsECO8qqlEYfNN4BvTbl705qoEKTMnxzEYYStwCtC9IU-HhAD6CAs7U65bI/s320/Melitta+heritage.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The traditional pour-over coffee brewing method has become popular
in recent years. I even wrote a blog article on the <a href="https://blog.euromonitor.com/pour-over-coffee-in-the-us-trend-or-fad/">rise
of pour-over coffee</a>. Melitta is the brand that originated the pour-over
brew method. In 1908, Melitta Bentz, a German housewife, got frustrated with drinking bitter coffee so she punched holes in the bottom of a brass pot and used blotting paper from her son's book as a filter for the coffee grounds. The company's <a href="https://shoponline.melitta.com/collections/pour-over™/View-All-pour-Overs&?utm_source=bing&utm_term=melitta%20pour%20over&utm_campaign=Melitta%20Brand_Pour%20Overs_Exact&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=ITYIZVtc_dc|pcrid|77859207304007|pkw|melitta%20pour%20over|pmt|be&msclkid=71652fbe404615e0c2267241b13b45ae">Heritage Series Porcelain Pour-Over Coffeemakers</a> offer a time-tested way to make coffee and are an attractive addition to the kitchen in pastel shades (Blue, Yellow, Pink), and White. The Coffeemaker includes a porcelain Pour-Over cone, a matching 20 oz. porcelain serving carafe, and a porcelain lid for the carafe. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lWI5vgvm-DnfAWiqJJEOQyXp9WnsbpC0pw2nw9yvhp5y8hdW1w75ik-dOHaCdWy_Dif3OD5mVM2_5eckODiMj4qogYrtaAGUrdOF_CzIoZzBDwXC4YqNlFxE18iVkjpDQSVeDUzTOwm1/s1600/Goat+Story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lWI5vgvm-DnfAWiqJJEOQyXp9WnsbpC0pw2nw9yvhp5y8hdW1w75ik-dOHaCdWy_Dif3OD5mVM2_5eckODiMj4qogYrtaAGUrdOF_CzIoZzBDwXC4YqNlFxE18iVkjpDQSVeDUzTOwm1/s320/Goat+Story.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://aeropress.com/">AeroPress</a> fans can now get a
travel version to brew American, espresso, and cold brew style coffee. The
original AeroPress is already small and lightweight as it is made with plastic.
The new AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press packs all the features of the original
AeroPress and includes a mug that allows the AeroPress and all of its
accessories (scoop, filter holder, stirrer) to fit inside. The Go version features
a slightly shorter design with 8 oz (237ml) brewing capacity instead of the
original’s 10 oz (296ml) capacity. and a carry case to hold 20 of its proprietary
filters.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpEbr1rBaQeKYK8cLcH1poQz5vhvkuuMGyDby52rB9HBNHEws_ED8CRWhXwVZ2iS_tG_rTe7U6rwqAadmYUfF2GRmKXs1Mixyk27E-X2G3JGWrASHvyxV1aswAY6EFw-3_a8rR8vs-GTp/s1600/AeroPress+2019+housewares.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpEbr1rBaQeKYK8cLcH1poQz5vhvkuuMGyDby52rB9HBNHEws_ED8CRWhXwVZ2iS_tG_rTe7U6rwqAadmYUfF2GRmKXs1Mixyk27E-X2G3JGWrASHvyxV1aswAY6EFw-3_a8rR8vs-GTp/s320/AeroPress+2019+housewares.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://counterculturecoffee.com/">Counter Culture Coffee</a>
is one of the leaders in specialty coffee and known for their quality,
sustainability, and education. The company offers year-round coffees,
single-origin coffees, and limited-release coffees as a coffee subscription.
You can also find their coffees on Amazon.com and at Target. I have had the
pleasure of attending one of their Friday morning coffee cupping sessions at
their Chicago training center. They host free cupping sessions and paid coffee
brewing workshops for the public at training centers throughout the US. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpKf_nmfuKVosIZqaMYFUBtTFx9CWQHiwbU7w0VcoyWK_-z1cD_SDeZ2lKULuT-R5d75T3l_m22SLGql_6Ov5zMrNTfaymmU2eAqM0qsAfP4Gbhpg8FQ0LIn-PoPI89hAH6iqSDiXmjsa/s1600/Counter+Culture+2019+housewares.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpKf_nmfuKVosIZqaMYFUBtTFx9CWQHiwbU7w0VcoyWK_-z1cD_SDeZ2lKULuT-R5d75T3l_m22SLGql_6Ov5zMrNTfaymmU2eAqM0qsAfP4Gbhpg8FQ0LIn-PoPI89hAH6iqSDiXmjsa/s320/Counter+Culture+2019+housewares.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nespresso coffee machine owners can enjoy the company’s new <a href="https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/master-origin-coffee-pods">Nespresso Master
Origin coffee</a> range. To showcase its “Mastered by Craftsmen, Inspired By
The Land” message, Nespresso featured a multi-sensorial display involving
sight, smell, touch, sound, and taste at their booth. The coffees were from
Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Nicaragua. My favorite among
the new Nespresso coffee capsules was the one from India as it offered
complexity – I detected very different taste notes as I sipped the coffee at
multiple temperatures from hot to warm. The coffee beans from India go through
a monsooning process where the beans are exposed to warm and wet monsoon winds.
The official flavor notes are woody, spicy, complex, and intense.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIASU-ZbI0hz2lxvK4N4el41Ik_PBVwUf00Jt8rAGCveh2kFhX7NfAuMkW2Thl2eDMDeuSW1GSmInA-dgRa8w5Fa7b33i-xTqDcBJDCXoMCeAAA7oyKs_tGVG-4bYE_7dvRKOUrOWMDN0/s1600/Nespresso+India.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIASU-ZbI0hz2lxvK4N4el41Ik_PBVwUf00Jt8rAGCveh2kFhX7NfAuMkW2Thl2eDMDeuSW1GSmInA-dgRa8w5Fa7b33i-xTqDcBJDCXoMCeAAA7oyKs_tGVG-4bYE_7dvRKOUrOWMDN0/s320/Nespresso+India.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP4cGdnfbPHApuIcJvaCM1rmRl2aU6y0rET4EvSVi7jb7VxbOYW1V3doXGVMoqkqsA9oVwKUqQKBjB-2Gt0RDNI9Ho0QMnMOeGKjWAfZe5bF6kB0v0D3tPiZD2hFbeDiwRcshDFbFDM31/s1600/Keurig+K-Cafe+latte.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP4cGdnfbPHApuIcJvaCM1rmRl2aU6y0rET4EvSVi7jb7VxbOYW1V3doXGVMoqkqsA9oVwKUqQKBjB-2Gt0RDNI9Ho0QMnMOeGKjWAfZe5bF6kB0v0D3tPiZD2hFbeDiwRcshDFbFDM31/s320/Keurig+K-Cafe+latte.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Keurig coffee maker users now have the option to make lattes and cappuccinos with the <a href="https://www.keurig.com/Coffee-Makers/Home-Coffee-Makers/K-Café®-Special-Edition-Single-Serve-Coffee%2C-Latte-%26-Cappuccino-Maker/p/K-Cafe-Special-Edition-Coffee-Latte-Cappuccino-Maker">K-Café Special Edition Single Serve Coffee, Latte & Cappuccino Maker.</a> In addition
to brewing single-serve coffees with K-Cup pods, it has a SHOT button to brew a
concentrated shot of coffee from a K-Cup pod to make hot or iced lattes and
cappuccinos. The attached dishwasher safe frother can froth fresh milk, including
skim, soy, and almond. It even has a COLD setting for cold frother milk. This
model is also the most attractive Keurig brewer to date with metal details and
a nickel colored finish.<span style="background: white; letter-spacing: .75pt;"></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the at-home mixologist</span></b><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The neighbors who love to throw a party but don’t want to act as a
bartender will like the <a href="https://bartesian.com/">Bartesian</a>
appliance that makes premium cocktails at the touch of a button. The machine
works like a Keurig coffee brewer by using cocktail capsules filled with real
ingredients and mixing with a liquid (in this case, your choice of whiskey,
tequila, vodka, rum, or water). The Bartesian reads the bar code on the capsule
to identify the cocktail selection, chooses which spirit to draw from one of
four reservoirs, and allows the user to choose the strength from mocktail to
double.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMPy9mtYiV-yaUQBaBtD6MN64BwxEeqsiEI9I5LG2EihG-PI2BZwz8kXHeYUryRczdn3hQEjRkaX98UXzfM7cjvMFOrke5cf0EeNiKssvFmVJN_ERFedxaavvvumo_u7nuT5Q1GJgjaT3/s1600/Bartesian.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMPy9mtYiV-yaUQBaBtD6MN64BwxEeqsiEI9I5LG2EihG-PI2BZwz8kXHeYUryRczdn3hQEjRkaX98UXzfM7cjvMFOrke5cf0EeNiKssvFmVJN_ERFedxaavvvumo_u7nuT5Q1GJgjaT3/s320/Bartesian.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dexas says that its <a href="https://dexas.com/products/iceology-2-count">ice-ology Clear Ice Cube
Trays</a> removes impurities and bubbles during the freezing process as the two
silicone molds separate in the freezing process to separate the clear ice from
the impurities below. The 2 Large Cubes option makes two oversized clear ice cubes that is slower melting and causes less dilution.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxepSEoYRPcdZgg1PZXmWRNwZ6oU01cKW-x3202pMeepTJ6IUmJGo-zRhlm0z7iL2qa761ZXgnAe1ibMymAEcm2o4vcssE096WHDQ1Pe0XAEX-RoZIXgYoqtu2e0ppLc-9-8AOndn0S55/s1600/Dexas+ice-ology.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxepSEoYRPcdZgg1PZXmWRNwZ6oU01cKW-x3202pMeepTJ6IUmJGo-zRhlm0z7iL2qa761ZXgnAe1ibMymAEcm2o4vcssE096WHDQ1Pe0XAEX-RoZIXgYoqtu2e0ppLc-9-8AOndn0S55/s320/Dexas+ice-ology.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chef’n introduced the <a href="https://www.chefn.com/new-slicestertm-watermelon.html">SLICESTER Watermelon
Tool</a>. The tool cubes and slices melons safely and quickly to make beautiful
watermelon garnishes for cocktails. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG17tGqQllVudUjc_wa5gUjSyrzw8aEGO29AVCec7IqlAxNA_NSaVpRY08YVTBbVzEhx1grjiLTkC090wrCOutT8h2IdMlTBPbcGTfPMnghouX68a5roXJMxSgG5VaDCIjvpIudRtS25sc/s1600/Chefn+Slicester.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG17tGqQllVudUjc_wa5gUjSyrzw8aEGO29AVCec7IqlAxNA_NSaVpRY08YVTBbVzEhx1grjiLTkC090wrCOutT8h2IdMlTBPbcGTfPMnghouX68a5roXJMxSgG5VaDCIjvpIudRtS25sc/s320/Chefn+Slicester.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the wine connoisseur</span></b><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For your wine drinking friends (with a large collection of expensive
wines) who like to have a glass at a time, Coravin introduced their latest
model - <a href="https://www.coravin.com/model-eleven.html">Coravin Model
Eleven</a>. The Coravin Model Eleven is the first Bluetooth connected and fully automatic Wine Preservation System. Coravin allows one drinkers to have a glass of wine from a bottle of without opening it and uses argon gas in its Coravin capsule to keep the wine preserved. You insert the Needle through the cork, tip the bottle, and automatically pour the wine. </span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="background: #f7f7f7; color: black;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zzIgoN4GM1uwSRjE6E0-fqJaZAg2yDlpcIowuYkH3GPjuXgj-dN8nYAQYYDahk0WqOoWOUloYGRP3xRfMwdyzs1lemCN_zQXeisrc-5QAmTxay5_B363HtANlEm4tnR2IIKGLDjAPCwy/s1600/Coravin+Model+Eleven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="422" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zzIgoN4GM1uwSRjE6E0-fqJaZAg2yDlpcIowuYkH3GPjuXgj-dN8nYAQYYDahk0WqOoWOUloYGRP3xRfMwdyzs1lemCN_zQXeisrc-5QAmTxay5_B363HtANlEm4tnR2IIKGLDjAPCwy/s320/Coravin+Model+Eleven.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="background: #f7f7f7; color: black;"><br /></span><span style="background: #F7F7F7;"></span></span>
<br />
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the craft beer drinker</span></b><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The active craft beer drinker may enjoy <a href="https://www.stanley-pmi.com/shop/classic-easy-pour-growler-64-oz">Stanley’s
Classic Easy-Pour Growler</a>. The 64 oz Classic Vacuum Growler has a rugged
handle for easy carrying and one-handed pouring. The wide mouth allows for fast
filling and easy cleaning. The growler can keep the beer cold for 24 hours with
is 18/8 stainless steel, double-wall vacuum insulation, and steel-lined
insulated lid.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0QzDhyphenhyphenTw0wi15UNHE4XiRvngscohWrNYEqsKO4XeG5y-pm0iC1fOU_SWxVnNw7xQBIHhmEEC9Wac0J0Of_tqEiBAi8GAkYR4mVU46Du435XpZ49TCzPZtJGOxy7VjTlWmea0iXmj-lRD/s1600/Stanley+growler.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0QzDhyphenhyphenTw0wi15UNHE4XiRvngscohWrNYEqsKO4XeG5y-pm0iC1fOU_SWxVnNw7xQBIHhmEEC9Wac0J0Of_tqEiBAi8GAkYR4mVU46Du435XpZ49TCzPZtJGOxy7VjTlWmea0iXmj-lRD/s320/Stanley+growler.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the person who doesn’t want to use disposable straws</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Critics of disposable plastic straws cite the statistic that
Americans use 500 million drinking straws a day. Restaurant chains are
beginning to switch to paper straws or eliminate them altogether as plastics in
oceans can harm the environment and kill aquatic sea life. Reusable straws can
make a nice stocking stuffer. Multiple companies at the show featured reusable
straws. </span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://asobubottle.com/products/re-usable-straws">ASOBU’s
Re-Usable Straws</a> are made of recyclable stainless steel and silicone. It
has a bendable silicone middle section. The accompanying silicone carry holder
has a holder strap. The company will donate 10% of the profits to the World Wildlife Fund. </span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="background: #e3e3e3; color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://alwaysfinaltouch.com/on-the-go/rs100-5.html#/39-packaging-giftbox/47-colour-sky_blue">GoSip
Multi-Use Straws</a> come in glass and stainless steel options and have a soft
sip tip. The straws have a silicone connector and can be adjusted from 4.5” to
6”, all the way to 10.5”. </span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jWyuJEifH1zLbBDTp6cHBmryH1xNIfqycHbStQY__NPCR8EZveSnDC8f-VY08b5PNDA2hUH3b49u-tvLaenQNcFQPIg50J8MSUkUmAQeOqCMn3R59e3ge4ueryeN3RJ4yBvVA6m8qufc/s1600/GoSip+straws.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jWyuJEifH1zLbBDTp6cHBmryH1xNIfqycHbStQY__NPCR8EZveSnDC8f-VY08b5PNDA2hUH3b49u-tvLaenQNcFQPIg50J8MSUkUmAQeOqCMn3R59e3ge4ueryeN3RJ4yBvVA6m8qufc/s320/GoSip+straws.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The <a href="https://www.myhotsips.com/">HotSips Eco-Friendly
Reusable Straws</a> are pre-washed 7.5” reusable straws and designed to be safely
used in hot or cold beverages. The dishwasher safe, made in USA straws are patent-pending,
recyclable, non-leaching, food-grade, and BPA-free and come in a petite travel
tube. In Small, Medium, and Large varieties.</span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-32365529054648198932019-10-29T07:10:00.002-05:002019-10-29T07:11:09.907-05:00Sweets & Snacks Trends for 2019<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">With
Halloween right around the corner, I wanted to write about sweets & snacks
trends that I observed at this year’s <a href="https://sweetsandsnacks.com/">Sweets & Snacks Expo</a> (popularly
known as The Candy Show) that took place in May at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
The trade show organized by the <a href="https://www.candyusa.com/">National
Confectioners Association</a> hosted over 800 companies offering candy,
chocolate, and snacks. The trends I observed: nut butters, keto friendly, flavor
duos, superfoods (cauliflower, mushrooms, and superfruits), and low sugar.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nut Butters</span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Childhood lunch favorite peanut butter is expanding
into the chocolate and snacks aisles. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">At the show, The J.M. Smucker
Company launched Jif Power Ups granola bars and soft baked bars with peanuts as
the first ingredient. You may remember the slogan, “choosy moms choose Jif”
peanut butter. The Hershey Company
relaunched its Take5 bar as Reese’s Take 5<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>so that consumers know
that peanut butter is one of the five layers in the bar – pretzels, caramel,
peanut butter, peanuts, and chocolate.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Mars Wrigley offered up its new Creamy Snickers bars with Peanut
Butter, Almond Butter, and Maple Almond Butter. The creamy nut butters replace
the peanuts in the classic Snickers bar. On the gourmet end, ChocXO Chocolatier
combined peanut butter with ruby cacao (a chocolate with fruity notes developed
by Barry Callebaut) in its PB & Ruby cups. Peanut puffs were offered by
Galil Foods, Perfect Life Nutrition, and popchips Inc. All three companies tout
protein (from 3.5 to 5g per bag) on the front of the packs while Perfect Life
Nutrition states that is a good source of fiber (3g per 1 oz bag) due to its
use of navy beans. Justin’s, known for its almond butters, introduced Almond
Butter Covered Cashews and Cashew Butter Covered Cashews at the show. They are
not in the photo because I did not receive a sample.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keto Friendly</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
Keto diet remains a favorite of dieters and keto friendly snack options were
plentiful at the show. Dang Foods Company offered its dang bars. The Cardamom
Chai dang bar is a 100% plant-based bar with 3g sugar, 5g net carbs, and 9g
protein. Fat Snax’s Double Chocolate Chip Cookies are low-carb, sugar-free, and
keto with 0g sugar, 2g net carbs, and 2g protein. The Good Fat Co offered a range of keto
friendly bars including a plant-based option. Its rich chocolatey almond bar
contains 2g sugar, 14g fats, and 9g protein. Krisp Nutrition’s Keto Krisp bars contain
5 net carbs, 10g protein, 2g sugar, 10g fiber, and MCT oil.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Double the Flavors</span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More
the merrier is the thinking behind sugar confectionery and chocolates that
combine two flavors in one. The Hershey Company’s KitKat Duos combine Mint +
Dark Chocolate Candies for a minty and crispy experience. Duoz from Endangered
Species Chocolate offers 2 flavors side by side such as Cinnamon Caramel +
Coffee Caramel. The Duoz are patent-pending, with the company donating 10
percent of net profits to save wildlife. Mars Wrigley’s Starburst Duos Fruit
Chews combine two flavors (blue raspberry + lemonade, strawberry + watermelon)
in one chew. Sour Patch Kids Heads from Mondelez Global offer 2 flavors in 1
soft & chewy candy that is 2x bigger than original Sour Patch Kids. The 2
in 1 flavor combos are pink lemonade + blue raspberry, pineapple + redberry,
and peach + orange. Jelly Belly’s new Recipe Mix features two flavors in every
bean. Fini Sweets Inc’s Fini Flip it! offers sweet and sour varieties in one
bag. The unique packaging provides two pouches inside one bag. The Fini Flip
it! Cinema Mix + Sour Little Mix features Cinema Mix on one side and Sour
Little Mix on the other side. The two candy mixes do not touch each other because
there is a plastic divider in the middle.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Superfoods</span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cauliflower,
dragon fruit, and mushrooms were some of the key “superfoods” highlighted at
the show. The inclusion of cauliflower is aimed at healthy snackers as the
high-fiber vegetable is being transformed into healthier pizza crusts and into
“rice”. Earthly Treats, Inc offered From The Ground Up Cauliflower Pretzels
made with cassava flour, cauliflower flour, and a vegetable blend powder
(spinach, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, beets and shitake mushrooms). BFY Brands
offered Popcorners Flourish Lightly Salted Veggie Crisps with Toasted
Cauliflower with Chickpeas, Rice & Yellow Peas. they are high in protein,
high in fiber, gluten free, low in fat, low in sugar, and vegan. Dragonfruit
was featured by EVOLVE Brands in its Supernola (chewy clusters of seeds, tree
nuts, and energizing superfoods) in a Dragonfruit Lemon Zest variety. The Asian
superfruit made its appearance in HI-CHEW candies from Morinaga America, Inc.
Tru Fru, LLC featured raspberries that have been picked ripe, frozen fresh, and
then freeze-dried before being immersed in dark chocolate. Deebee’s Organics
provided a healthy kids snack with its Superfruit Freezies that are USDA
Certified Organic and contain organic passionfruit juice concentrate and
organic mango puree. Ziba Foods LLC offered Ziba Afghan Dried White Hindu Kush
Mulberries that are sustainably sourced, an heirloom superfood, and nutrient
dense. The harvest and export of the white mulberries are dedicated to
improving the lives of women and farmers in Afghanisan. Mushrooms were
transformed into both jerky and snack bar formats by Shrooms Snacks. The
Shrooms Bars feature white mushrooms and crimini mushrooms alongside pumpkin
seeds, sunflower seeds, yellow roasted chickpeas, white quinoa puffs, and brown
flaxseeds.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Low
Sugar</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many
consumers want to reduce sugar consumption while still enjoying candies and chocolates.
A number of companies offered low sugar options at the show. Lily’s, one of the
best known companies in the low sugar chocolate space, showcased their Milk
Chocolate Style Peanut Butter Cups and Extra Dark Chocolate that are sweetened
with stevia extract and erythritol. SMARTSWEETS INC offered up its stevia leaf
extract-sweetened SMARTSWEETS Gummy Bears and new Peach Rings with 3g of sugar per
1.8 oz bag. The SMARTSWEETS are also high in fiber, with 28g of dietary fiber
from prebiotic soluble fiber from tapioca and chicory root fiber. Ross
Chocolates launched a Dark Chocolate Bar that is sugar free, sweetened with
stevia extract and erythritol, and no maltitol that is diabetic friendly and
keto diet friendly. Chocolette S.A. offered its RED Delight & Delicious
Milk Chocolate Hazelnut & Macadamia bar with no sugar added and 35% less
calories than regular milk chocolate with nuts. The RED bar is sweetened with
erythritol, stevia extract, and polydextrose. SkinnyMe Chocolate’s Sugar Free Belgian
Chocolate Mint variety is sweetend with erythritol and stevia extract.</span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-81378670756979238562019-05-06T07:59:00.000-05:002019-05-07T05:50:06.328-05:00A Look at the Upcoming 2019 Sweets & Snacks Expo<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The </span><a href="https://sweetsandsnacks.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sweets & Snacks Expo</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (popularly
known as The Candy Show) will be taking place on May 21 to 23 at Chicago’s
McCormick Place. The trade show organized by the <a href="https://www.candyusa.com/">National Confectioners Association</a> will
host over 800 companies offering candy, chocolate, and snacks. I will highlight
a few interesting companies that are scheduled to exhibit at the show. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrS8-QTum6HNcXUReMsYGEe18t20qUm0uiEWx6Z2JiASQSXDK_vHHg8TStI_I9XVKhs6aDCEFR3f5c9Cjv-myDf-12X5WF-qOQIXd7i4MyK4BKZhykKKUVpzAXhbZndNf6kRRKZUzJxs8i/s1600/Gummy+Fun+Mix_SSE18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrS8-QTum6HNcXUReMsYGEe18t20qUm0uiEWx6Z2JiASQSXDK_vHHg8TStI_I9XVKhs6aDCEFR3f5c9Cjv-myDf-12X5WF-qOQIXd7i4MyK4BKZhykKKUVpzAXhbZndNf6kRRKZUzJxs8i/s320/Gummy+Fun+Mix_SSE18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Bear Yoyos</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLFcgVUupZOHAB0iPuJa8nJl_6mohAWVvI8Q_jLlE6PUIryCOa5ssFn1OsT2Xl8kjwOxRPTIpMQzSrLftaHxODLTZbZ771kJinnt47_T0QkE6SUzpqi2PYc2wLsY1csMs2qubQ5NcXUHv/s1600/Bear+map_SSE18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLFcgVUupZOHAB0iPuJa8nJl_6mohAWVvI8Q_jLlE6PUIryCOa5ssFn1OsT2Xl8kjwOxRPTIpMQzSrLftaHxODLTZbZ771kJinnt47_T0QkE6SUzpqi2PYc2wLsY1csMs2qubQ5NcXUHv/s320/Bear+map_SSE18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.bearnibbles.us/yoyos">Bear</a>, “the UK’s #1 fruit snack”,
aims to appeal to parents and children with its real fruit rolls and colorful
packaging. The fruit rolls are made with no added sugar or fruit concentrates
and contain 1 cup of fruit in every pack. The Bear yoyos are gently baked, hand
cut into shapes, and hand rolled. The fruit rolls are Certified Gluten Free, kosher,
and Non -GMO Project Verified. Every pack contains an adventure card for
children to collect that offers information on one country including capital
city and how to say hello. The company sends customers a free adventure world
map and stickers after you send in 10 “bearcodes”.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Blake’s Seed Based</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsX_zzfvB8Q3gWKwkiBfnDBLtyxDaHGFL55A6bxgt2OzqNboHzOIvLsQBthmTNdSlByVkAHas4K5eWFfN7Fv2AzKokugbNgLYtzRIxbaHj4EM4x7iU1PIkGY5ySJs1Qw5hduBsz6qfBXNn/s1600/Blakes+Seed+Hatchery_Sep+2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsX_zzfvB8Q3gWKwkiBfnDBLtyxDaHGFL55A6bxgt2OzqNboHzOIvLsQBthmTNdSlByVkAHas4K5eWFfN7Fv2AzKokugbNgLYtzRIxbaHj4EM4x7iU1PIkGY5ySJs1Qw5hduBsz6qfBXNn/s320/Blakes+Seed+Hatchery_Sep+2018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I
first met Blake Sorensen (on the left) and Adam Root (on the right) of <a href="https://www.blakesseedbased.com/">Blake’s Seed Based</a> at a September
2018 <a href="https://thehatcherychicago.org/">The Hatchery Chicago</a> networking event. The Blake’s Seed Based snack bars
are free of The Top 8 allergens (tree nuts, peanuts, milk, eggs, soy, fish,
shellfish, wheat), are certified gluten-free, and use seeds (pumpkin,
sunflower, flax) to provide taste and nutrition. The pumpkin, sunflower, and
flax seeds provide health benefits including natural energy, antioxidants, bone
health, cardiovascular health, healthy fats, and fiber. Their new protein bars
contain pumpkin and sunflower seeds and pea protein to provide 15 grams of
protein.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Chomps </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjJiRRf5BuQoxJFnfxwrjfvHQLiv21x2N1Yl7Y7lJuefOZY5tAVitQ6Rt8UlCI2-6wjEbf9V6GqHJmTdwazfTh30p9piEDAcbsGEqHJDEYD0w0vUzL9-jCejY4WXNWJOQd3JtsJs3f2a6/s1600/Chomps+SSE18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjJiRRf5BuQoxJFnfxwrjfvHQLiv21x2N1Yl7Y7lJuefOZY5tAVitQ6Rt8UlCI2-6wjEbf9V6GqHJmTdwazfTh30p9piEDAcbsGEqHJDEYD0w0vUzL9-jCejY4WXNWJOQd3JtsJs3f2a6/s320/Chomps+SSE18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://chomps.com/">Chomps</a> is a maker of meat snacks that are Certified
Paleo, Certified Gluten Free, Whole30 Approved, Non -GMO Project Verified, Keto
Friendly, and Diabetic Friendly. The protein packed meat snacks contain a short
list of ingredients – sustainably sourced meat (grass-fed beef, free-range turkey, or free-range venison), fruits,
vegetables, celery juice, and spices. The meat snacks contain no added sugar, no
gluten, no fillers or binders, no soy, no dairy, no MSG, no nitrates or nitrites
added and no artificial preservatives and have 9 grams of protein.
Additionally, the snacks contain less salt than other commercially produced
jerky sticks.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Lebby Chickpea Snacks</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgk8uN_ViSsy2Zl21kTWGp2lRijHDtlaX2JyV6JHJj0fwB4R4nPMWXY6BeZJbZUF6GL_v-cY2nF4Qe_jLTqHUH69gnGOktUlhWI6zTcNQzdjPyTnX6DVbc1ZE5VlmNEPm6KoREVed-Bmp4/s1600/Lebbys+snacks+4+flavors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgk8uN_ViSsy2Zl21kTWGp2lRijHDtlaX2JyV6JHJj0fwB4R4nPMWXY6BeZJbZUF6GL_v-cY2nF4Qe_jLTqHUH69gnGOktUlhWI6zTcNQzdjPyTnX6DVbc1ZE5VlmNEPm6KoREVed-Bmp4/s320/Lebbys+snacks+4+flavors.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://lebbysnacks.com/">Lebby Chickpea Snacks</a> are aimed at healthy
snackers as they are high in protein, high in fiber, gluten free, low in fat,
low in sugar, and vegan. The snacks are also non-GMO and kosher. Inspired by a
childhood snack purchased from street sellers, the company uses an artisanal Mediterranean
recipe dating back over 500 years, and combines it with modern flavors. The
production process for the chickpea snacks is a long one: the chickpeas are dry
roasted three times, soaked in water, dry roasted again, and then cooled and flavored.
The flavors are Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Mocha, and Sesame Honey.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Morinaga America Inc</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5E6sGLBoWHfJ_e9yEyGxBf-_iGeZ3dWl3LVoiGYR5H0Fan09U3n4Xj-OU9QoBTs5_aLu2H4IwZs3sS_zwdGBxObRIIFV1TNSC6SObi1wWpMPykT5xIGa-ck-C4z7dy0sqKG6SsO9C4hWk/s1600/Hi-Chew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5E6sGLBoWHfJ_e9yEyGxBf-_iGeZ3dWl3LVoiGYR5H0Fan09U3n4Xj-OU9QoBTs5_aLu2H4IwZs3sS_zwdGBxObRIIFV1TNSC6SObi1wWpMPykT5xIGa-ck-C4z7dy0sqKG6SsO9C4hWk/s320/Hi-Chew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I
really like Morinaga’s <a href="https://www.hi-chew.com/story/">HI-CHEW</a> fruity,
chewy candy which are made with fruit juice and purees and are gluten-free. HI-CHEW
used to be difficult to find outside of Asian food stores and Cost Plus World
Market but they are now more widely available in the United States since the
company opened its first candymaking facility in the US – in North Carolina in
2015. The Acai flavor (which contains real chia seeds) was launched in May
2018. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Though
Morinaga is a Japanese company, the founder was influenced by his time living
in the United States. The founder, Taichiro Morinaga, moved from Japan to the US
at the age of 23 in 1888. A Good Samaritan gave him a piece of candy, which he
had never tasted during his improverished childhood. He learned how to make
candy in the US, moved back to Japan in 1899 and started selling candy from a
push cart. Success from the push cart leads to the establishment of the Morinaga
Western Confectionery Shop in Tokyo the creation of Morinaga & Company in
1918. In 2008, the company establishes Morinaga America, Inc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Morinaga
America Inc. had introduced HI-CHEW Cola & Orange Soda Fizzies offering “Incredibly
Real Soda Taste” in 2017. I can’t wait to see what new flavors they introduce
at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo.</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-54206520454568074042019-05-05T19:02:00.000-05:002019-05-05T19:02:13.994-05:00Chicago’s Twisted Alchemy Offers Cold-Pressed Juices for Foodservice Operators to Make Craft Cocktails<span style="color: #007000;"></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-djM-Rxuc_dIEj_FCYPnumCWvXGE0GxjNkp_zHTs-Akb67_2gALhfnAR2f_koglrnOMNCVZ1Rq0jKOV0bWHV0W5RxdsaBpW_W208Mmt4GjumRHM9Ow-U6UwIzhoxwNalL8TBTitee1WeM/s1600/Twisted+Alchemy_team.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-djM-Rxuc_dIEj_FCYPnumCWvXGE0GxjNkp_zHTs-Akb67_2gALhfnAR2f_koglrnOMNCVZ1Rq0jKOV0bWHV0W5RxdsaBpW_W208Mmt4GjumRHM9Ow-U6UwIzhoxwNalL8TBTitee1WeM/s320/Twisted+Alchemy_team.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Scott Holstein (far right) and the Twisted Alchemy team at their office</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I had the
pleasure of meeting Scott Holstein, co-founder of </span><a href="https://www.twistedalchemy.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Twisted Alchemy</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, a maker
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">curated, cold-pressed juice for craft
cocktails<span style="background: black;">™</span></i>, at the
inaugural </span><a href="http://naturallychicago.org/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Naturally Chicago</span></a> (<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a program by <a href="https://familyfarmed.org/">FamilyFarmed</a>) breakfast
held on May 3 at the </span><a href="https://www.lyfekitchen.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">LYFE
Kitchen</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> on 413 North Clark Street. Scott and his wife Kim Oster-Holstein previously
co-founded </span><a href="http://kimandscotts.com/products/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kim &
Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> before selling the company to J&J Snack
Foods Corp. in 2012. Twisted Alchemy will be exhibiting at the </span><a href="https://www.nationalrestaurantshow.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">National Restaurant Association’s 100<sup>th</sup>
annual Restaurant Show</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> in the BAR (Beverage Alcohol for Restaurants)
Show pavilion to be held from May 18 to 21 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. I had
the chance to try some cocktails made with Twisted Alchemy juices and </span><a href="http://g4tequila.life/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">G4 tequila</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> at a Cinco de Mayo event held at
their office in the Apparel Center.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjdIo356otonYmh7s_4X6HQ_y_dlr7pOr-Vxal2K-3DwcHwLL4YF5NY0pQAWPCnJ75nO9fcFk55y16Gu0Ju9RvJr3UqW1o2SqE5GV3gCa6DEiOFfJj1vAs2fdFKejqbVu9MsBm2Nnlico/s1600/Twisted+Alchemy_Julianna+and+Kirby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjdIo356otonYmh7s_4X6HQ_y_dlr7pOr-Vxal2K-3DwcHwLL4YF5NY0pQAWPCnJ75nO9fcFk55y16Gu0Ju9RvJr3UqW1o2SqE5GV3gCa6DEiOFfJj1vAs2fdFKejqbVu9MsBm2Nnlico/s320/Twisted+Alchemy_Julianna+and+Kirby.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julianna and Kirby making cocktails for the Cinco de Mayo tasting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">How do the co-founders of Kim
& Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels enter the cocktails arena?</span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You
may be wondering like I did, how do the co-founders of a Chicago pretzels
company, get into the business of producing juices for bars and restaurants. It
turns out that Kim and Scott have a lot of experience making margaritas. </span><span style="color: #111821; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After college, Scott</span><span style="color: #111821; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
bartended at a Tex-Mex restaurant in Paris. With birthdays two days apart in
May, </span><span style="color: #111821; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kim and Scott celebrate
with a Mexican fiesta with tacos and craft margaritas, requiring a lot of fresh
lime juice. They were always looking for fresh lime juice. Scott came up with a
solution for fresh lime juice that offers a great tasting lime juice that is
not heat-treated or contains sugars and preservative</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #111821; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAWMnYvgIpfZv0dBdQRVJWT3TGedTIp0FD0Rc1PRk2J65knVE8j_2ET3pYtZJIUTrDyNMa1JnFopHhtlFbTkX2UWmkHUqZQuCELMceNh6xntjIpcX9cMoMcY6WvCmuf-S_VlOSqV7j-tI/s1600/Twisted+Alchemy_grapefruit+margarita.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAWMnYvgIpfZv0dBdQRVJWT3TGedTIp0FD0Rc1PRk2J65knVE8j_2ET3pYtZJIUTrDyNMa1JnFopHhtlFbTkX2UWmkHUqZQuCELMceNh6xntjIpcX9cMoMcY6WvCmuf-S_VlOSqV7j-tI/s320/Twisted+Alchemy_grapefruit+margarita.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grapefruit margarita made with Twisted Alchemy's ruby red grapefruit juice and G4 Tequila</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">An alternative to juicing fruits
on-premise</span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgAZk66WGa2SRE0y8yq7m1ELqkcsuHeUiUEng9Rrw349lK5rSMV-xjzQC4j7k2REAt12kQk1RpUg3y2bolx3IlTPdKx2TWAoME6gEueaOYeAzFwZHj_rmEzqwy1899SOB3QAScDIS4C6_/s1600/Twisted+Alchemy_3+juices.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgAZk66WGa2SRE0y8yq7m1ELqkcsuHeUiUEng9Rrw349lK5rSMV-xjzQC4j7k2REAt12kQk1RpUg3y2bolx3IlTPdKx2TWAoME6gEueaOYeAzFwZHj_rmEzqwy1899SOB3QAScDIS4C6_/s320/Twisted+Alchemy_3+juices.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twisted Alchemy's cold-pressed Lemon, Watermelon and Orange juices</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #111821; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #111821; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #111821; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With the rise of the
craft cocktail movement, Scott says that “customers want the same quality level
at restaurants as well at home”. Cocktail lovers want handcrafted cocktails
with the taste of freshly squeezed juice. However, juicing fruits at the bar or
restaurant takes up staff time, is messy, and may lead to inconsistent quality.
The Twisted Alchemy line of fresh cold-pressed juices use the </span><a href="https://www.hiperbaric.com/en/hpp"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">HPP
(high pressure processing) technology</span></a><span style="color: #111821; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> to offer delicious taste and 90 to 120 days (depending on the
variety) of refrigerated shelf life without the use of heat pasteurization or
preservatives. The not from concentrate juices are free from added sugars and
GMOs. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #111821; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="color: #111821; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;">Additionally, the Twisted Alchemy line of juices offer consistent Brix
and noted pH levels as well as consistent yield (no more worries about dry
limes or lemons). The front of each juice label states the Brix (sweetness) measurement
so that mixologists can get the same sweetness level every time they make a
cocktail. Twisted Alchemy offers a line of eight juices: Persian limes (25 limes are used in each 750ml bottle), Lemon, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Watermelon, Orange, Key Lime, and Blood Orange.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sustainability through use of “ugly fruit” and composting</span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black;">Twisted
Alchemy has a number of initiatives to promote sustainability. The juice
producer uses so called “ugly fruit” because the company is selecting fruits
for ripeness and juice quality, not for appearance. The company composts 100%
of its curated produce. In January 2019, its manufacturing facility began a
composting program for its juice waste. The company’s bottles are made of 25%
post-consumer recycled material. Its plastics are made of PET (polyethylene
terephthalate), the most widely recycle plastic in the world. The company packs
juices shipped direct in environmentally friendly packaging material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This will be the company’s third appearance at the National
Restaurant Association Show and the first under the Twisted Alchemy name. In January 2019, the company changed its name from Industry Juice to Twisted Alchemy.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-klI21PIGDgNfKyAMaEdG7IbZgY-geu4f-YIjTUED3Y_nJ7qUd8BVu06M0oIpKGeVFfvEap21dD-V3KpYxdv3_svlV8wNiTMdbAhAYgXB4jZz-USU3-R4ZHGhckrxeo-JTeeebqETazL/s1600/Twisted+Alchemy_G4+tequila+and+juice+bottles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-klI21PIGDgNfKyAMaEdG7IbZgY-geu4f-YIjTUED3Y_nJ7qUd8BVu06M0oIpKGeVFfvEap21dD-V3KpYxdv3_svlV8wNiTMdbAhAYgXB4jZz-USU3-R4ZHGhckrxeo-JTeeebqETazL/s320/Twisted+Alchemy_G4+tequila+and+juice+bottles.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G4 tequilas were used in the cocktails at the event</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-47301662574534325332018-05-03T21:17:00.000-05:002018-05-04T07:08:22.271-05:00Coffee at the 2018 Housewares Show<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
abundance of coffee makers (and samples) made it easy to stay caffeinated at
the International Home + Housewares Show held by the International Housewares Association
which took place from March 10 to 13 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. In this
article, I will highlight celebrity baristas and speedy cold brew coffee. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Celebrity baristas
</span></span></b></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Celebrity chefs such as Cat Cora, Emeril Lagasse, Ming Tsai, and
Rick Bayless are a big presence at the show as they demonstrate their culinary
skills at the cooking theater and welcome attendees at vendor booths. This
year, there was a bigger presence of baristas at the show as coffee maker
companies seek to position their coffee makers as producing barista-quality,
craft coffee, just like at their favorite specialty coffee shop.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Brim</span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">U.S. Brewers Cup Finalist Blair Smith demonstrated Sensio Inc’s
new Brim line of manual and electric coffee makers as the brand’s resident
coffee expert and ambassador. Some of you may remember Brim as a General Foods decaffeinated
coffee brand and its “Fill it to the rim with…Brim” TV slogan from the 1960s-80s
before it disappeared from shelves. Brim’s new owner has reimagined Brim as a
craft coffee brand with the collection including <span style="color: #3b3b3b; margin: 0px;">a
pour over coffee kit with 30-ounce glass decanter, smart valve cold brew
coffeemaker with patented integrated smart valve, an automatic 8-cup pour over
coffeemaker with brew pulse technology, and a conical burr grinder.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Gourmia</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY8sU4s4UpkFHzwKjoBniWATWFRibgtgIH1zCi9YKz1GIIg5wA-Lgs6FtwCjGANZqXTdT2h5at5X6BLVYp8JNF9uSetIL1YRglWxkIaP5wLZ46ABvqQmr6bN7HFIRg2kiv3aslG50FZgw/s1600/Gourmia+Erika+Vonie+Eric+Grimm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY8sU4s4UpkFHzwKjoBniWATWFRibgtgIH1zCi9YKz1GIIg5wA-Lgs6FtwCjGANZqXTdT2h5at5X6BLVYp8JNF9uSetIL1YRglWxkIaP5wLZ46ABvqQmr6bN7HFIRg2kiv3aslG50FZgw/s320/Gourmia+Erika+Vonie+Eric+Grimm.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Coffee Masters NYC Champion Erika Vonie prepared cortados, espressos,
pour over coffee, and more at the Gourmia booth. Gourmia showed its Gourmia
GCM3350 IoT (Internet of Technology) coffee maker, “the world’s first automatic
pour-over coffee maker can be integrated with both Google Home and Amazon Alexa”.
<span style="color: #373737; margin: 0px;">The company has “created a unique planetary pouring
pattern, perfected the blooming process, and mastered the temperature control”
to replicate a barista’s</span> expertise for the home kitchen. Erika and I chatted
about specialty coffee while Eric Grimm made unicorn coffee and activated
charcoal coffee using coffee from Counter Culture for me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hario</span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Japanese barista Hiroshi Sawada, World Latte Art champion, did not
appear at the Hario booth but I am hoping that Hario invites him to the show
next year. I had the pleasure of meeting Sawada at the grand opening of his
Sawada coffee shop (in collaboration with Hogsalt Hospitality) in Chicago. Hario
is best known for its Hario V60 coffee drippers. They also showed siphon coffee
makers, cold brew coffee bottles, and cold brew tea bottles at the show. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">KitchenAid</span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Andreas Willhoff, Director of Education for Halfwit Coffee
Roasters, General Manager of The Wormhole Coffee, and co-author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Craft Coffee: A
Manual</i>, demonstrated KitchenAid’s line of craft coffee makers including new
Precision Gooseneck Kettles that have a gooseneck spout and three flow-rate
settings and a brew range thermometer in the lid along with a Precision French Press
that comes with an integrated scale & timer and a larger size Cold Brew
Coffee Maker.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nespresso</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Brian Leonard, “Barista Brian”, has created latte art for
celebrities at events such as the Sundance Film Festival and Toronto Film
Festival. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At the Housewares Show, Brian created
custom latte art at the Nespresso booth with an overhead camera capturing his
every move. The company showcased its new <span style="color: #444444; margin: 0px;">De’Longhi Lattissima One Single-Serve Cappuccino and
Latte Nespresso Machine and offered a digital tour of its coffee production
process through virtual reality headsets</span>.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Speedy cold
brew coffee</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Americans are embracing cold brew coffee as it provides a
smoother, less bitter taste than traditional iced coffee that is made from hot-brewed
coffee. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But not everyone likes the idea
of steeping ground coffee beans in water for 12+ hours. A number of exhibitors
showcased cold brew coffee makers that reduce the brewing time to under an
hour. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #222222; margin: 0px;">Cuisinart’s Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker uses
spinning action </span><span style="margin: 0px;">to extract flavor from coffee grounds and make cold brew coffee in
about 25 – 45 minutes. The machine makes 7 cups of cold brew coffee, with a
choice of three settings – mild (25 minutes), medium (35 minutes) and bold (45
minutes). Gourmia‘s GCM 6800 Cold Brew Coffee Maker claims that its new cold
brew coffee machine can “vacuum cold brew in just 2 minutes”. Storebound’s Dash
Rapid Cold Brew System has a brewing time of 5 minutes. The machine uses
ColdBoil technology to make 42 ounces of cold brew. </span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-3129799524944247372017-11-18T15:10:00.000-06:002017-12-01T10:13:24.004-06:00Key Food & Beverage Trends Seen at the 2017 PLMA Show<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Private
Label Manufacturers Association hosted its annual PLMA Show from November 12-14,
2017 in Rosemont, Illinois. Over 1,500 companies from more than 50 countries
exhibited at the show. In this article, I will highlight noteworthy trends in
foods and drinks that I saw at the show – cauliflower “rice” and pizzas,
seaweed snacks, premium fruit snacks, coconuts everywhere, cold brew RTD
coffee, and functional coffee. </span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cauliflower Was the “It” Vegetable at the Show</span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cauliflower
was the star vegetable at the show as companies used it in multiple formats to address
consumers’ desires to reduce carbohydrate consumption and eat more vegetables. The
vitamin C-rich, cruciferous vegetable is also naturally gluten-free. Health
conscious consumers have been transforming cauliflower into “rice” by using a
food processor and making pizza crusts out of cauliflower. Offering cauliflower
“rice” and pizzas allows food companies to provide a quicker option for
shoppers. At the show, Italy’s Emilia Foods SRL offered Via Emilia Riced Cauliflower,
Cauliflower Risotto With Parmesan Cheese & Sea Salt, Mashed Cauliflower
& Garlic, and Cauliflower Veggie Tots in a frozen format. Venice Baking
Company is one of the largest suppliers of gluten-free pizza crusts to the
restaurant industry. The company offered gluten-free Cauliflower Pizza Crust
and a Broccoli Pizza Crust. Roncadin S.p.A., an Italian frozen pizza maker,
offered up Monteli gluten-free Cauliflower 4 Cheese Pizza and Cauliflower
Margherita Pizza. Italy's Topan offered Cauliflower Pizza Kits that contain 400g of cauliflower based dough, 300g of tomato sauce, and 100g of mozzarella cheese to make a pizza for two people. </span></span><span style="font-family: calibri;">Columbia Fruit offered frozen Organic Multi-Colored
Cauliflower that contains four different colors of USDA Organic cauliflower.
Belgium’s Crop’s Vegetables NV offered Rice Vegetables that include
cauliflower.</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Seaweed Snacks</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Having
been born in South Korea, I have been eating seaweed my entire life. Koreans regularly
eat <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gim</i> (dried seaweed sheets that
are flame/pan-roasted and seasoned with oil and salt) as a side dish with rice
at meals. In contrast, Americans rarely eat seaweed unless they are eating
California rolls or other rolls wrapped in seaweed. Things are changing as kids
in Generation Z (born 2001 – present) are embracing ethnic foods including
seaweed as a snack. Numerous South Korean companies offered seaweed snacks at
the show as a healthy, low-calorie snack. Yemat Foods offered USDA Organic
Roasted Seaweed Snacks that only contain organic seaweed, organic sunflower
oil, and sea salt with 30 calories for a 0.18oz single-serve pack. <span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Under its C-Weed Snack brand, Yemat Foods also
offered 20-calorie packs in Bulgogi and Wasabi flavors that are “Great for Kid’s
Lunch Box”, Seaweed Crunch With Almonds, and Seaweed Crunch With Coconut. </span>Gim Factory Inc
promotes its TrueSea All Natural Premium Roasted Seaweed Snacks as gluten free,
vegan, kosher certified, and non-GMO. WooBo offered Artisan Crafted Onion Sea
Tangle Crunch made with glutinous rice flour, seaweed, rice bran oil, onion,
sea salt, and turmeric powder with 120 calories per 0.88oz serving. Companies
are also incorporating seaweed in other snack products. Snak King offered Nori
Sesame Cassava Popped Chips.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Premium Fruit Snacks</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">There is
growing demand for snacks that are minimally processed and contain no or minimum
added sugar. Exhibitor SunOpta promoted premium fruit snacks with a sale sheet
that stated that the $116 million premium fruit snacks category has grown by
14.7% over the last five years according to Nielsen data. SunOpta offers fruit
strips, fruit twists, and fruit bits that contain no artificial flavors, no
synthetic colors, or high fructose corn syrup. </span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Multiple
companies offered premium fruit snacks at the show. Pocas International Corp
sampled Pocas Premium Dragon Fruit Chips in White and Red varieties. Pocas
states that dragon fruit is a superfood that can help with digestion, speed up
metabolism, and reduce inflammation. Natural Sourcing International, LLC also
offered white and red dragon chips. Baobab Foods offered BaoBites Superfruit Snacks that are
made from organic African baobab fruit. The company says that the baobab fruit
is more nutritious than other dried fruits in terms of antioxidant ORAC value,
vitamin C, total fiber, and potassium. Ecuador’s Produtankay Cia. Ltda. offered
Golden Sweet Sprit Natural Superfood Berry Snack featuring Golden Berries. The
company states that Golden Berries are higher in fiber than raisins, dates and
blueberries; contain more antioxidants than green tea; and more potassium and
vitamin C than most dried fruits. Continuing with the superfruit theme, You
Love Fruit Inc offered You Love Fruit Handmade Fruit Leather in Pomberry Acai
that uses organic acai pulp and organic pomegranate juice, in addition to
organic mango pulp. The USDA Organic Fruit Leathers contain 2g of fiber in a
0.5 oz serving through the use of organic artichoke fiber. </span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Targeted towards
children was Denmark’s Scandic Foods A/S offered Robinson’s Fruit Shoot Fruit
that can count as one of a ‘5 a day” fruit or vegetable. The product is aimed to
appeal to children by licensing Robinson’s Fruit Shoot, the number one
children’s soft drink in the UK, while reassuring parents with no added sugar
or artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. <span style="margin: 0px;">Other
premium fruit snacks at the show included Freeze-Dried Fruit Crisps made with
Fuji apples from Brothers International Food Corp., Paradise Meadow Organic
Premium Dried Cranberries from Decas Cranberry Products, Inc; and Sweet Valley
Organics Tart Cherries Organic Dark Chocolate Snack Bites from Mount Franklin
Foods.</span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Coconut Everywhere</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Coconut
was everywhere at the show in food and beverage formats. Laughing Giraffe
Organics LLC offered Snackaroons in multiple flavors including Chocolate and
Salted Caramel. Snackaroons are dehydrated coconut macaroon styled cookies that
are USDA Organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher. ONA Cookies from Tribe 9
Foods uses organic coconut oil in Certified Paleo cookies that are free of
gluten, grains, dairy, and soy. C<span style="margin: 0px;">oconut
oil sales have increased in the U.S. and benefited from the growing popularity
of Bulletproof coffee and butter coffees that combine brewed coffee with ghee
(clarified butter) and coconut oil or MCT oil. Beneficial Blends, LLC offered
Kelapo Extra Virgin Coconut Oil that is USDA Organic and fair for life Fair
Trade. The Kelapo Coconut Oil and Ghee single-serve 0.5 oz packets are designed
to be mixed into coffee “For Added Energy & Focus”. Carrington Farms offered USDA Organic Coconut Oil and Coconut Oil & Ghee as well as a Premium MCT LIquid Coconut Oil designed to be mixed into coffee and smoothies. The company states that medium chain triglycerides (MCT) are efficiently utilized by the body for energy production and helps in calorie burning". Exhibitor Mementa Inc focuses
on coconut and natural food products by selling everything from USDA Organic
coconut oil to coconut flour, coconut sugar, and toasted coconut chips to
coconut milk and coconut water.</span></span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">On the
beverage front, multiple companies offered coconut water. The Vietnam Harvest
Company Co., Ltd provided Sparkling Coconut Water in addition to Organic
Coconut Cooking Oil. Copra offered a line of USDA Organic products - 100% Pure
Coconut Water and Organic Coconut Smoothie made with 100% Young Coconut Water
& Coconut Meat alongside Frozen Coconut Meat Smoothie Packs. Jasper
Products offered CoconutSense Coconut Milk in both USDA Organic and non-organic
varieties.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Companies are adding fruit
juice to coconut to provide more flavor variety. Ace Farm Holdings had their
Ace Farm Coconut Drink line that combines water, sugar, nata de coco, and
natural coconut flavor. Nata de coco, also known as coconut jelly, is produced
by the fermentation of coconut water. WooBo Coconut Fizz mixed sparkling
coconut water (not from concentrate) with fruit juice and no added sugar.</span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cold Brew Coffee</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Numerous
companies offered cold brew RTD (ready-to-drink) coffee at the show to
participate in the fast-growing cold brew coffee category. Demand for cold brew
coffee is rising because the process of steeping coffee grounds in cold water
for 10+ hours creates a coffee with a smoother, less bitter taste. Heartland
Food Products Group offered its JAVA HOUSE Cold Brew Coffee Co. in both shelf-stable
concentrate and RTD bottle formats. The JAVA HOUSE RTD bottles came in
Colombian Black, Coffee Cold Brew Frappe, and Vanilla Cold Brew Frappe
varieties. At the Trilliant Food & Nutrition, LLC ’s booth, its Horseshoe Beverage
Co. division offered a variety of shelf-stable RTD coffees including cold brew,
latte, and energy beverages. Berner Food & Beverage’s shelf-stable RTD
coffee included cold brew, iced lattes, coffee energy, and coffee nutrition.
Gehl Foods, LLC and Steam Punk’d Roasters Ltd. both offered shelf-stable cold
brew coffee. On the concentrate end, Synergy Flavors, Inc offered a wide
variety of options to meet different price points including a premium 100% Cold
Brew Coffee Concentrate and a Standard Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate with
Synergy Pure Coffee Concentrate and coffee solubles. For the do-it-yourselfer, Pod
Pack International, Ltd offered Cold Brew One pods that contain ground coffee
in a micro-mesh filter. The Cold Brew One pods are designed to make a single
12oz serving at home with no mess in a glass in 8 to 12 hours.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Functional Coffee </span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;">The popularity
of RTD coffee energy drinks such as Java Monster (from Monster Beverage Corp.) and
Starbucks Doubleshot Energy Coffee Drink that blend coffee with energy-boosting
ingredients like guarana and ginseng has led companies to offer private label
varieties. Berner and Trilliant Food & Nutrition offered coffee energy
varieties while Strategy & Execution Inc offered a 15oz RTD Espresso that
contains 13g of protein. NuZee, Inc fused cold brew and functional benefits in
its new line of Coffee Blenders shelf-stable RTD Cold Brew coffees – LEAN,
THINK, RELAX, and ACTIVE. The THINK variety contains 200mg of American ginseng to
enhance mental clarity and concentration while the LEAN variety contains 400mg
of green coffee bean extract to promote weight loss. Coffee Blenders also offered
its line of functional coffees in a Drip Cup Pour Over format and whole bean
coffee format. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;">Trilliant Food & Nutrition’s </span><span style="color: #363636; margin: 0px;">Wellnova Consumer Healthcare division offered functional coffee
packaged in capsules to be used in the single-serve coffee Keurig Brewers. Wellnova’s
functional coffee pods are designed to offer health benefits without the
disadvantages of taking pills or vitamin gummies. Its Café Complete Coffee
& Protein variety is a 2-item pack, with a coffee pod and a separate protein
packet with 10g of collagen protein. Other functional coffee pods in the line include
Immune (with Wellmune immune support), Fiber (8g of prebiotic fiber), and
Vitamin (12 vitamins and minerals).</span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"></span><br />
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Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-74193312847367732352017-11-06T16:34:00.003-06:002017-11-07T09:40:20.311-06:00Top Food Trends Seen at 2017 NACS Show<br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">The
National Association of Convenience Stores hosted its NACS Show from October 17
- 20, 2017 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. In this article, I will highlight
noteworthy trends in foods that I saw at the show – protein cookies &
brownies, meat snacks innovation, and spicy notes. I previously wrote an
article on <a href="http://www.virginiaalee.com/2017/10/top-non-alcoholic-drinks-trends-seen-at.html">non-alcoholic drinks trends from the show</a>. </span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Protein Cookies & Brownies</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Sales of protein
bars are growing as they are consumed by a wide group of consumers beyond
athletes and bodybuilders to busy consumers looking to add more protein to
their diet as either a snack or a meal replacement product. <a href="http://www.drugstorenews.com/sites/drugstorenews.com/files/OTC_VMS_061917.pdf">Dollar sales of nutritional/intrinsichealth value bars grew by 3.4% to reach $2.4 billion for the 52 weeks ended April 16, 2017 in total U.S. multi-outlets according to data from Information Resources, Inc. (IRI).</a> To build on the popularity of protein bars and expand
the number of eating occasions, companies are creating better tasting products
that offer the convenience and high protein content of snack bars in a more
indulgent (albeit, a higher-calorie and sugar) format. A number of exhibitors
offered protein cookies, brownies, and cakes that offer 12+g of protein per package.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Amplify
Snack Brands, Inc extended its OATMEGA protein bar brand made with grass-fed
whey protein into Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, and White Chocolate Macadamia
cookies. The Chocolate Chip OATMEGA Cookie contains 12g of protein, 330
calories, 12g of sugar, 10g of fiber, and DHA & EPA Omega-3s in 2.8oz
cookie. Lenny & Larry’s, LLC offered their Complete Cookie which contains 16g
of vegan protein (pea protein, rice protein, vital wheat gluten), 400 calories,
24g of sugar, and 10g fiber in a 4oz cookie in flavors such as Double Chocolate
and Snickerdoodle. Honest Kitchens, LLC offered its Bake City COOKIE + PROTEIN
whose vegan Espresso Dark Chocolate variety contains 22g of protein (from faba
beans), 440 calories, 36g of sugar, and 6g of fiber in a 4oz cookie. Protein
bar maker Quest Nutrition showed their Quest Protein Cookies at the show. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The display for the Quest Protein Cookies
touted 15g of protein, 3g of sugar, and 12g of fiber per cookie, with the
nutritional information varying by flavor. Nature’s Bounty Co’s MET-RX sports
nutrition brand offered its MET-RX High Protein Chocolate Fudge Brownie with
24g of protein (soy protein, whey protein, egg white, and milk protein), 300
calories, and 18g of sugar in a 2.8oz brownie. Another high protein brownie was
offered by Robert Irvine’s FIT CRUNCH. The FIT CRUNCH Whey Protein Brownie was
developed by celebrity chef Robert Irvine and contains 15g protein, 5g sugar,
and 190 calories. ThinkThin, LLC, a maker of protein bars, cereal, and powders;
introduced the ThinkThin Protein Cakes with 12g of protein (milk protein, whey
protein), 170 calories, and only 1g of sugar in a 1.48oz package. ThinkThin
offers a dessert substitute through flavors of Birthday Cake, Chocolate Cake,
and Red Velvet but minimizes sugar through the use of stevia leaf and monk
fruit extracts.</span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Meat Snacks Innovation</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Beef jerky
has long been a convenience store staple as it offers a convenient,
shelf-stable form of protein for workers, hikers, and fishermen. <a href="https://www.cstoredecisions.com/2017/07/12/protein-powered-profits/#_">Dollar sales of dried meat snacks grew by 2.9% in convenience stores in the 52 weeks ended May 14, 2017 according to data from IRI</a>. Today’s meat snacks are going beyond
beef jerky and becoming more upscale and incorporating other ingredients
including cheese. Demand for premium meat jerky, meat bars, and meat sticks has
grown as a high-protein, minimally processed snack for health conscious men and
women, boosted by the popularity of the Paleo diet and a desire for fewer,
simpler ingredients in foods. Additionally, the idea of eating meat as a snack
has been boosted by Kraft’s 2014 launch of refrigerated Oscar Mayer P3 Portable
Protein Packs that combine Oscar Mayer Selects meats, Kraft natural cheeses,
and Planters nuts. </span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Meat
snacks exhibitors at the NACS Show showcased new sticks and meat snack
packs that incorporate nuts and cheese. Individually wrapped meat sticks offer
better portion control than meat jerky in resealable pouches. Organic Prairie,
part of the Organic Valley organic dairy family, offered its Mighty Meat Sticks
made with 100% Grassfed Beef that is USDA Certified Organic. Conagra Brands introduced
new Slim Jim Premium Smoked Sticks that use either grass-fed 100% beef or 100%
premium pork that is raised without hormones. Chef’s Cut Real Jerky, owned by
Halen Brands, Inc, introduced new Turkey Pepperoni Real Snack Sticks with 60
calories, 2g fat, and 9g protein. Oberto Brands launched new Pepperoni Jerky
and Sticks. Link Snacks, Inc added Beef Sticks (made with 100% grass-fed beef) to its premium Lorissa’s
Kitchen line that is geared towards women. Perky Jerky offered Beef (made with 100% grass-fed beef) and Turkey Sticks that are claimed to be "59% leaner than traditional sticks". Perky Jerky's sale sheet highlighted that it is targeting M3 = Millennial Moms With Money will drive current and future category growth". </span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">The
popularity of meat & cheese snack packs is prompting companies to introduce
shelf-stable varieties of meat & cheese/nut plates. Chef’s Cut Real Jerky showed
shelf-stable Protein Packs that combine its meat jerky with dehydrated cheese
(using a patented process) in its Real Steak Jerky – Original Recipe &
Cheddar Cheese variety. Link Snacks Inc created Lorissa’s Kitchen Combos that
combine meat jerky, nuts, and dried fruit in varieties such as Moroccan Market.
Kraft Heinz introduced a shelf-stable variety of its refrigerated P3 Portable
Protein Pack under the Planters brand that includes Planters peanuts, meat
jerky, and sunflower seeds. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Adding nuts and fruits also allows
companies to reach consumers who are not fans of meat snacks as these provide
more textural and flavor variety. Oberto Brands introduced its Trail Mix with
Original Beef Jerky that includes nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and dark chocolate pieces
at the 2016 NACS Show.<span style="background: white; margin: 0px;"> The latest innovation in meat jerky is the PowerBar Jerky & Nut Bar from Premier Nutrition Corporation that appears aimed at consumers who want the high protein content of a protein bar but without a lot of sugar or any artificial sweeteners. The sale sheet for the PowerBar Jerky & Nut Bar states: "Real Jerky. Real Nuts. Really a Bar. 10g of Protein. Made with 100% American Beef. No Artificial Sweeteners". The sale sheet did not list the sugar content of the PowerBar. Also offering flavor and texture variety was the Farmer's Pantry line of meat with crisps. The United Snacks of America line included Chicken & Waffle Crisps (made with chicken breast), Bacon & Cornbread, and Steak & Frites (beef jerky & French fry crisps).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">On the
refrigerated side, Kraft Heinz, Hormel Foods Corporation, and Tyson introduced new
meat & cheese plates at the show. Kraft Heinz showed new Oscar Mayer
Natural Meat & Cheese Plates (with meat, cheese, and whole wheat crackers)
and new Oscar Mayer P3 Protein Plates (with meat, cheese, and dried berries).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Hormel introduced its Hormel Natural Choice snacks
that are made for on-the-go snacking with meat, cheese, and dark
chocolate-covered treat. Tyson extended its Hillshire Farm Small Plates line to
include varieties with Beef and Pork Cuts. The small plates are inspired by
wine & spirit flavors and include seasoned beef or pork and cheese in Smoky
Bourbon, Whiskey & Brown Sugar, and Apple Chardonnay varieties.</span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Plant-Based and Vegan Options</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">There was
no shortage of beef jerky, fried chicken, hot dogs, and sausage pizza at the
show. At the same time, there were quite a number of companies offering
plant-based foods to capitalized on the growing interest in plant-based foods
due to ethical and health reasons. On the high protein end of vegan foods were EVOLVE and
OWYN. CytoSport Holdings, Inc, owned by Hormel Foods Corporation, offered both
its dairy-based MUSCLE MILK and its new EVOLVE plant-based protein brands at
the show. The company offered EVOLVE ready-to-drink Protein Shakes made with
10-11 ingredients including 20g of pea protein, Protein Powder, and Protein
Bars. Another clean label protein shake at the show was Halen Brands, Inc’s
OWYN (Only What You Need) line. OWYN offered its line of Ready-To-Drink Shakes
that contain 20g of plant-based protein from pea, pumpkin, and flaxseeds per
12oz serving. Vega, the maker of vegan protein powders and snack bars owned by
Danone, offered Vega Protein + Snack Bars that are certified vegan and contain
10-11g of plant-based protein from peas, rice starch, brown rice, and hemp
seeds. Premier Nutrition Corporation who introduced the PowerBar Jerky &
Nut Bar at the show also sampled its PowerBar Plant Protein bars that contain
10g of protein from cashews, pea protein, rice flour, rice protein, pumpkin
seeds, and cashew butter. Nature Delivered Inc, owner of the graze snacks and snack subscription box program, offered its Veggie Protein Power variety with 9g of protein from edamame beans, spicy chickpeas & black pepper cashews.</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">There were
a number of vegan options geared toward the light snacking occasion with 5g or
less of protein. Tofu producer House Foods sampled its refrigerated GO UMAMI
Baked Tofu Bars that contain 5g of protein. GLK Foods, LLC offered GoBitos
seasoned roasted chickpeas that have 5g of protein per 1oz serving. Rhythm
Superfoods showcased its new Grab & Go Beet Chips and Kale Chips. By
coating the Kale Chips with sunflower seeds and sesame seeds, the chips contain
4g of protein per 0.75oz serving.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Gaea, a
Greek company that specializes in Mediterranean products, introduced Veggie
Snacks in Carrot, Cauliflower, and Gherkin varieties in recloseable pouches.
Similar to its Gaea Olive Snack Packs, the Veggie Snacks contain no
preservatives. Products aimed at health conscious parents included Materne’s
GoGo squeeZ applesauce pouches and Brands Within Reach’s N.A! Nature Addicts
Fruit Sticks – both of which contain 100% fruit and no added sugar, colors, or
flavors.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Spicy
Notes</span></span></b></div>
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<div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Americans, especially younger
ones, are embracing spicy flavors as they like to visit ethnic restaurants
where Thai Sriricha, Korean gochujang, Moroccan harissa, and Yemenite Zhug hot sauces
can be found. Exhibitors at the show incorporated spicy notes into both savory
and sweet products. On the savory side, Picadilly Circus Pizza offered up
samples of its Nashville Chicken Pizza, inspired by the popular and spicy
Nashville Hot Chicken that is showing up on restaurant menus outside Nashville,
Tennessee. Green Chile Food Company had a wide range of Southwestern frozen burritos
(handmade in New Mexico) including the spicy Beef & Bean Burrito with green
chile, cherry tomato salsa, and cheddar cheese. Another company to feature New
Mexico’s chile peppers was Hormel Foods, LLC who offered the Hormel Hatch Chile
Link that mixes pork sausage, scrambled eggs, cheese, and Hatch chiles from New
Mexico in a sausage link.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">On the sweet side, Mars Wrigley showed
its new Skittles and Starburst Sweet Heat varieties that combine “fruity
flavors with a spicy kick” to appeal to young consumers. Starburst Sweet Heat features
Fiery Watermelon, Flamin’ Orange, Strawberry Mango, and Pipin' Pineapple. Also at the Mars Wrigley booth was COMBOS Honey Sriracha Baked Pretzel
combining honey with the Sriracha hot sauce flavor. </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Nestlé USA sampled its NERDS Lucha Grande Guava and Mango Chile and Guava
flavors varieties that are inspired by sweet, spicy Mexican candy and Mexican
professional wrestling. Mondelez International introduced Sour Patch Kids Fire
that fuses sweet, sour, and spicy notes.</span></span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><span style="color: black;"></span>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-15824445026748850832017-10-26T18:36:00.002-05:002017-10-27T09:30:39.100-05:00Top Non-Alcoholic Drinks Trends Seen at 2017 NACS Show<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
National Association of Convenience Stores hosted its NACS Show from October 17
- 20, 2017 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. In this article, I will highlight noteworthy
trends in non-alcoholic drinks that I saw at the show – RTD coffee, cleaner
energy drinks, zero-calorie sparkling waters, and unsweetened & lower-sugar RTD teas. I will
be writing a separate article on food trends from the show.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwdU16x7PxGuIxwObPOpt8FGCXO_-YafsgnsQwphPs8wVu0wUtt527DasudY3xajI-8sJXS6MH-Qk4tbNk0PL_iGb5th7AYsrA5CCyL6vnS5oGdbJ05oaVHJR6qP0rwtPQacxeSuok5lU/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwdU16x7PxGuIxwObPOpt8FGCXO_-YafsgnsQwphPs8wVu0wUtt527DasudY3xajI-8sJXS6MH-Qk4tbNk0PL_iGb5th7AYsrA5CCyL6vnS5oGdbJ05oaVHJR6qP0rwtPQacxeSuok5lU/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. RTD Coffee Outperforms Other
Non-Alcoholic Drinks in C-Stores</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Non-alcoholic drinks as a whole have not been doing well in
convenience stores in 2017 according to figures from IRI cited by CSP
DailyNews.com. <a href="http://www.cspdailynews.com/category-news/beverages/articles/midyear-category-data-report-2017-bottled-water-and-booze-bubble">Dollar sales of carbonated beverages, the largest category, declined by 3.3% in the 24-week period ended June 11, 2017</a>. However, three
categories did show growth – RTD coffee, RTD tea, and bottled water – in
c-stores. Sales of RTD (ready-to-drink) coffee/tea and bottled water grew by
4.6% and 1.3%, respectively, in c-stores in the same time period. Given the
strong performance of RTD coffee, it is not a surprise that many exhibitors
offered RTD coffee products at the NACS Show. In fact, two of the top 10 rated
products (based on scans by retailer attendees) in the show’s Cool New Products
Preview Room were cold brew coffees. The number one product out of about 320
items was JAVA HOUSE Authentic Cold Brew Coffee from Heartland Food Products
Group (available in both concentrate and RTD bottle formats) while the number
three product was STOK Cold Brew Coffee Bulk (in 1.5 gallon RTD bags to be used
in a proprietary dispenser) from DanoneWave Away From Home. RTD coffee,
especially the cold brew variants, have shown strong growth as they meet
consumers’ desires for healthy, flavorful, and convenient energy with a list of
simple, easy to pronounce ingredients.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cold brew coffee has been one of the fastest growing subsegments
within coffee in both retail and foodservice outlets because the process of
steeping coffee grounds in cold water for 10+ hours creates a coffee with a smoother,
less bitter taste. At the show, Chameleon Cold-Brew Coffee introduced a new refreshing
twist to cold brew coffee with its Sparkling Cold-Brew Coffee line in Ginger,
Citrus, Spiced Vanilla, and Black varieties in 12oz cans to its USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Certified
Organic cold brew coffee line. New Age Beverages introduced its Marley Cold Brew
Coffee in 11oz cans as a more premium offering to its existing Marley One Drop
line. The sell sheet for Marley Cold Brew states that the coffee “is steeped
for 16 hours in stainless steel wine tanks, then pressed and filtered for
clarity”. </span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seeing the trend in cold brew coffee-based cocktails, Café Agave
introduced Café Agave Spiked Cold Brew in 187ml (6.3oz) cans. The Spiked Cold
Brews are made with Arabica coffee, contain 10% alcohol by volume, and are
“Wine License Approved” according to the sell sheet.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Innovation in RTD coffee is not limited to small companies. The
largest player in U.S. RTD coffee is the North American Coffee Partnership
(NACP) created in 1994 between PepsiCo and Starbucks that sells the number one
Starbucks Frappuccino brand.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At the NACS
Show, NACP launched the Starbucks Frappuccino Chilled Coffee Drink with Almondmilk
in vanilla and mocha varieties to reach younger consumers who are increasingly looking
for plant-based options. NACP added two new flavors – Vanilla & Fig and
Unsweetened Black – to its Starbucks Cold Brew line and will be launching </span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;">Starbucks
Doubleshot Coffee Smoothies using bananas and almond milk in Dark Chocolate
Banana and Vanilla Honey Banana varieties.</span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px;">The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) was a later entrant to the U.S. RTD
coffee market with the creation of its global joint venture with Italy’s</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #444444; margin: 0px;"> illycaffè SpA in 2008 but now aims to become a bigger
player in RTD coffee with a multi-brand RTD coffee strategy. </span><span style="margin: 0px;">In early
2017, TCCC launched the Dunkin’ Donuts bottled Iced Coffee beverages in
partnership with the donut & coffee shop chain and added Cold Brewed Coffee
varieties to its Gold Peak RTD tea line. At the show, TCCC introduced </span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; margin: 0px;">McCafé
</span><span style="margin: 0px;">Frappés</span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; margin: 0px;"> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>– RTD coffees (in 13.7oz PET bottles) created
in partnership with the McDonald’s restaurant chain in Caramel, Mocha and
Vanilla flavors</span><span style="margin: 0px;">. </span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; margin: 0px;">Additionally, TCCC owns 16.7 percent of Monster Beverage
Corp. who makes Java Monster RTD coffees that combine coffee, dairy, and Monster’s
energy drink ingredients. Monster launched two new RTD coffee lines at the show
that are more premium than Java Monster. Espresso Monster is billed as “3 shots
of espresso with a shot of cream” and contains taurine and B vitamins in an
8.4oz can. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:/Users/lvirg/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.png" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025" width="1" /><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:/Users/lvirg/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.png" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="1" /></span><span style="color: #4b4b4b; margin: 0px;">Caffé Monster Energy Coffee comes in</span><span style="margin: 0px;"> 13.7oz glass bottles.</span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Cleaner Energy Drinks and
Caffeinated Waters</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Energy drinks are seeing some of
their consumers move toward alternatives such as RTD coffee and caffeinated
water as consumers show a preference for products with “clean labels” – a short
list of pronounceable ingredients. Sales of energy drinks declined by 0.9% in
c-stores </span><span style="margin: 0px;">in the 24-week period ended June 11, 2017. <a href="https://www.cstoredecisions.com/2017/03/10/energy-shots-still-compete/">Energy shots such as5-Hour Energy are struggling, with dollar sales down 2.3% for 52 weeks ended December 25, 2016 per IRI data for U.S. convenience stores</a>. Forto Coffee aims to
be a bridge between RTD coffee and energy shots with its USDA Certified
Organic, Fair Trade Certified, cold brew formula that contains a short list of
ingredients including water, coffee extract, milk, cane sugar, natural flavors,
caffeine, and baking soda. The company introduced two new flavors - Hershey's Chocolate in partnership with the confectionary company and Pure Black Espresso. Forto Coffee is billed as a “Ready-to-Drink Energy
Shot” in a 2oz shelf-stable format. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Makers of “clean” energy drinks aim to take share from Red Bull
and Monster Energy by offering a shorter ingredient list, using organic or
natural ingredients, and not using preservatives. Organic energy drinks
pioneers – Hiball Energy (acquired by </span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;">Anheuser-Busch in July 2017), GURU Energy Drink, and </span><span style="margin: 0px;">Steaz
(purchased by Novamex in August 2016) sampled their products at the show. </span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Organic energy drinks are becoming more
mainstream as evidenced by PepsiCo introducing AMP Organic Energy Drinks at the
show. PepsiCo also introduced Yachak Organic Yerba Mate that contains 160mg of
caffeine per 16oz can and is USDA Certified Organic and fair for life fair
trade certified. New Age Beverages introduced Marley Yerba Mate that is also
USDA Organic. These sweetened yerba mate products could be considered organic
energy drinks or RTD teas.</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Other energy drinks companies are positioning their products as
natural and using unique packaging to stand out on shelves. +Red Elixir comes
from a fashion background as the founder of Rock & Republic and knows how
to make a splash. The company hosted a musical performance by CeeLo Green at
its booth to promote its line of beverages - Power Elixir, Power 20 Elixir,
Rescue Elixir - that are “made with 100% natural flavors, no artificial
sweeteners or colors” and the addition of red marine algae. +Red Elixir’s
proprietary 12oz cans with a cap do not look like other energy drinks. </span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UPTIME Energy markets
its energy drink as “premium energy with a balanced boost” with a “clean
ingredient panel…featuring one fifth the ingredients of other leading energy
drinks”. Part of the premium positioning for UPTIME Energy is reflected in the
use of tall, slim 12oz resealable aluminum bottles.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to their Avitae original and flavored caffeine + water and sparkling caffeine + water, Avitae offered their AvitaeXR Extended
Release Caffeine product that contains 250mg of caffeine. After the initial dose of 125mg of caffeine, the ZUMXR proprietary energy blend in a caffeine bead format slowly
releases 125mg of caffeine over three to four hours. The clear 12oz PET cans allow the consumer to see the
caffeine beads after the can is shaken.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevr3BIVxQrtCuWADuvjwacYxq7o61lF1xNIPYLSxv3DOwHG9WC8Ng4_oe7gR4vDBsoYsYECvrZ65mtDA_Gd7vJFOdFQTv0REanRGROG8f5RpNk0-UoyCBgi-0ZI1jZPMeJGMF8kooOLYJ/s320/IMG_2870.JPG" width="240" /></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to coffee shots and clean energy drinks, companies are
also using caffeinated waters to reach out to consumers who want a boost of
energy with minimal ingredients. At the NACS Show, Avitae, Hiball Energy, Hint Water,
and Klarbrunn offered their caffeinated waters that provide consumers an
alternative to colas and energy drinks for the afternoon slump. Klarbrunn
introduced BUBBL’R Antioxidant Sparkling Water to appeal to multiple groups - Generation
Z (born 1995-2010), millennials (born 1980-1995), and Generation X (born
1965-1980) mothers for the family. A 12oz can of BUBBL’R contains 70mg of caffeine
(about one cup of coffee) from white tea extract and green coffee bean extracts,
A and B vitamins, and 5 calories. The company says that BUBBL’R is USDA compliant for high schools. </span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Zero-Calorie Sparkling Waters </span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In
addition to caffeinated waters, zero-calorie sparkling waters are driving
growth in bottled waters as health conscious consumers seek out alternatives to
carbonated soda. National Beverage Corp.’s La Croix is the most popular
flavored, unsweetened sparkling water in the U.S. and continues to show strong
growth. Industry players believe that sparkling water has a lot more room to
grow. The Coca-Cola Company announced its acquisition of Mexico’s Topo Chico
sparkling mineral water brand on October 2. Topo Chico offered Topo Chico Twist
of Lime and Topo Chico Twist of Grapefruit in 12oz glass bottles at the show. Nestlé Waters offered its regional (including Ice Mountain Sparkling, Poland Spring,
and Zephyrhills) sparkling waters in 12oz cans as well as PET bottles. Previously,
the company offered these sparkling waters in PET bottles. Nestlé’s sell sheet
citing Nielsen Homescan data stated that new entrants comprise 64% of sparkling
waters category growth and that most of these shoppers want flavor options.
Talking Rain Beverage Company introduced a new flavor – Ginger Lime – to its
popular sweetened zero-calorie Sparkling Ice line at the show. VOSS Water of Norway introduced a new
Lime Mint flavor to its sparkling water line. Another premium flavored sparkling water at the show was Hiball Energy's zero-calorie Alta
Palla Sparkling Waters that are USDA Organic.</span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Unsweetened and Lower-Sugar RTD Teas</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Consumers
looking for alternatives to carbonated soda are turning to unsweetened or
lower-sugar RTD teas. While few companies offered unsweetened RTD tea options five years ago, consumers now have several options to choose from. At the NACS
Show, The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) introduced Gold Peak in Unsweetened
Raspberry and Unsweetened Lemon as well as a Slightly Sweet Lemon Tea in 18.5oz
PET bottles. Honest Tea, maker of USDA Organic and Fair Trade Certified RTD teas, introduced Unsweet Mint Green Tea and offered Moroccan
Mint Tea with 8 grams of sugar and 35 calories per 16 oz glass bottle. According
to TCCC, unsweetened tea is the fastest growing segment in RTD tea and mint flavored teas are growing at 20 percent annually. Sugar content is the first point of decision-making in RTD tea purchases according to Scott Tillman, Director, Retail Channel Strategy & Commercialization for TCCC. Fuze will also be relaunching as Fuze Antioxidant & Vitamin Infused in January 2018, with two of the four new flavors at 10 calories per 16.9oz bottle.</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bai Brands LLC introduced new packaging for its 5-calorie (and 1 gram of sugar) Bai Antioxidant SUPERTEA at the show. Bai, acquired by the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group in January 2017, is best known for its 5-calorie enhanced flavored waters. With the packaging redesign that emphasizes SUPERTEA, the company wants retailers to display its SUPERTEA next to other RTD teas instead of with Bai’s functional waters. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Argo Tea, owner of a tea cafe chain, offered several RTD teas at its booth including Unsweetened Tea, Signature Drink Originals, and Teappuccinos made with almond milk. The company's newest offering is Cold Brew RTD teas that contain 20 calories (and use fair trade cane sugar) per 13.5oz glass bottle. The Cold Brew RTD teas are produced using a cold brew process and are being rolled out to Whole Foods Market stores this month. The three varieties are Armenian Mint, First Flush Darjeeling, and First Flush Gyokuro. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After test marketing its Teavana Craft Iced Tea in select markets beginning in February 2017, Starbucks and its manufacturing and distribution partner Anheuser-Busch launched the super premium RTD tea line at the NACS Show. Two of the six varieties are unsweetened – Meyer Lemon Black Tea and Strawberry Apple Green Tea.</span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike><br /></strike>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-54481624058966421592017-09-21T14:23:00.000-05:002017-09-25T09:44:43.267-05:00Top 5 Trends Seen at Expo East 2017<br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had the
pleasure of attending Natural Products Expo East in Baltimore, a trade show that
encompasses natural, organic, and functional foods & beverages, vitamins
& dietary supplements, beauty & personal care, and more. Expo East is
the smaller fall counterpart to <a href="http://www.expowest.com/ew18/Public/Enter.aspx">Expo West</a> (the world’s largest natural, organic
and healthy products event) that is held annually in March in Anaheim,
California. New Hope Network organized the trade show and educational sessions that
attracted over 1,500 exhibitors from September 13-16, 2017. During my four days
at the show, I tasted lots of products that contained collagen or probiotics,
were fermented or plant-based, as well as healthy frozen desserts. Off-the-trade
show events of the Harvest Festival, Press Luncheon, Run Clinic and Shake Out
with Olympian Nick Willis sponsored by SOS Hydration, and the Community
Breakfast gave me a chance to talk one-on-one with many exhibitors.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Collagen</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Skin care
devotees may already be familiar with collagen as both topical and ingestible
formulations have been around for years promising to increase collagen
production for younger looking skin and stronger hair and nails. Collagen
consumption is also associated with helping joints. Collagen was everywhere at
Expo East, with some exhibitors going beyond skin, hair, and joint benefits. NeoCell
Corporation has been around since 1998 and focuses on skin care benefits with
its health and fitness Glow Getters message. It served collagen coffee and
collagen pancakes (made with its NeoCell Super Collagen Powder) at its tent
outside the Baltimore Convention Center while Celebrity Chef Charles Chen held
cooking demonstrations at its main booth to promote #cookingwithcollagen. NeoCell
also offered NeoCell Collagen Cookie Bars containing 12-13g of protein. Another
dietary supplements company Reservage Nutrition focused on a “Beauty From
Within” message with its collagen line available in a number of different
formats including bone broth bags, capsules, chews, liquid shots, powders, and
tea bags. </span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vital
Proteins, producer of Grass Fed Pasture Raised Collagen Peptides, went beyond
the benefiting hair, skin, nails, bones, joints, muscles, and tendons message
by stating that that collagen “also helps support better digestion, improved
gut health, and overall wellness”. The company sampled Vital Proteins collagen
coffee creamers in unflavored and gingerbread flavors, matcha collagen, organic
bone broth infusion, and three collagen coolers at its truck. Though collagen
is only one of many components in in bone broth, companies such as Ancient
Nutrition are highlighting the collagen content. Ancient Nutrition states that
the collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid and key electrolyte
minerals in its Bone Broth Protein can “support the health of your gut, joints,
muscles, skin and healthy detoxification”. In addition to the Ancient Nutrition
brand, the company also makes Dr. Axe Multi Collagen Protein which contains
five types of food source collagen: Type I, II, III, V, and X.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The continued
popularity of the Paleo, Keto, Whole30, and Bulletproof diets supports increased
demand for collagen as collagen is typically derived from animal proteins
(cows, chickens) and is compatible with these diets. Primal Kitchen, which
bills itself as Paleo Approved, offered a line of Grass-Fed Collagen Bars with
15g of protein in chocolate hazelnut, macadamia sea salt, dark chocolate
almond, and coconut cashew varieties. Dr. Don Colbert, M.D., author of Dr.
Colbert’s Keto Zone Diet, offered Hydrolyzed Collagen, Instant Ketones, and MCT
Oil Powder at his Divine Health Don Colbert, M.D. booth. Bulletproof, who
popularized the concept of brain-boosting butter coffee made with grass-fed
butter and MCT oil, offered Collagen Protein powders, Collagelatin powders, collagen
protein bars in fudge brownie, lemon cookie, and vanilla shortbread flavors; in
addition to coffees, Brain Octane oils, and dietary supplements at its booth.</span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Plant-based</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Plant-based was a big theme at Expo East, both on the show floor
and in the educational sessions. Four workshops on Friday, September 15 were
devoted to the plant-based track. <span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According
to </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">the
Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), plant-based food sales in the U.S. grew
by 8.1 percent in 2016 to reach $3.1 billion while overall food sales declined
by 0.2 percent per data from market researcher Nielsen.</span> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"> Excitement
about plant-based foods was high at the show, especially given </span><span style="margin: 0px;">Nestlé’s September 7
announcement that it was purchasing Sweet Earth, a California-based maker of
plant-based foods such as frozen burritos, frozen meals, and refrigerated
plant-based proteins Harmless Ham and Benevolent Bacon. </span><span style="margin: 0px;">Plant-based
products at the show included fish-free alternatives, cheeses, yogurts, milks, meats,
meals, and protein bars & drinks. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Good Catch
Foods made a splash at the show with chef-created, plant-made fish-free tuna
and burgers and crab-free cakes that are made with peas, lentils, chickpeas,
soy, and five beans and contain 17g of protein per serving as well as Omega-3
DHA from algal oil. Given consumer concerns about overfishing, attendees
responded favorably to the company’s slogan “We’re culinary rebels with a
cause. Seafood without sacrifice”. Good Catch was not the only exhibitor to
offer fish-free products. Atlantic Natural Foods rebranded its Loma Linda plant
protein brand that has been around since 1890 with a clean look and label and a
new meal solutions line. Three of the products in the Loma Linda line are
Fishless Tuna in Thai Sweet Chili, Sesame Ginger, and Lemon Pepper varieties. Unlike
most other plant-based fish and meat alternatives that are chilled or frozen,
the Loma Linda products are shelf-stable. Quorn USA introduced Quorn Vegan
Fishless Sticks stating on its sell sheet that “Frozen Meatless Fish Sales are
Under Indexed”.</span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"> <span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;">The show even had vegan sushi. </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Plant
Based Foods offered a 100% plant based Mozza Vegan Sushi made with sprouted
brown rice and filled with their MozzaRisella vegan cheese. The company makes
MozzaRisella vegan cheese in block, slices, and spreadable formats with
sprouted brown rice. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Vegan cheeses at the
show came in brown rice, almond, cashew, and other varieties. Miyoko’s Kitchen,
a maker of vegan cheeses, introduced new Homestyle Vegan Cream Cheese in
Plainly Delicious, Un-Lox Your Dreams, and Sensational Scallion varieties and
Pub Cheese in Cheers to Chedda, Beer Garden Garlic, and Chive flavors at the
show. Founder </span><span style="margin: 0px;">Miyoko Schinner, author of Artisan Vegan Cheese, produces
</span><span style="margin: 0px;">Artisan Vegan Cheeses with organic cashews using
traditional techniques. Daiya offered a full line of dairy-free cheeses
including Cream Cheeze Style Spread, Shreds, and Farmhouse Blocks using a
combination of tapioca starch, coconut oil, pea protein isolate, potato protein
isolate, and coconut cream. Kite Hill calls itself a maker of “Artisan Almond
Milk Foods” and offered Cream Cheese Style Spread, Ricotta, and Soft Fresh
cheese varieties. The company also offered almond milk-based Greek-Style
Yogurt, Yogurt Tubes, Drinkable Yogurt, and European Yogurt.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;">On the meatless meats and meals
side, long-time vegan maker Tofurky was joined by newer companies including Alpha
Foods, Drink Eat Well, LLC (Hilary’s), No Evil Foods, and VANA Life Foods.
Tofurky, known for its tofu and seitan (wheat gluten)-based Tofurky Roast, introduced</span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"> a DIY line of Grounds that are gluten-free
in Burger, Chorizo, Breakfast Sausage, and Italian Style Sausage varieties that
are made with “Pasture Raised Plants”. Despite the growth in gluten-free foods,
there is still strong demand for seitan (wheat gluten) which provides a chewy
texture. Alpha Foods sampled its 100% Plant Based, non-GMO, and vegan All-Day Burritos in
four flavors including Philly Sandwich, Chick’ N Fajita, Mexicali, and PIzza. The company uses a proprietary blend of soy and wheat as the protein in its burritos while the cheese is made from coconut oil. No Evil Foods sampled its El Zapatista
Chorizo (made with vital wheat gluten) in tacos and its sausage and pulled pork
varieties (also made with vital wheat gluten) in Donut Sliders format at the
show.</span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Among the numerous companies
offering nut milks and other plant-based milks at the show, <span style="margin: 0px;">Elmhurst Milked, LLC stood out. </span>In October 2016,
Elmhurst Dairy exited the cow milk-based business and changed its name to
Elmhurst Milked LLC to focus on shelf-stable nut-based milks using a patented
cold milling process. After launching Elmhurst Milked Milked Almonds, Milked
Hazelnuts, Milked Walnuts, and Milked Cashews varieties at Expo West in March
2017, the company<span style="margin: 0px;"> introduced</span> Elmhurst Milked
Milked Oats, Milked Brown Rice, Milked Peanuts, Milked Peanuts – Chocolate,
Milked Almonds – Unsweetened, and Milked Hazelnuts – Unsweetened varieties at
Expo East. Another company producing cashew milk is the Forager Project that uses
cashews in a wide variety of foods including Cashewgurt, Smoothies, and
Drinkable Cashewgurt. Swedish company Oatly sampled its</span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"> Oatmilk made from oats. Oatly uses a
patented manufacturing process to retain loose oat fibers (heart-healthy
beta-glucans) in the chilled oatmilks. </span><span style="margin: 0px;">Milkadamia added an unsweetened
vanilla variety to its line of macadamia nut-based milks. Canadian Global
Gardens Group sampled its Veggemo “The Non-Dairy Milk Originating From Veggies”
that uses pea protein for protein, tapioca starch for texture, and potato
starch for color.<span style="margin: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;">What’s interesting about the
growth in plant-based foods is that new product launches are not only coming
from companies that specialize in plant-based foods such as Sequel Naturals ULC
(Vega) but from companies that have had a long history of using animal protein.
At the show, CytoSport Holdings, Inc. (the makers of MUSCLE MILK), Lifeway, and
White Cloud Nutrition Inc. (Kura) offered plant-based products. Hormel Foods Corporation,
maker of SPAM luncheon meat, acquired CytoSport in 2014. In February 2017,
CytoSport introduced its EVOLVE plant-based brand. At Expo East, the company
offered EVOLVE ready-to-drink Protein Shakes made with 10-11 ingredients including
20g of pea protein, Protein Powder, and Protein Bars. Kura started out as a
brand of Grass Fed Dairy Protein powders using milk and whey from New Zealand
pasture-raised cows. At the show, Kura launched a plant based protein powders
that contain </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;">organic pea, oat, and organic sunflower protein.</span></span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;">Lifeway, the largest maker of kefir in the U.S., introduced
Plantiful, a new dairy-free, plant-based protein drink made with peas, hemp and
rice protein with five dairy-free kefir cultures. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Fermented Foods & Drinks</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;">There was a wide array of
fermented foods and drinks at the show as companies sought to promote the
health benefits of naturally occurring probiotics created during the
fermentation process. On the drinks side, numerous kombucha makers were at Expo
East including Buchi, Health-Ade, KeVita, LIVE, and Townshend’s Brew Dr.
Kombucha to promote their beverages made with fermented tea. Fermented coffee
was present at the show’s Natural Business School’s Pitch-Slam Competition. </span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;">Camille Delebecque, PhD, the CEO and Co-Founder of Afineur presented on his company's eatCultured Cultured Coffee. He claims that the
fermentation process produces a coffee that is easy to digest (lower in acid
and stomach irritants), sustained energy (via bioactive compounds and lower
caffeine), and no bitterness (with fruit and chocolate flavors).</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the food side, a number of
companies offered up sauerkraut and kimchi made with fermented cabbage and
salt. Mama O’s Premium Kimchi and Lucky Food offered authentic Korean kimchi. Eden
Foods offered a line of organic sauerkraut including a kimchi variety. Jacob’s
Raw promoted its line of Raw Organic Krauts including a caraway kraut using a
classic Polish home recipe and Raw Cultured Tonics such as beet ginger with no
added sugar. Wildbrine offered not just kimchi and sauerkraut but a Spicy
Kimchi Sriracha and Live Shots in Korean Spicy Kimchi flavor. </span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not all of the fermented products
seen at Expo East need refrigeration. GloryBee introduced Artisan Fermented
Honey that is produced in Thailand. Pure longan blossom honey is placed in
traditional ceramic casks, green tea is added, and then placed in oak barrels
to age for a total of six months. Afterwards, the Artisan Fermented Honey is
finished with more longan honey to add a sweet taste to the vinegar-like condiment.
Fermentation is also showing up in dietary supplements. At the show, SoTru
offered a variety of drink mixes including Organic Fermented Cacao Greens and
Organic Fermented Medicinal Mushrooms, with the company saying that “<span style="margin: 0px;">fermentation breaks down otherwise indigestible plant
materials, while releasing full nutritional potency and ensuring maximum
digestion and assimilation”</span>. New Chapter, Inc says that its New Chapter
Fermented Booster Powders in varieties including Fermented Black Seed, Turmeric,
Aloe, and Maca are “fermented with probiotics and easily digestible”.</span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Probiotics</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is
quite a bit of cross over between fermented foods and probiotic-rich foods as
the fermentation process can sometimes lead to the production of probiotic cultures.
One of the companies leveraging the dual fermented and probiotics trends is
Farmhouse Culture. The company makes sauerkraut, fermented vegetables,
fermented beverages, and crisps made out of sauerkraut. In the case of its Gut
Punch Sparkling Probiotic Veggie Drink, Farmhouse Culture starts with a
fermented vegetable base (filtered water, cabbage, sea salt, caraway) and then
adds flavors, sweeteners, and Ganaden’s probiotic strain Bacillus coagulans
GBI-30 6086. Similarly, the company’s Kraut Krisps begin with fermented
sauerkraut as a base and then adds oil, brown rice flour, flavors, and GBI-30
6086.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Probiotics
were found in a wide variety of foods and drinks at Expo East. NextFoods had
one of the largest selections of probiotic-containing foods at the show. The
company launched GoodBelly Probiotic Infused Beverages and GoodBelly Strawberry
Banana Juice Drink that contain 20 billon probiotics and are USDA Certified
Organic. NextFoods also launched GoodBelly Probiotic Nutrition Bar that
contains one billion probiotics per serving and require no refrigeration. The
company also has a GoodBelly Coconut Water that is USDA Certified Organic with
20 billion probiotic cultures per serving. A number of other companies also
offered probiotic coconut beverages. Inner-eco offered Probiotic Coconut Water
that is made with coconut water and kefir cultures. Harmless Harvest offered
Harmless Coconut Probiotics that are USDA Certified Organic, with 12.5 billion
CFUs, a number of live and active cultures, including L. acidophilus and GBI-30
6086, and over 5g of MCTs from coconut meat. One unique use of probiotics was
in Freed Foods Inc’s nm nurturme’s Ancient Grain Cookies that the company says
is “the first-ever ancient grain cookie with probiotics”. The cookies are made with organic ingredients of millet, sorghum, amaranth, quinoa, potato starch, tapioca starch, as well as GBI-30 6086.</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were
many probiotic smoothies and meal replacement drinks at Expo East. Evolution
Fresh introduced two Probiotic Smoothies that are USDA Certified Organic and
contain Ganaden’s GBI-30 6086. Evolution Complete Probiotic Smoothies made with
coconut milk, a plant-based protein blend (peas, pumpkin, chia, and brown rice),
juices, and oat bran while the Evolution Daily Probiotic Smoothies are made with
coconut milk, juices, and ground chia. Inner-eco offered Probiotic Smoothie
Packs that combine frozen fruit with GBI-30 6086. TruVibe Organics LLC introduced
a line of Eat Clean Organic Meals that are USDA Certified Organic and contain
15+g of protein per 12oz serving. The Watermelon, Pineapple & Moringa
variety contains organic juices, pea and rice proteins, hemp seeds, Reishi
mushroom extract, chaga mushroom extract, moringa, and GBI-30 6086.</span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Healthy Frozen Desserts</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Many companies offered better-for-you alternatives to
ice cream at the show as consumers are looking for healthy indulgence. Fronana
For Life and Snow Monkey use frozen bananas as a base. Banana “ice cream” has
been embraced by food bloggers including Paleo dieters because it is vegan,
dairy-free, and contains no added sugars. Fronana The BANANA based ice cream
alternative is marketed as being under 100 calories per serving, containing
four servings of fruit per pint, with zero added sugars, vegan and paleo diet
friendly, low glycemic and diabetic friendly, and free of the top eight
allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat). Snow Monkey adds apple
puree, hemp protein powder, sunflower seeds, and maple syrup to create what it
calls a “Superfood Ice Treat” that is marketed as Non GMO, Plant Based 21g per
pint Protein, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, Paleo, and Nut Free. Similar to
Snow Monkey, ARTIC ZERO highlights its protein content. </span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;">ARCTIC </span><span style="margin: 0px;">ZERO Fit Frozen
Desserts are marketed as containing 10-12g of protein and 12g of fiber and 300
calories per pint through the use of hormone-free whey protein concentrate,
sugarcane fiber, and monk fruit. The bars contain 3g of protein, 2g of fiber,
and 80 calories. Arctic Zero is also low glycemic, lactose free, gluten free,
and GMO free. The company added </span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;">Cherry Chocolate Chunk, Peanut Butter Swirl and Rocky Road Trip varieties
to its Chunky Pints line and a Cake Batter flavor to its bars. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Minimal ingredients and allergy-friendly status is
important to many consumers. Chloe’s Fruit states that its products are free of
the eight major allergens. The Chloe’s Pops contain a short list of ingredients
- fruit, water, and organic cane sugar - and are also dairy free, gluten free,
vegan, kosher pareve, and Non-GMO Project Verified. Deebee’s Organics Organic
Fruit Pops watermelon variety also has a short ingredient list with organic
watermelon puree, Fair Trade organic cane sugar, and organic guar gum to create
a bar with 40 calories and 10g of sugar. Incredible Foods, Inc markets its
perfectlyfree frozen bites (30 calories each) and </span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;">pints of scoopable non-dairy frozen dessert
as “allergy-friendly frozen treats”. The company states that perfectlyfree is
“Allergy Big 8 Friendly” and free from the eight major allergens including
“tree nuts (except coconut)”. Coconuts are considered to be tree nuts but used
by many vegan frozen desserts maker because it lends a creamy texture to the
desserts. Revolution Gelato uses organic coconut cream, cane sugar, and cashews
in its gelatos. At the Buono (Thailand) Co., Ltd., they offered Buono Non-Dairy
Frozen Dessert in Coconut Milk and Cashew Milk varieties as well as Non-Dairy
Frozen Dessert Mochi Ice.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-61518339477242219532017-08-01T15:21:00.000-05:002017-08-02T13:28:09.015-05:00Snacking and Convenience in Fresh Produce at United Fresh 2017<br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The United
Fresh Produce Association hosted its annual United Fresh trade show and
conference from June 13-15, 2017 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. At this year’s
show, the show organizers split the show into two sections - United FreshMKT
Expo and United FreshTEC Expo - to provide a more personalized experience for
attendees. FreshMKT Expo was targeted at attendees involved in marketing and
product development while FreshTEC Expo was geared toward individuals involved
in technology, robotics, and supply chain. At the show, I saw and tasted multiple
products offering snacking and convenience.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Americans Love to Snack</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Plenty of
snack options were offered at the show. Introducing snack products offers a
growth opportunity for fresh produce companies as Americans enjoy snacking. <a href="http://www.smartbrief.com/original/2017/02/future-snacking-consumer-behavior-and-trends">According to The Hartman Group’s The Future of Snacking 2016 report, 91% of U.S. consumers snack many times a day and snacking accounts for 50% of all eating occasions.</a> <a href="http://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/news_home/Business_News/2017/05/Whats_ahead_for_sweets_and_sna.aspx?ID=%7B4A9BE187-7A10-4F36-9647-9538CB2CEAD3%7D">"Snacking is a behavior, not a category," according to Lynn Dornblaser, director of innovation and insights at Mintel.</a> During her presentation at the May Sweets & Snacks Expo, Dornblaser said that "U.S. snackers overwhelmingly feel anything can be a snack." and "what defines a snack is not the category but the level of convenience and how it's used."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Fresh Convenience Snack Break</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I had a
chance to try many fruit and vegetable snacks during the Fresh Convenience
Snack Break segment of the United FreshMKT Conference when 13 companies offered
samples. Snacks offered at the snack break were grab and go options requiring
no or minimal preparation (such as rinsing under water). Among the snacks
sampled during the break, Naturipe snack packs from Naturipe Farms, LLC with
fresh strawberries, salted nuts, and cheese stood out. I had never seen packaged
washed fresh strawberries outside of a fresh fruit cup before. This line of
snack packs aims to appeal to consumers who are looking for a mix of flavors
and textures. Its Sweet & Smokey variety provides a multi-sensory
experience with strawberries, blueberries, smokey almonds, and Monterey Jack
cheese. </span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Many of
the snaking options at the break offered a variety of colors, flavors, and textures.
Del Fresco Produce aims to create excitement by providing “flavor, texture and
variety” by including eight tomato varieties in its Mini Mixers Gourmet
Snacking Tomatoes<span style="color: #555555; margin: 0px;">.</span> Ready Pac Foods sampled
its READY SNAX snack packs including varieties such as Fruit & Flabread
with apples, grapes, cheddar cheese, and flatbread during the break. The
company invested heavily in sampling at the show by installing a TWEET FOR FREE
READY SNAX vending machine near the registration desk. Attendees who tweeted
about the product with a special code received a free READY SNAX. </span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b>Children's Snacks</b></span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In terms
of kid appeal, several companies offered several snack products during the Fresh Convenience Snack Break. Pure Hothouse Foods offered Mini Munchies in a colorful stand-up
pouch. Mini Munchies are designed for children’s lunches with Juno Bites grape
tomatoes, Aurora Bites mini peppers, and Poco Bites cocktail cucumbers. Mucci
Farms offered Veggie-to-Go 3-packs that are perforated with one pack each of
cucumbers, grape tomatoes, and peppers. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Crunch Pak sampled its apple slices with the packaging touting “25 calories per serving” at the snack break and new Apple Rings at its booth. On the main show floor, Dole Food Company showcased Dole GO Berries 3-packs that are perforated offer “snap, rinse and go convenience” with snack-size portions of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.</span> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Snacks
With Health Benefits </span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Great flavor is key to a snack’s retail success,
with 85% of respondents in a Technomic survey citing “flavor or taste” as the
primary factor in choosing a snack. However, consumers are also looking for
health benefits as <a href="http://www.cspdailynews.com/print/csp-magazine/article/snacking-occasion-anything-goes">51% of consumers said that healthfulness is important in selecting a snack in Technomic’s 2016 Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Consumers already have a favorable
health opinion of fruits and vegetables because of their fresh, unprocessed
image. Raising the protein content or using avocadoes with their “good fat” image
can further elevate shopper appeal as <a href="http://ilsina.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/02/4.-Pelkman-Protein_talk.pdf">consumers associate protein consumption with multiple benefits including energy, recovery, weight-loss, and healthier skin and hair according to New Nutrition Business</a> as cited by Christine Pelkman, PhD, Senior Scientist at Campbell Soup Company. Reichel Foods, Inc extended
its PRO2snax produce and protein line (with a 60 day shelf life) with a new PRO2snax
to the max line. While the original PRO2snax offered 3-6 grams of protein per
snack pack, the new PRO2snax to the max offers 13-17g of protein per snack
pack. One of the varieties includes sliced apples, turkey sausage bites, white
cheddar cheese, and dried cranberries. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Avocado-based snacks were plentiful at United Fresh. Good Foods
Group sampled its 80-calorie Chunky Guacamole single-serve packs with tortilla
chips at the Fresh Convenience Snack Break. At its booth, Good Foods Group offered a range of
high-protein single-serve snack packs including Chickpea Quinoa Salad with 6 grams
of protein and Artichoke Jalapeno Dip (made with Greek Yogurt) & Tortilla Chips
with 7 grams of protein. Bejo Seeds Inc offered 100-calorie Yucatan Guacamole Singles during the snack break. MegaMexFoods LLC
(a division of Hormel Foods) offered samples of its new Wholly Guacamole Layered Dips in
three varieties including Black Bean Over Guacamole) and showed its100-calorie Wholly Avocado
Chunky Minis cups and 45-calorie Wholly Avocado Verde Minis Cups. On the drinkable snacks side, Sonatural Juices offered Apple/Pear Avocado Cucumber/Spinach juice that has been produced with HPP (high pressure processing).</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihr0knfeG13JPlbr_v7gLjfxD3fqNEvu4PK7UY6ZtuxAFFsVovVmBgU0YVwPGRztfn7lJw6IIPXSXOL_oA0COTJ4wALpMfunxExcxEyGJNDWwCYQJKYy8hIKITY52sBRYGqTk6bP9iZBk2/s1600/IMG_7285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihr0knfeG13JPlbr_v7gLjfxD3fqNEvu4PK7UY6ZtuxAFFsVovVmBgU0YVwPGRztfn7lJw6IIPXSXOL_oA0COTJ4wALpMfunxExcxEyGJNDWwCYQJKYy8hIKITY52sBRYGqTk6bP9iZBk2/s320/IMG_7285.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Providing Convenience To Compete Against
Restaurants and Meal Kits</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Food retailers (and the produce
processors supplying them) are increasingly competing not just against other
retailers but against restaurants and meal kit providers that offer a more convenient
way to eat meals. <a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/ag-and-food-statistics-charting-the-essentials/food-prices-and-spending/">According to the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, food away from home’s share of total U.S. Food expenditure rose from a high of 49.0 percent in 2007, fell to 48.5 percent in 2008 during the recession, and reached 50.1 percent in 2014, to overtake at-home food sales for the first time.</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, and other
meal kit providers are also taking share away from supermarkets by providing pre-portioned
meats, vegetables, fruits, grains, and spices along with recipes. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2017/07/03/home-meal-kit-phenomenon/102544292/">Meal kits are now a $2.2 billion business according to food industry consulting firm Pentallect.</a> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rbI0BnmKYgCOdhb1dhzlUrN3qE7XFRx76T40bP5QLErkKBE1ilfcFlsNlLCkM-g9ECM9QAZzXPmJI_Oj1Fma90FpqYKvTnH4eVoqXhuvyBoQMT3VQ91CK3xTyY790ukoga-I_PIsuRml/s1600/IMG_7104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rbI0BnmKYgCOdhb1dhzlUrN3qE7XFRx76T40bP5QLErkKBE1ilfcFlsNlLCkM-g9ECM9QAZzXPmJI_Oj1Fma90FpqYKvTnH4eVoqXhuvyBoQMT3VQ91CK3xTyY790ukoga-I_PIsuRml/s320/IMG_7104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">To compete against foodservice
operators and meal kits, produce companies are introducing more convenient yet
restaurant-quality products to reduce preparation time and effort. Mastronardi
Produce partnered with celebrity chef Roger Mook to create a 15-minute dinner
solution. The SUNSET MInzano pasta kit contains Minzano saucing tomatoes, dried
Italian pasta, and a spice packet. <a href="https://www.readypac.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Fresh-Prepd-Business-Press-Release-2017JUN13-FINAL.pdf">Ready Pac Foods created Fresh Prep’d SoupKits and Wrap Kits to enter the $8.3 billion fresh prepared meal category as defined by market research firm IRI.</a> The Fresh Prep’d Soup Kit aims to offer the taste of freshly
made soup in three minutes by including everything needed for the soup - crisp vegetables
and lean protein in separate compartments and a broth concentrate.
Additionally, the Asian Inspired Beef variety allows Americans to easily
recreate a Vietnamese classic by including rice noodle, cabbage, beef pho
concentrate, beef steak strips, lemon, jalapeno, and cilantro without having to
visit several areas of the grocery store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AgxrGf-XgTJwxTqEmxnJOTenekWQthf57v16fev6oQ_7HcYmdKyhekyu9e9xbBictWSrYkO0URR6ZQrnpkGBaKNYaXcxQJ516bhNiYWZzxSYtiHpbQQOZLS35R6MjJCFHSALfLxhevQJ/s1600/IMG_6804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AgxrGf-XgTJwxTqEmxnJOTenekWQthf57v16fev6oQ_7HcYmdKyhekyu9e9xbBictWSrYkO0URR6ZQrnpkGBaKNYaXcxQJ516bhNiYWZzxSYtiHpbQQOZLS35R6MjJCFHSALfLxhevQJ/s320/IMG_6804.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Spiralized Vegetables</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIU4PjiNjyoaexQjoNZRKRzIR4e-b5P-2L2cxsB-zfkLD6TgQ4qCM-1HXpqC46i2gMekEMRdiX-DcNfi2wtLjk2eW4LhD1aWcZqu187lUXo4anYNnXmE4tmCXoOBHsuSEukVabejYdMGv/s1600/IMG_6643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIU4PjiNjyoaexQjoNZRKRzIR4e-b5P-2L2cxsB-zfkLD6TgQ4qCM-1HXpqC46i2gMekEMRdiX-DcNfi2wtLjk2eW4LhD1aWcZqu187lUXo4anYNnXmE4tmCXoOBHsuSEukVabejYdMGv/s320/IMG_6643.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Spiralizing vegetables to create
vegetable “noodles” has been popular for a few years among consumers looking to
reduce their intake of calories and wheat flour and increase their consumption
of vegetables. However, not everyone is willing to invest the time in using a
spiralizer device to create these veggie noodles. At the show, Veggie Noodle Co
offered the first pre-packaged, all organic spiralized vegetables in zucchini,
sweet potato, butternut and beet varieties with the "Simple But Twisted" tagline. The Veggie Noodle suggested multiple preparation methods - raw, sautéed as a pasta alternative, with sauce; as a side, salad, or soup. Green Giant Fresh markets its line
of vegetable noodles in beet, butternut squash, carrot, sweet potato and zucchini varieties as “gluten-free, paleo-friendly, nutritious and delicious”. The company aims to appeal to different consumers and eating occasions by
offering three different sizes ranging from family to single-serve: 20 oz clamshell,
12 oz pouch, and 6 oz bowl. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjx24WGDlXP1UBLbODGraPbk_sXrBX_oo9d89ljsPgoc7dBKrLCHkmSftQksSxySURlqdUz4VRUMIXRd4A0COErrX61ZiBhYSbVAoxa58cBfYZ5dfu30iRyxQGCKreElXDwlLfnNp6wRUd/s1600/IMG_6755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjx24WGDlXP1UBLbODGraPbk_sXrBX_oo9d89ljsPgoc7dBKrLCHkmSftQksSxySURlqdUz4VRUMIXRd4A0COErrX61ZiBhYSbVAoxa58cBfYZ5dfu30iRyxQGCKreElXDwlLfnNp6wRUd/s320/IMG_6755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Cauliflower “Rice”</span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4RJFdtgMUMDHMvF1W5iSfE3POYHBGpnmr8Wjba_3Tpj5V23z9Xwttxo2ssenHFdtkfL3u2wdorOpYauzlGstuCu8Y1QVrf1JW6-LPnEow9ov8w21_p2uiZ7Qji0vZPIZ-c52xODUh3fv/s1600/IMG_6965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4RJFdtgMUMDHMvF1W5iSfE3POYHBGpnmr8Wjba_3Tpj5V23z9Xwttxo2ssenHFdtkfL3u2wdorOpYauzlGstuCu8Y1QVrf1JW6-LPnEow9ov8w21_p2uiZ7Qji0vZPIZ-c52xODUh3fv/s320/IMG_6965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Carb-conscious consumers such as
those on the Paleo diet and the calorie-conscious have been making their own cauliflower
“rice” in food processors to replace rice and to make wheat-free pizza crusts. Trader
Joe’s and Whole Foods Market have also offered fresh packaged versions of
cauliflower rice for a few years. Now, there are more cauliflower options for
consumers. Apio, Inc sponsored the show’s June 15 breakfast and served eggs
with their new Cauliflower Rice. Other cauliflower rice seen at the show
included Cauliflower Crumbles “Fried Rice” Blend from Farm Day Organic and
Green Giant Fresh Cauliflower Crumbles “Fried Rice” Blend. The “Fried Rice”
Blend with chopped cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and onions is the latest
addition to the original Green Giant Cauliflower Crumbles.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa39Nd2DsAKMZFtIV3pYPf8Cpb_CmTuEErlVDwiaYTXk36FRpeoI9IATjnv0oaDC9VRpCOl-1_7AB4RX8vDvvJ2zkbs8dIiZbbrFUvXnGobzNrloRMBqwugx2xo6ZrHA1of9dkvXt1DkO/s1600/IMG_7245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa39Nd2DsAKMZFtIV3pYPf8Cpb_CmTuEErlVDwiaYTXk36FRpeoI9IATjnv0oaDC9VRpCOl-1_7AB4RX8vDvvJ2zkbs8dIiZbbrFUvXnGobzNrloRMBqwugx2xo6ZrHA1of9dkvXt1DkO/s320/IMG_7245.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-68624278287555879702017-07-27T17:06:00.000-05:002017-07-28T07:10:37.911-05:00Cold Brew Makes a Big Splash at the 2017 Coffee Fest Chicago Show<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSelkFPyuQXGOrQ8-NOAtRkYrQnV3flLfL-V9UOiqgTN_l9cfI-gyjw5E1l6RlAIoshaiNUqESQeRLg-ewa_qKM0AB19k-VdnGufPqTNaNB_Wh1GNzaZv3_MqhTGVTaKWdgqB4mXhesGT4/s1600/Cold+Brew+U+June+2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSelkFPyuQXGOrQ8-NOAtRkYrQnV3flLfL-V9UOiqgTN_l9cfI-gyjw5E1l6RlAIoshaiNUqESQeRLg-ewa_qKM0AB19k-VdnGufPqTNaNB_Wh1GNzaZv3_MqhTGVTaKWdgqB4mXhesGT4/s320/Cold+Brew+U+June+2017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Coffee
Fest hosted its eighth Chicago trade show from June 9-11, 2017 at Chicago’s
Navy Pier. The organizers focused on cold brew coffee at this year's show with the addition of Cold Brew U and America’s Best Cold Brew
Competition. The emphasis on cold brew coffee is not surprising as cold brew
coffee is one of the fastest growing segments in U.S. beverages in retail and
foodservice channels. The <a href="http://www.mintel.com/blog/drink-market-news/the-strength-of-cold-brew">c</a></span><a href="http://www.mintel.com/blog/drink-market-news/the-strength-of-cold-brew">old brew sub-segment of the U.S. RTD (ready-to-drink) coffee market was projected to grow by 580% from 2011-2016 in retail channels according to market researcher Mintel </a>in July 2016. On the
foodservice end, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-starbucks-nitrogen-cold-coffee-0714-biz-20170713-story.htmlv">sales of chilled coffee beverages (which include iced coffee, cold brew, and nitro) at Starbucks have grown about 25 percent annually since its summer 2015 launch of cold brew coffee in U.S. stores</a>. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cold Brew U</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
Cold Brew U workshop offered attendees a two-hour lesson on all things cold
brew coffee with speakers from Friedrichs Coffee (a specialty coffee roaster
and coffee shop chain in Des Moines, Iowa), Brewista (a manufacturer of coffee
and tea brewing devices), and Micro Matic (a manufacturer of draft beer
dispensing systems and kegerators). Malia Meyer from Friedrichs Coffee cleared up misconceptions about cold brew coffee by stating that
cold brew coffee is not iced coffee; cold, brewed coffee; not nitro coffee
(necessarily); and not bottled coffee (necessarily). She then presented a
history of cold brew coffee going back to the early 1600s when the Dutch East
India Company traders developed a method to brew coffee that did not require
hot water on ships to the 1964 patent for the Toddy Cold Brew system by Todd
Simpson. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn69B8Fiu3Y0VphOvIZ7zbXgYurBxPttQxRR2gkgIOo3qDikCdJJw-_In_eRb-qebw3eknRwQUfA7XwT4sbvKmLMlE7LwvTR3ELhuw5cGosVrhaR19j1Y0v-zJuMQPIUHVo-61Ig_uqtt2/s1600/IMG_5818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn69B8Fiu3Y0VphOvIZ7zbXgYurBxPttQxRR2gkgIOo3qDikCdJJw-_In_eRb-qebw3eknRwQUfA7XwT4sbvKmLMlE7LwvTR3ELhuw5cGosVrhaR19j1Y0v-zJuMQPIUHVo-61Ig_uqtt2/s320/IMG_5818.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christian
Krause from Brewista talked about the benefits of cold brew coffee including
its lower acid content than hot brewed coffee, making it easier on the stomach
and less damaging to teeth. He said that marketing cold brew coffee has
become easier because Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts have spent millions creating
awareness of cold brew. Dunkin Donuts introduced cold brew coffee to their
stores in August 2016. Bryan Nelson from Micro Matic presented on nitrogenated
coffee by explaining the nitrogenation process, equipment considerations, and
the importance of food safety.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Who Makes the Best Cold Brew
Coffee?</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dheCOprVlX3mKzDDYbqFoR5TBNIIuhpL7C669wzpMDNVoZ2UmYMxvPicG2xdrw_1ccI_IdBPxB-CIvr8x_7XDtyTTDn_Y8vFK_WrrjbcAS_Fh1uITWof6o5nxBgBAEMKTlzHtDBbKsrc/s1600/IMG_5732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dheCOprVlX3mKzDDYbqFoR5TBNIIuhpL7C669wzpMDNVoZ2UmYMxvPicG2xdrw_1ccI_IdBPxB-CIvr8x_7XDtyTTDn_Y8vFK_WrrjbcAS_Fh1uITWof6o5nxBgBAEMKTlzHtDBbKsrc/s320/IMG_5732.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">America’s
Best Cold Brew Competition featured 32 competitors divided into still and nitro
categories over three days. All attendees were allowed to participate in the
judging process. The winners were Chicago’s Hellion Cold Brew (who work with
Chicago coffee shop Metric Coffee) in the still category and Milwaukee,
Wisconsin’s Colectivo Coffee (who partnered with 3 Sheeps Brewing) in the nitro
category.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc-QTvK5Aj3yLety9ESnfCz82tXPu4TvIXm30W-vD-CRm4RrTHppvIzbpR0DmI6ft8oh_NEC3KoX6vXO2lPmpa1txgVuXxW4hkrLQY4GjchynYsUhmjNyucBhKSxcX-nutD2occVPAMti/s1600/Colectivo+Nitro+Cold.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc-QTvK5Aj3yLety9ESnfCz82tXPu4TvIXm30W-vD-CRm4RrTHppvIzbpR0DmI6ft8oh_NEC3KoX6vXO2lPmpa1txgVuXxW4hkrLQY4GjchynYsUhmjNyucBhKSxcX-nutD2occVPAMti/s320/Colectivo+Nitro+Cold.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Future of Cold Brew Is Nitro </span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nitro
coffee is still a niche offering in the U.S. with no publicly available
estimates on the size of the category. However, if Starbucks and equipment
manufacturers at Coffee Fest Chicago get their way, Americans will be drinking
a lot more nitro coffee in the next few years. Nitro coffee is cold brew coffee
that has been infused with nitrogen to create a smooth, creamy taste with a foamy
head similar to a Guinness. Coffee drinkers have responded positively to nitro
coffee because of its naturally sweet, creamy taste and visual appeal. However,
few consumers in the U.S. had tasted nitro coffee prior to summer 2016 when Starbucks
introduced it in about 500 U.S. stores. Nitro coffee's availability had previously been limited with few coffee shops offering it. Portland, Oregon's Stumptown Coffee Roasters helped to popularize nitro coffee by introducing
nitro coffee on taps in its stores in 2013, creating a RTD version in cans in
2015, and shipping kegs of nitro coffee to specialty coffee shops. Starbucks aims to be an even bigger player in nitro coffee. <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-13/starbucks-latest-bid-to-perk-up-sales-growth-on-tap-coffee">On July 13, 2017,Starbucks announced that it would expand the number of stores offering nitrocold brew from nearly 1,000 stores in the U.S. to about 1,400 stores by the endof 2017</a>. However, due to space limitations, the special equipment and accompanying kegs for nitro cold brew coffee may not become available in all Starbucks stores, according to Sandy Stark, senior vice president for U.S. beverage and global innovation.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New Nitro Coffee Dispensers Offer
Ease and Higher Volumes </span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJJL5KAa2xvYPns4OrMUVDayxL5-iu4zWiu78pTUZ6JpMja449aXkd-vT5y4gpDG5PHPXM2KjcsMC5HW9mXqogplVzKNug6RzPTntOzDarWvPj-B_l9Fl7iJhVgY7DKlvBUjhqImwusWp/s1600/IMG_5728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJJL5KAa2xvYPns4OrMUVDayxL5-iu4zWiu78pTUZ6JpMja449aXkd-vT5y4gpDG5PHPXM2KjcsMC5HW9mXqogplVzKNug6RzPTntOzDarWvPj-B_l9Fl7iJhVgY7DKlvBUjhqImwusWp/s320/IMG_5728.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nitro
equipment manufacturers in attendance at the show included Micro Matic, Bunn-O-Matic
Corporation, and Cornelius, Inc. Micro Matic exhibited with partner JoeTap, Inc
who developed the nitro infusion technology for coffee. To attract attendees to
the booth, Micro Matic offered personalized nitro coffees including nitro
selfies through the use of the Ripple Maker that prints an image or text onto the
coffee foam with coffee extract “ink”. As
nitro coffee gains popularity, equipment makers are trying to make it easier
for coffee shops and restaurants to add nitro coffee. While the first
generation of nitro equipment required changing out heavy metal kegs and using
nitrogen tanks, the new generation of machines take up less counter space, provide
more volume, and in some cases can generate its own nitrogen. All of these
companies offered options that use a BIB (bag-in-box) coffee concentrate to mix
the coffee concentrate with filtered water and infuse it with nitrogen. Using BIBs to serve nitro cold brew is similar to using soda syrup in soft drink fountain machines. The water to concentrate ratio for a cold brew coffee BIB can range from 3:1 to 20:1.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAP0Bkn7O_M2FCzA4Tsp9YmqX6vecSohZKeuClqcaM4bz4bGyZBzPnn78raDpDV0C4bFZOtEkH5soduPCtgiApUonBIccEEpxPlA3P90Lznvte-Bf_pZ3z506e2XuEDBFkeL2t6PRtwot/s1600/IMG_5767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAP0Bkn7O_M2FCzA4Tsp9YmqX6vecSohZKeuClqcaM4bz4bGyZBzPnn78raDpDV0C4bFZOtEkH5soduPCtgiApUonBIccEEpxPlA3P90Lznvte-Bf_pZ3z506e2XuEDBFkeL2t6PRtwot/s320/IMG_5767.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bunn, a
maker of coffee machines, showed its Nitron Cold Draft machine with two taps
(one for nitro, one for still cold brew) in a slim 10” footprint. Cornelius,
known for its fountain soda dispensers, introduced the NitroPro (with three
taps) and NitroPro BIB (with two taps) coffee dispensers. At the booth,
Cornelius showed IDEX’s Element 7 nitrogen gas generator to offer an option for
coffee shops that do not want to use nitrogen tanks. Micro Matic showed the
JoeTap Barista (with two taps) countertop model that has an on-board nitrogen
generator.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqW_oU5z8c-CmbLZzNrVZ916ACk0Gj7TvX4nSitiudMo3ZK-BYQv1jbEyvG7FC8a_zYbNDFxicZjSfSiF3qqv7yYcMeO7viQ8C1RxRaYsjVNFygDCOsXkGAwTarkhsbeGuWxfsfWAkmscy/s1600/Nitro+Pro+model.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1129" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqW_oU5z8c-CmbLZzNrVZ916ACk0Gj7TvX4nSitiudMo3ZK-BYQv1jbEyvG7FC8a_zYbNDFxicZjSfSiF3qqv7yYcMeO7viQ8C1RxRaYsjVNFygDCOsXkGAwTarkhsbeGuWxfsfWAkmscy/s320/Nitro+Pro+model.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGAANpZY7w71oYxckvKC_Vpo6gPY5B4x6DqmQZ9UhIh8eWJeiYrxPTQD61ZFy2xhFMQRo551On1YVBkebl7W7A8eewWp-01yAJbrZqh5i_JhmMNpG2uzCfBQ3Gubeww9P7VRBj3m81N2q/s320/IMG_5751.JPG" width="240" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite
the high cost and counter space required for nitro coffee dispensers, demand
for nitro coffee is likely to grow strongly because nitro coffee addresses
consumer desire for indulgence, health, clean labels, and energy. Nitro coffee
offers a sweet, creamy taste with minimal calories and no added sweeteners; the
use of only two ingredients coffee and water; as well as offering a caffeine boost without the artificial ingredients found in standard colas and energy drinks. The creamy mouthfeel of nitro coffee also
lends itself to consumption as an afternoon snack or dessert substitute.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Using Cold Brew Coffee in Drinks</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A
number of exhibitors used cold brew coffee as a base for coffee drinks. At the Kerry
Foodservice booth, they offered samples of Cold Brew Siesta prepared with Big
Train Horchata Drink Mix, cold brew. and ice. Levi Andersen, Beverage Product
Specialist for Kerry and creator of AudioCafePodcast.com said that “cold brew
will be around for a long time” when I asked about future prospects. On the
topic of nitro cold brew, he said that it is harder to set up, expensive, and
needs counter space. At the Drink Innovations Lab, Andrea Ramirez, Customer
Marketing Manager for Torani, taught attendees how to make Irish Coffee Soda
with Torani Signature Irish Cream Syrup, cold brew, sparkling water, and
topped with whipped cream. </span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.coffeefest.com/">Coffee Fest's</a> next show is scheduled to take place in Portland, Oregon from October 13-15, 2017.</span></span></div>
<br />Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-3964739824775588392017-06-30T14:13:00.000-05:002017-06-30T14:13:02.813-05:00Meat Snacks Offer Breakfast, Gourmet, and Kosher Options at the 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">I attended
the Sweets & Snacks Expo (aka, The Candy Show) which was held May 23-25 at
Chicago’s McCormick Place. The trade show organized by the National
Confectioners Association hosted over 800 exhibitors representing candy,
chocolate, and snacks companies. In this article, I will talk about how meat
snacks have expanded beyond beef jerky to premium breakfast, gourmet, and
kosher options. In other articles, I discuss other trends seen at the show: coffee
meets chocolate, chickpeas and lentils in the snack aisle; spicy flavors; and
popcorn appeals to both health and indulgence seekers. </span></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">The number
of meat snacks continues to grow as companies introduce new products to appeal
to consumers beyond the traditional audience of hunters and fishermen buying
beef jerky at convenience stores. Premium meat jerky, meat bars, and meat sticks
have become more visible as a high-protein, minimally processed snack, boosted
by the popularity of the Paleo diet and a desire for fewer, simpler ingredients
in foods. To appeal to a broader audience and continue growing sales, meat
snacks companies are using a wide variety of meats beyond beef, incorporating
premium ingredients, and turning to chefs and celebrities. <a href="http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2017/wheres-the-beef-check-the-snack-aisle.html">The $2.8 billion meat snack category has been a positive performer in the total snack category, with compound annual sales growth of over 7% over the past four years and 3.5% growth for the year ended February 25, 2017 according to Nielsen</a>.</span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Using
premium ingredients and meats beyond beef is a way for meat snacks companies to
appeal to a wider group of consumers looking for a healthy snack. Genius Jerky
calls itself an “ultra-premium artisan jerky company” through the use of
ingredients such as grass-fed and grass-finished beef, premium spices, honey,
and roasted garlic. Field Trip Jerky seeks to appeal to active foodies by using
grass fed beef, vegetarian fed pork, free range turkey, and ingredients such as
apple juice, pineapple juice, and rice wine. Duke’s Meats emphasizes the use of
real, whole ingredients such as hickory smoked peaches, freshly chopped
cilantro, and real lime juice in its slogan: “Smoked Meats Crafted with real,
whole ingredients, not a lot of sugar”. The brand also emphasizes that its
products are “Small Batch Crafted” with the batch case qty number stamped on
the back of each Duke’s Meats package. Conagra Brands, Inc, owner of the Slim Jim meat snack brand, acquired Thanasi Foods, maker of Duke's Meats in April 2017</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">In the
case of Oberto Brands, they have identified four consumer segments in meat
snacks – Gourmet, Better For You, Traditional, and With Jerky – so that they
have products designed to appeal to each segment. In the Gourmet segment,
Oberto offers its Oberto’s Pacific Gold brand that is sold in club channels and
positioned as a “Delicious snack to reward myself and family”.</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">To reach the Gourmet segment, some players are using a chef-created message to target foodies and women. Think Jerky was created by Ricky Hirsch who partnered with famous chefs such as Michelin star chefs Gale Gand (a Food Network star) and Laurent Gras to develop the recipes. Hirsch calls his products “Healthy Chef-Created Jerky” through the use of 100-calorie packs, minimal use of sugar and salt, and use of grass-fed beef or free-range turkey. Chef's Cut Real Jerky, created by Chef Blair Swiler and Dennis Riedel, touts features such as "Chef-Created Marinade", "Real Ingredients", and "Cut By Hand" in addition to being certified gluten free. At the Sweets & Snacks Expo, Chef's Cut Real Jerky introduced shelf-stable Protein Packs that combine its meat jerky with dehydrated cheese (using a patented process) in Real Steak Jerky - Original Recipe & Cheddar Cheese and Real Turkey Jerky - Teriyaki & Pepper Jack Cheese varieties. Following the show, actress Olivia Munn announced on June 12, National Jerky Day, that she is the newest investor in Chef's Cut Real Jerky. This development is likely to bring more female attention to the brand and to meat snacks overall.</span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Sugar
content in meat snacks has historically not been a big factor in consumer
purchasing decisions. However, it looks like that could change in the premium
segment of meat snacks as health conscious consumers increasingly seek to reduce
sugar consumption not just in beverages but in snacks. Think Jerky’s website talks
about its founder’s focus on minimizing the use of sugar and salt but does not
call its sugar content on the front of the packaging. In contrast, Duke’s Meats
features a low-sugar message in its slogan: “Smoked Meats Crafted with real,
whole ingredients, not a lot of sugar” and calls out the sugar content on the
front of the pack. Without naming names, Duke’s Meats calls out a leading “gourmet”
jerky for containing 11g of sugar and a leading meat bar for containing 9g of
sugar. In contrast, Duke’s Meats products contain only 0-5g of sugar per
serving.</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Women have not been a traditional consumer of meat snacks. But Link Snacks, Inc, the number one player in meat snacks with its Jack Link’s brand, created the Lorissa’s Kitchen brand in 2016 to appeal to active, upscale women looking for a healthy snack with varieties such as Ginger Teriyaki and Korean Barbecue Beef. Lorissa’s Kitchen is differentiated from other meat snacks brands through the use of attractive packaging that features photos of ingredients such as ginger, sesame seeds, and soy sauce. The packaging also touts that Lorissa’s Kitchen is “100% Grass-Fed Beef”, “Chicken Raised Without Antibiotics”, No Added MSG, and No Preservatives to reassure women that the meat snacks are premium.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Even
consumers eating kosher are now being targeted. Tomer Kosher offered Kosher
Beef Sticks that are kosher certified, made with 100% angus chuck, and free of
dairy, gluten, and soy.</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Among
new initiatives, the traditional outdoorsy male audience for meat snacks is not
being ignored. Three Star Brands licensed the Coleman outdoor brand to create
Coleman Premium Steak Snacks for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
Oberto Brands uses its Cattlemen’s Cut brand to target the Traditional consumer
segment and its Oberto brand to reach the Better For You segment. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The company hired sports personalities
including Rob Gronkowski (NFL All-Pro), Richard Sherman (NFL All-Pro), and Travis
Pastrana (action sports) to spread the message that “Oberto is the jerky brand
for those who lead an active lifestyle”. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Among other consumer segments, breakfast lovers and campers are being targeted. Link Snacks Inc extended its Jack Link’s brand to Jack Link’s A.M. to create Breakfast Bacon in Applewood Smoked and Brown Sugar & Maple and Breakfast Sausage in Original and Hot & Spicy varieties as a hearty morning offering. The introduction of a morning-positioned meat snack provides another snacking occasion beyond afternoon snacking and ties in well with the concept of more Americans having a second breakfast as reported by The Wall Street Journal in April 2017.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-30649909934267514032017-06-30T07:03:00.002-05:002017-06-30T17:28:22.845-05:00Popcorn Appeals to Both Health and Indulgence Seekers at the 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">P</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">opcorn
products were in abundance at the Sweets & Snacks Expo which took place May
23-25 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The trade show organized by the National
Confectioners Association hosted over 800 exhibitors representing candy,
chocolate, and snacks companies. I will talk about how popcorn makers are
targeting both health and indulgence seekers in this article. Other articles
will highlight the following trends in snacking that I saw at the show – coffee
meets chocolate, chickpeas and lentils in the snack aisle; spicy flavors; and
meat snacks offer breakfast, gourmet, and kosher options. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Popcorn’s
neutral taste and low calorie content provides a versatile platform that allows
companies to offer one of the lowest calorie snacking options (on a per cup
basis) or the indulgence of caramel, cheese, and chocolate mixed in. In turn,
popcorn along with meat snacks has been one of the fastest growers in the U.S.
snack industry. The RTE (ready-to-eat) popcorn category grew by 10.9% to reach
$1.3 billion for the 52 weeks ending April 16, 2017 according to IRI POS, MULO
and C & MULO data cited in Amplify Snack Brands, Inc’s June 13, 2017 presentation.
A large portion of the double-digit growth has been driven by the company’s
SkinnyPop brand, the number two brand in RTE popcorn after PepsiCo’s Smartfood
brand.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">SkinnyPop
and other better for you (BFY) popcorn brands have leveraged growing interest
in healthier snacking. The SkinnyPop brand has grown sales by highlighting
features such as 39 calories per cup (in the Original Popped Popcorn), Non-GMO Project
certification, gluten free certification as well only using only three
ingredients (popcorn, sunflower oil, and salt). Going beyond its Original RTE
popcorn, the company introduced microwaveable popcorn and popcorn cakes in February and is rolling out RTE popcorn in Real Cheese Aged White Cheddar & Pepper Jack varieties
(47 calories per cup) this month.</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">A
number of other companies also highlighted the low number of calories for their
RTE popcorn at the show. SHRED Brands LLC highlighted “SHRED Snack approved at
33 calories/cup” on its SHRED Pop package. SHRED Pop is targeted towards
calorie-counters and fans of Dr. Ian K. Smith, best-selling author and creator
of the SHRED diet. I had a chance to meet Dr. Smith at SHRED Brands' booth at the Good Food Festival held in Chicago in March 2017. </span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Gaslamp Popcorn Co notes that its Sea Salt & Olive Oil Hand
Made Popcorn contains 37 calories per cup. This popcorn is targeted at foodies
with a small batch, kettle-popped process and the use of California Olive Ranch
Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Open Road Snacks notes 43 calories per cup and 18g
whole grain for its Sinfully Thin SuperPop Popcorn Herb & Spice Popcorn
with Kale & Pomegranate. By using dehydrated kale flakes and pomegranate powder,
the company seeks to position its popcorn as not just BFY but as a superfood. Karen Bradley, VP of National Sales at Open Road Snacks, told me that her company targets a wide range of consumers by offering both BFY Sinfully Thin Popcorn range as well as indulgent Rocky Mountain Popcorn (with the "taste HUGE" slogan) in flavors like caramel, kettle, and white cheddar. Open Road Snacks was acquired by Fresca Foods Inc in February 2017. By using a 0.625oz bag instead of a 1oz bag, Herr Foods Inc is able to claim 80
calories per bag for its Go Lite! Himalayan Salt popcorn. In addition to using
Himalayan salt that is popular among foodies, the company uses coconut oil,
currently viewed as one of the healthiest cooking oils.</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">There
were plenty of indulgent items featuring popcorn at the show. The Hershey
Company offered its Hershey’s Popped Snack Mix (with chocolate, pretzels, and
popcorn) and Reese’s Popped Snack Mix. Gaslamp Popcorn Co offered up its Malibu
Mix that combines sweet kettle corn, white cheddar flavored popcorn, and sea
salt & olive oil popcorn. Hello Delicious! Brands combined the indulgence
of caramel with the health benefits of dried Montmorency tart cherries in its
Popcorn Thins Handcrafted Popcorn Snacks With Cranberries, Almonds, Cherries
& Caramel.</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Also
offering indulgence was Harry & David who introduced two new varieties of
its Moose Munch Premium Popcorn featuring Nestlé’s confections - Moose Munch
Popcorn made with Nestlé Butterfinger Bites and Moose Munch Popcorn made with
Nestlé Buncha Crunch. I spoke with Harry & David’s President Steven Lightman
and Midwest Gourmet Food Group’s President Steve Druckman at the 1-800-Flowers.com booth at the show. 1-800-Flowers.com acquired Harry & David in 2014 and also owns The Popcorn Factory, Cheryl’s Cookies,
Wolferman’s, 1-800-baskets.com, Stockyards, and fruitbouquets.com). Moose Munch and The Popcorn Factory primarily sell their products directly to the consumer. Lightman talked about how the
company is seeking to position Moose Munch as an everyday snacking item instead
of holiday gifting only. Consumers are familiar with Moose Munch from its
availability in department and home stores such as Macy’s and Bed, Bath &
Beyond during the Christmas shopping season as well as on the Harry &
David’s catalog and website. To reposition the Moose Munch brand and reach younger
consumers, the company has decided to go after self-consumption and snacking
occasions through new products such as the Nestlé collaboration, smaller
package sizes, and an expansion of retail channels. Using smaller single-serve
4oz bags and share-size 8oz bags instead of tins and drums allows Harry &
David to sell their premium items into convenience stores such as 7-Eleven which receive more foot
traffic than department stores.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Similar
to Lightman’s goal at Harry & David, Druckman wants to expand the number of
eating and buying occasions for The Popcorn Factory’s popcorn. The Popcorn
Factory is known as a source for decorated popcorn tins during the holidays
through its website and catalog. Druckman seeks to expand its wholesale
business and to increase the number of orders on The Popcorn Factory’s website.
At the show, the company’s Wholesale Shared Bag Line offered multiple indulgent
options including Bacon Cheddar Popcorn, Butter Toffee With Sea Salt Popcorn,
and Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn in packages ranging from 3oz to 8oz. The Popcorn
Factory also offered Single Flavor Clear Canisters of popcorn in a wide variety
of flavors including Peanut Brittle and Sour Green Apple. In terms of
e-commerce, Druckman wants to get more and more gifting occasions beyond
birthdays, sympathy, thank you, and graduation. To aid this effort, parent
company 1-800-Flowers.com offers the Celebrations Passport membership program similar to
Amazon Prime where consumers receive free
unlimited standard 2 business shipping with no minimum purchase across all of
the company’s brands for an annual fee of $30.</span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Candy and snack manufacturers
are increasingly interested in using e-commerce to grow sales. At the show, One
Click Retail’s VP of E-Commerce, Nathan Rigby, stressed the need to compete on
Amazon.com effectively in his “</span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">State of the Market: E-Commerce for Candy and Snacks” presentation.
Rigby stated that grocery sales on Amazon U.S. passed the $1 billion mark in
2016 and totaled $350 million in the first quarter of 2017, up 30%
year-over-year.</span> </span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com74tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-10485632445673415182017-06-29T16:58:00.000-05:002017-06-30T09:01:05.372-05:00Spicy Flavors at the 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo<div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I attended
the Sweets & Snacks Expo which was held May 23-25 at Chicago’s McCormick
Place. The trade show organized by the National Confectioners Association
hosted over 800 exhibitors representing candy, chocolate, and snacks companies.
In this article, I will talk about how candy and snack companies are injecting
spicy flavors into their products. Other articles will highlight the following
trends in snacking that I saw at the show – <a href="http://www.virginiaalee.com/2017/06/coffee-meets-chocolate-at-2017-sweets.html">coffee meets chocolate</a>, <a href="http://www.virginiaalee.com/2017/06/chickpeas-and-lentils-at-2017-sweets.html">chickpeas and lentils in the snack aisle</a>; meat snacks offer breakfast, gourmet, and
kosher options; and popcorn appeals to both health and indulgence seekers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spicy flavors such sriracha and chili,
habanero, jalapeno, and serrano peppers featured in many candies and snacks
seen at the show. Most of the spicy products offered a mild to medium heat
level, unlike the famously fiery Paqui Haunted Ghost Pepper tortilla chips from
Amplify Snack Brands, Inc. Sriracha hot sauce’s growing popularity has moved it
beyond Asian restaurant tables to savory snacks, candies, and even nut butters.
Pop! Gourmet Foods offered The Original Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce Kettle Cooked
Potato Chips that has been created in partnership with Huy Fong Foods, the
producer of the original Sriracha Chili Sauce. </span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sriracha flavor notes of chili
peppers, distilled vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt are increasingly being
combined with other flavors such as honey and fruits. Hippeas Organic Chickpea
Puffs offered a Sriracha Sunshine flavor variety at the show while Think Jerky
offered Sriracha Honey Free-Range Turkey Jerky. Koko’s Confectionery &
Novelty, owned by A&A Global Industries, Inc., offered the youth-targeted Sweet
Fire sriracha candy line that includes cotton candy, gumballs, and popping
candy (with a strawberry lollipop). For active, health conscious consumers,
snack bar maker PROBAR LLC offered PROBAR Organic Sriracha Peanut Butter Blend
made with organic peanuts, coconut oil, vinegar, and pineapple in single-serve
1.15oz squeeze packs for on-the-go snacking.</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beyond sriracha, companies are
combining the taste of sweet fruit with spicy notes to appeal to young
consumers. Impact Confections Inc is known for its WARHEADS Extreme Sour Hard
Candy products. At the show, the company introduced HOTHEADS Extreme Heat Worms
to offer a multi-layered flavor experience of puckering sour, sweet fruit, and
fiery heat. American Licorice Company extended its Sour Punch brand with new
Sour Punch Pineapple Mango Chili Straws. Use of spicy fruity flavors is not
limited to small and medium size companies. Wrigley extended its fruit flavored
Skittles and Starburst lines with Skittles and Starburst Sweet Heat that
combine “fruity flavors with a spicy kick”. Starburst Sweet Heat will feature Fiery
Watermelon, Strawberry Mango, Flamin’ Orange and Pipin’ Pineapple.</span></span></div>
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Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-63717435897668204972017-06-26T14:47:00.000-05:002017-07-01T07:40:08.076-05:00Chickpeas and Lentils at the 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I attended
the Sweets & Snacks Expo (aka, The Candy Show) which was held May 23-25 at
Chicago’s McCormick Place. The trade show organized by the National
Confectioners Association hosted over 800 exhibitors representing candy,
chocolate, and snacks companies. In this article, I will talk about chickpeas
and lentils (pulses) in the snack aisle. I previously wrote about the </span><a href="http://www.virginiaalee.com/2017/06/coffee-meets-chocolate-at-2017-sweets.html" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Coffee Meets Chocolate” trend at the show</a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If year 2016 was the International Year of
Pulses as proclaimed by the United Nations, could 2017 turn out to be the year
of pulse-based snacks? Numerous exhibitors spotlighted the use of chickpeas,
lentils, dry beans, and other pulsesin snacks to promote themselves as healthier
options to traditional chips. Using pulses allows snack companies to offer
the nutritional benefits of being high in protein and fiber while being naturally
gluten-free. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Chickpeas, best known for its use in hummus,
are likely to be the biggest star among pulses in snacks. Green Park Brands,
the makers of HIPPEAS organic chickpea puffs, announced on May 23 that Academy
Award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Strand
Equity Partners were new investors in the company. HIPPEAS are certified gluten-free, kosher,
vegan, and USDA certified organic. HIPPEAS are aimed at health and socially
conscious millennials with bright packaging, the call-outs of 3g of fiber and
4g of protein per 1oz serving, and its partnership with Farm Africa, where a portion
of proceeds go to supporting chickpea farmers in eastern Africa economically. HIPPEAS also made an appearance at the 2017 National Restaurant Association Show as shown in the photo above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Numerous other companies featured chickpeas,
best known in the U.S. for its use in hummus. Rare Fare Foods, offered Off the
Eaten Path Hummus Crisps made with chickpeas and rice flour. GLK Foods
introduced GoBitos, a line of seasoned roasted chickpeas, as a high fiber, high
protein, “satisfying meal replacement”. Saffron Road’s Saffron Road ChickBean
Crisps offered 5g of protein per 1oz serving in addition to being certified gluten-free
and Halal. The Saffron Road ChickBean Crisps are made with chickpeas, lentils,
yellow and green split peas, and rice and sweet potato flours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In addition to chickpeas, lentils were another
popular pulse at the show. Enjoy Life Foods, a division of Mondelez
International, offered its Plentils lentil chips that are marketed as having 40%
less fat than the leading potato chip, certified gluten-free, free of the eight
major food allergens, and vegan. By combining lentils with high-protein edamame
(immature soybeans), Harvested For You Baked Multi-Grain Chips by Hello Delicious! Brands offers 4g of protein per 1oz serving. The package for Daily
Crave Spicy Sriracha Lentil Crisps from Natural Intentions, Inc touts its 3g of
protein, vegan, kosher, and non GMO among its features. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-51164402615557598292017-06-26T12:39:00.000-05:002017-06-26T14:27:03.741-05:00Coffee Meets Chocolate at the 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I attended
the Sweets & Snacks Expo (aka, The Candy Show) which was held May 23-25 at
Chicago’s McCormick Place. The trade show organized by the National
Confectioners Association hosted over 800 exhibitors representing candy,
chocolate, and snacks companies. In this article, I will talk about the "coffee
meets chocolate" trend while other articles will highlight other trends in
snacking that I saw at the show – chickpeas and lentils in the snack aisle; spicy
and fruity notes; meat snacks offer breakfast, gourmet, and kosher options: and
popcorn appeals to both health and indulgence seekers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Combining coffee
with chocolate is not a new practice as chocolate covered espresso beans have
been around for a long time. Woodstock Foods offered Organic Dark Chocolate Coffee Beans at the show. However, I saw many more confectionery items using
coffee as an ingredient at this year’s show than previous shows as chocolate
makers seek to capitalize on the growing interest in drinking specialty coffee,
especially among millennials. One new launch is Wild Ophelia Cold Brew
Chocolate Bites from Vosges Ltd. that features cold brew coffee and chocolate fudge
centers covered with solid chocolate. Vosges highlighted the growing awareness
and popularity of cold brew coffee in its sell sheet by citing research firm
Mintel’s data that estimated cold brew coffee sales grew by 338.9% from
2010-2015. Cold brew coffee sales have skyrocketed in the U.S. because it offers
a smoother, less acidic coffee through the process of steeping ground coffee in
water for about 12-18 hours without using heat.<br />
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In addition to a love of cold
brew coffee, many millennial consumers have an interest in products made in a
sustainable manner that supports farmers and the community. Wild Ophelia’s Cold
Brew Chocolate Bites are Fair Trade certified, and a portion of the proceeds go
to supporting female food entrepreneurs. Amore di Mona uses fair trade and organic ingredients including Dutch cocoa butter, Madhava agave nectar, and La Semeuse coffee beans in its Chocolate With Crunchy Coffee Beans that is also gluten, soy & nut free. </div>
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These
coffee-filled products offer a quick burst of caffeinated energy for on-the-go
consumers in a portable format. CoffeeSnacks, Inc touts its Java Me Up! Coffee
Bars as “Coffee That Never Spills”. Its Java Me Up! Café Mocha Coffee Bar is a
caffeinated energy bar with 35 mg of caffeine, 6g of protein, and 5g of fiber
and is made with organic, shade-grown, direct trade coffee; dark chocolate; rolled oats; almonds; sunflower seeds; flaxseed; and chicory root fiber. Awake Chocolate says that one
Awake Caffeinated Chocolate Bar contains 100mg of caffeine, equivalent to a cup
of coffee. An even higher caffeine content is claimed by the GET UP and GO
Energy Shot Cookie from Get Up and Go Ventures that is aimed at energy shot drinkers
with 180mg of caffeine in a 3oz cookie (two servings in each cookie) to “Knock
Out the 3pm Slump”.<br />
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In terms of portability, the smallest caffeinated item at
the show was Coffee Thins in a 0.35oz package from Tierra Nueva Fine Cocoa. The Coffee Thins look like little chocolate squares and are made with 100% arabica coffee beans and cocoa butter. The
company’s licensed Krispy Kreme Coffee Thins “Your On-The-Go Coffee Snack” were created to taste like the coffee from the popular doughnut shop
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Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-31282959454457553092017-06-08T15:30:00.001-05:002017-06-27T07:11:02.815-05:00Top Non-Alcoholic Drinks Trends Seen at the 2017 National Restaurant Association Show<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
National Restaurant Association Show hosted its 98<sup>th</sup> annual National
Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and Beverage Alcohol for Restaurants
(BAR) at NRA Show from May 20–23, 2017 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. In this
article, I will highlight noteworthy trends in non-alcoholic drinks that I saw
at the show. I previously wrote about <a href="http://www.virginiaalee.com/2017/06/alcoholic-drinks-trends-seen-at-2017.html">alcoholic drinks trends</a> and <a href="http://www.virginiaalee.com/2017/05/top-5-food-trends-seen-at-2017-national.html">food trends seen at the NRA Show</a>.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">1. Cold
Brew Coffee Is Hot</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cold brew coffee is one of the fastest growing segments in U.S.
beverages in retail and foodservice channels. Retail sales of ready-to-drink
(RTD) cold brew coffee
grew by 580% from 2011-2016 while cold brew menu penetration grew by
+300% from 2014-2016 according to data from Datassential presented by<b> </b>John
Buckner of S&D Coffee & Tea. In his “Cold Brew Coffee: Why Is Hot?” presentation,
Buckner told the NRA Show audience that cold brew coffee offers an opportunity
for foodservice operators to grow beverage sales, reach millennials, and charge
more on a per cup basis than traditional iced coffee by offering a premium,
smooth tasting product.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">S&D Coffee & Tea offered multiple cold
brew coffee variants including black, flavored, nitro, and soft serve ice cream
at its booth.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There was no shortage of cold brew coffee at the show as numerous
exhibitors offered up bean bags, liquid concentrate, kegged, and RTD versions. Tradecraft
Outfitters </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">hosted a mobile pop-up that
featured Metropolis, Stumptown, and Stumptown nitro cold brew coffees on tap as
well as a stand offering</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">RTD cold brew
coffees from La Colombe, Limitless, Metropolis, Passion House Coffee Roasters,
Stumptown, and Zingerman’s. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Califia
Farms and High Brew Coffee showed their RTD cold brew coffees while BUNN
showcased their Nitron Cold Draft Dispenser that uses one gallon concentrate
BIBs (beverage-in-boxes) or caddy packs instead of kegs. Royal Cup Coffee and
Tea offered personalized coffee by allowing visitors to create “Nitro Art” with
the Ripple Maker that prints image or text onto coffee foam. The company
offered two nitro cold brew options: Royal Cup French Roast Cold Brew Coffee and
HC Valentine Aztec Organic Cold Brew.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Rising
Interest in Gourmet and Specialty Coffees</span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Not only are millennials driving growth in
cold brew coffee, they are also driving growth in gourmet and specialty coffees.
Millennial coffee drinkers are highly interested in handcrafted beverages,
unusual flavor combinations, and learning the stories behind the coffee growers
and roasters. </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;">I had a chance to speak to
Lavazza North America’s CEO and EVP, Davide Riboni at the show. Riboni
discussed how American consumers are looking for a higher quality product and
increasing their consumption of espresso-based beverages (EBBs) such as
cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos, especially away from home. He said that EBBs
have about 20% market penetration in the US and thinks it can get to 50%
penetration. In addition to competition from espresso, drip filter coffee is decreasing
in popularity in the U.S. because of the convenience offered by single-serve
pods from Keurig and Nespresso. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;">To appeal to consumers looking for gourmet
coffees and help its hotel and restaurant customers grow their coffee business,
Lavazza is providing more single-origin coffees that offer storytelling
potential. At the show, the company showcased its new Lavazza KAFA Forest
Coffee from Ethiopia as well as relaunching the Tierra Single </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;">Origins line of Rainforest Alliance,
sustainably produced coffees from Brazil and Tanzania. KAFA offers uniqueness
due to its limited production and geographic origin as arabica coffee is
thought to have originated in this region. Unesco has acknowledged Kafa as a “biosphere
reserve”. To emphasize the luxury aspect of Lavazza KAFA, the company offered
workshops that served KAFA in three different ways including a pour over with
cinnamon and ginger (and served with a side dish of popcorn as done in Ethiopian
coffee ceremonies) and as a coffee mocktail with cold brew coffee and Monin
cherry syrup to bring out the cherry notes in the coffee.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Lavazza was not the only coffee company at
the show emphasizing the origin of its coffees. Coffee Planet’s booth signage
stated that the company “was born in Arabia where Arabica coffee was first
roasted over 500 years ago”. After starting up in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2005, Coffee Planet signed partnerships to serve its coffee in highway convenience stores, expanded into hotels and supermarkets, and developed a franchised café concept in the UAE before expanding into international markets. Coffee Planet now wants to expand into the US foodservice market. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3.
Healthier Sodas and Soda Alternatives</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Volume sales
of carbonated soft drinks have been declining in recent years as health
conscious consumers seek to reduce consumption of sugar and artificial
sweeteners. To retain consumers, soft drinks companies are turning to new
product launches and acquisitions to offer “healthier” sodas and soda
alternatives that provide flavor and bubbles minus the high fructose corn
syrup. The Coca-Cola Company introduced the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Barrilitos Aguas Frescas</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> line of fountain drinks that contains 50-60
calories per 8oz serving. Modeled after Mexican aguas frescas, the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Barrilitos Aguas Frescas</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> in
Horchata and Tamarind varieties are flavored with fruit juices, purees and/or
spices. PepsiCo sampled its line of Stubborn Soda that was launched in select
foodservice channels in a fountain format in 2015. Stubborn Soda contains 90-100
calories per 12oz serving and is made with Fair Trade certified cane sugar and
stevia. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After completing its purchase of Bai Brands LLC in January 2017, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. showcased Bai's 5-calorie drinks (per 11.5oz serving) including Bai Bubbles that are sweetened with erythritol and stevia leaf extract). Tractor Soda Co offered Tractor Organic Crafted Soda that is USDA-certified organic and made with organic raw cane sugar, organic fruits, herbs, and spices. Another organic soda offering at the show was Brooklyn Organics Craft Ginger Ale that contains 5-10 calories per 8.4oz serving that is sweetened with organic stevia leaf extract. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Iced Teas Aim to Attract Health Conscious</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tea
companies are aiming to pull away consumers from soft drinks by emphasizing its
refreshing and healthy properties. Tiesta Tea has been selling loose leaf tea
blends in retail channels. At the show,
Tiesta Tea noted how “tea attracts millennials” and that its loose-leaf tea
blends offer functionality such as slenderizing (Lean Green Machine Light
Citrus Green Tea) and age defying (Blueberry Wild Child Blueberry Hibiscus
Fruit Tea). Rishi Tea launched its Craft Brew Sparkling Tea & Botanicals
line of sparkling tea and botanicals in one-way recyclable PET kegs. Rishi Craft
Brew was created to offer the energy boost of cold brew coffee and the health
benefits of kombucha in a product that contains no added sugar or
preservatives. The Runner’s High Sparkling Tea contains yerba mate and green
tea for the uplift and organic schizandra berries, an adaptogenic herb to restore the
body.</span></div>
Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-4551915995728022752017-06-01T14:44:00.001-05:002017-06-01T14:44:46.657-05:00Alcoholic Drinks Trends Seen at the 2017 National Restaurant Association Show<br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
National Restaurant Association Show hosted its 98<sup>th</sup></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> annual National
Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and Beverage Alcohol for
Restaurants (BAR) at NRA Show from May 20–23, 2017 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
In this article, I will highlight noteworthy trends in alcoholic drinks that I
saw at the show. A separate article on non-alcoholic drinks trends will be published
at a later time.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Alcoholic Drinks Get Technology Infusion</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bars and restaurants experience
many “pain points” according to many beverage technology exhibitors at the NRA Show
and the BAR Pavilion. A major pain point is speed of service – consumers want
their cocktails and jello shots immediately. One possible solution to wait
times is having consumers serve their own cocktails. DraftServ Technologies in
partnership with Micro Matic and RIPE Bar Juice created a Cold Pressed Craft
Margaritas Self-Serve Machine where a patron uses a DraftServ card (after age
verification) to pour a cocktail. The Micro Matic machine holds a bag-in-box of
cold-pressed HPP (high pressure processing) mixer and the spirit such as
tequila and combines it for the patron. DraftServ also offers advanced consumer
analytics by allowing owners and managers to review what pours best, at what
time, and by demographic segments.</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For high-volume bars serving jello
shots, they have had to wait several hours for the gelatin shots to “set” in
the refrigerator as well as messes created by mixing gelatin mix with liquor.
The makers of Jevo The Automated Gelatin Shot Maker claim that bartenders can
make up to 300 gelatin shots an hour by using the Ready-To-Eat mode that takes
15 minutes or the Quick Prep mode that takes 2.5 minutes before finishing in
the refrigerator. Billed as the Keurig of gelatin shots, the Jevo is a machine
that uses proprietary flavor pods and any liquor. The flavor pods are produced
by Jel Sert, makers of Royal gelatin dessert mixes and Fla-Vor-Ice Freezer
Pops. Jevo has partnered with alcoholic drinks producer Beam Suntory, makers of
Pinnacle vodka, Cruzan rum, and Jim Beam Kentucky Fire. Jevo tracks usage of
the flavor pods and can automatically place a replenishment order through Wi-Fi.</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another pain point for bars is
watered down drinks as ice melts. It was previously thought that liquor could
not be frozen. To maintain the taste of “on the rocks” drinks from first sip to
last sip, Beyond Zero was developed to be able to freeze liquor into ice cubes.
Patrons no longer have to worry about the dilution factor as frozen liquor
melts into liquid liquor.</span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Kombucha and Tea as Cocktail Mixers</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kombucha and tea have traditionally been viewed as healthy beverages with antioxidants and less sugar than soda. But kombucha and tea have not been seen as cocktail mixers. Bartenders and drinkers are turning to a wider range of mixers as they go beyond tonic water to include bolder flavors such as ginger beer. In turn, makers of kombucha and tea see an opening in the cocktail space. </span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Health-Ade
Kombucha, Pure Steeps (Wonder Drink), and Owl’s Brew exhibited at the BAR Pavilion
to market themselves as cocktail mixers to bar and restaurant operators. At the
NRA Show, Health-Ade Kombucha served kombucha on tap and from glass bottles.
Health-Ade offered four cocktails recipes including for PCH Mojito and Beet
Sangria. Stephen Lee, CEO of Pure Steeps sampled his Kombucha Wonder Drinks. He
explained how kombucha makes a good mixer in cocktails. He offers several kombucha
cocktail recipes including one for the Blood Orange Kombucharita in his book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kombucha Revolution: 75 Recipes for Homemade
Brews, Fixers, Elixirs, and Mixers</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Owl’s Brew
offered its “Tea Crafted for Cocktails”. The company’s liquid tea concentrates
are loose leaf teas and spices that have been fresh-brewed and sweetened before
bottling. The Owl’s Brew products designed to be two parts Owl’s Brew and one
part liquor were designed to provide a fresh, lightly sweetened alternative to
existing mixers.</span></span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-41962651436360379122017-05-31T21:22:00.000-05:002017-06-01T10:43:31.753-05:00Top 5 Food Trends Seen at the 2017 National Restaurant Association Show<br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
National Restaurant Association Show hosted its 98<sup>th</sup> annual National
Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and Beverage Alcohol for
Restaurants (BAR) at NRA Show from May 20–23, 2017 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
In this article, I will highlight noteworthy trends in food that I saw at the
show. A separate article on beverage trends will be published.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wDV8_PdOTK6tI7M6wZDIidPkGp2R5Q5SUQlm_dPO7J-Ohl_qbn0bL9k1QHVceaZml4IyL72BofDEGz3OeY7KHxvA8I810MNqRRRRo1gbPwDf1LaqEe-Ce16fqpKD_eP-ceKdPTGdk_5b/s1600/Wagamama+breakfast+ramen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wDV8_PdOTK6tI7M6wZDIidPkGp2R5Q5SUQlm_dPO7J-Ohl_qbn0bL9k1QHVceaZml4IyL72BofDEGz3OeY7KHxvA8I810MNqRRRRo1gbPwDf1LaqEe-Ce16fqpKD_eP-ceKdPTGdk_5b/s320/Wagamama+breakfast+ramen.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>1</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Bowling for Breakfast</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Menu trend analyst Nancy Kruse highlighted Wagamama's Ramen Breakfast in her "Menu Trends 2017" session. McDonald’s decision to offer an all-day breakfast effective October 2015 has brought more attention to the additional revenue potential of breakfast. Restaurants adding more breakfast options are embracing traditional egg, sausage, and cheese sandwiches as well as breakfast bowls and ethnic egg casseroles such as the Tunisian shakshuka. The “Bowling for Breakfast” FOODamental Studio session ties into to the rising demand for comfort foods such as ramen noodles served in a bowl. In the session, Abra Berens, Chef at Granor Farm, demonstrated how to use eggs, beans, and vegetables to make a breakfast bowl. </span></span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Filipino Flavors</span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqj3A2GWFSrGIaBGRlvylFKAH2Eh_FGBq19d6d8oog6E3WVv00aC7351xrtRx57q4IFALNELIvJfqNCBSrQgKttNHcM2zrgOEEpYVjMaaRyMsYOTjxciDfR5HVxCyyeW_7peLqDEZBGLx/s1600/IMG_3720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqj3A2GWFSrGIaBGRlvylFKAH2Eh_FGBq19d6d8oog6E3WVv00aC7351xrtRx57q4IFALNELIvJfqNCBSrQgKttNHcM2zrgOEEpYVjMaaRyMsYOTjxciDfR5HVxCyyeW_7peLqDEZBGLx/s320/IMG_3720.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: small;">Ricardo
Jarquin, Brandon Domingo, Josyline Javelosa, Ph.D., Consul Melchor Lalulino, Jr</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Filipino cuisine was center stage at this year’s show. Two FOODamental Studio sessions featured chefs preparing Filipino dishes that represent a melting pot of culinary influences from Spain, China, Malaysia, Japan, and the U.S. At a “Breakfast Beyond Borders” session, Carlo Lamagna. Executive Chef at Clyde Common and creator of the Twisted Filipino pop-up dinner series, demonstrated how to prepare arroz caldo, a type of congee with chicken bits. The National Restaurant Association cited ethnic-inspired breakfast items and authentic ethnic cuisine as two of the top 10 food trends in its 2017 Culinary Forecast.</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the “Cool as Kinilaw” session, Chef de Cuisine Ricardo Jarquin and sous chef Brandon Domingo from Travelle Kitchen + Bar taught me and other attendees how to make kinilaw, a Filipino style ceviche made with coconut milk. Agriculture Attaché Josyline Javelosa, Ph.D., of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines and Consul Melchor Lalulino, Jr (both pictured) of the Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines attended the kinilaw session. The Philippines pavilion at the show hosted exhibitors featuring a wide range of foods including banana chips, calamansi concentrate, coconut amino sauce, and single-origin dark chocolate.</span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<b>3</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Diners Want Plant-based Options</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Though <a href="http://www.vrg.org/blog/2016/04/29/how-many-adults-in-the-u-s-are-vegetarian-and-vegan-how-many-adults-eat-vegetarian-and-vegan-meals-when-eating-out/">only 3.3 percent of U.S. adults follow a vegetarian-based diet according to a 2016 Harris Poll commissioned by the Vegetarian Resource Group</a>, growing numbers are
looking to eat more plant-based options for a number of reasons including
health concerns, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. Plant-based
foods also have higher appeal among college students and Millennials.</span> The
same Harris Poll found that 5.3 percent of U.S. adults ages 18-34 are
vegetarian, compared to 3.3% for all U.S. adults.<span style="margin: 0px;"> The age 18-34 group is also keen on
eating vegetarian meals when eating out. 43% of the ages 18-34 stated that they
always or sometimes eat meals without meat, fish, or poultry when eating,
compared to 37% of the total U.S. adult population. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Restaurants at all price points
are adding more vegetable-based options. The White Castle fast food chain made
news when it added Veggie Sliders made with Dr. Praeger’s vegetable burger to
its menu in 2014. It recently introduced a Black Bean Slider, also made with a
Dr. Praeger’s product.</span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the NRA Show, a number of
companies offered a wide variety of plant-based products to appeal to
flexitarians and reducetarians looking to eat less meat. Beyond Meat calls its
The Beyond Burger, “The world’s first 100% plant-based burger that looks,
cooks, and satisfies like ground beef.” The makers of The Beyond Burger have
designed it to be very close to a beef patty with similar levels of protein and
calories (20 grams of protein and 290 calories per 4 oz. patty) as well as providing
the “bleeding”, courtesy of beet juice extract. Similar to Beyond Burger, Eleni’s
Modern Mediterranean’s plant-based gyro slices and shawarma slices offer 21
grams of protein per serving. The Tofurky booth showed boxed sandwiches made
with its deli “meats” as a grab and go option. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Passport Food Group, LLC offered Wing Hing Popcorn
Tofu, a crispy seasoned organic fried tofu, to capitalize on the popularity of popcorn
fried chicken and shrimp. Pinnacle Foods Group offered Gardein Meatless Italian
Pizza Crumbles made to simulate pork crumble.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Hummus Growing in Popularity and Options</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hummus
continues to grow in popularity in the US, with retail sales growing by 3
percent to reach $788 million during the 52-week period ended October 3, 2016,
according to IRI data. Sabra, the number one hummus brand in the U.S., sees plenty of room for future growth as household
penetration of hummus is only at about 29% in the U.S. At the NRA Show, multiple
exhibitors showcased their hummus including Sabra, which is owned by Strauss and distributed by PepsiCo in the
U.S. Makers of the chickpea-based dip and spread are aiming to distinguish
themselves from rivals by touting their products as offering fresh taste. Baruvi Fresh
LLC’s Hummustir <span style="margin: 0px;">offered a kit that allows foodservice
operators to easily make fresh hummus </span>by combining packets of organic
chickpea puree, organic tahini, and spices, and stirring. Ithaca Hummus calls
its hummus “cold crafted” by touting its use of cold pressed lemon juice,
blending while cold, and the use of high pressure processing (HPP).</span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Minis in Breads and Desserts</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Foodservice
operators are aware that many consumers are seeking to watch their calorie and carbohydrate intake. They also want to offer grab & go items in the chiller case and reduce food
waste. Food makers offered several mini breads and desserts
to meet consumer demands for small indulgences and snacks. Pinnacle Foods Group introduced
Duncan Hines Perfect Size For 1 Cakes mixes in flavors such as Strawberry Shortcake that can be microwaved in cups. The Eli’s Cheesecake Company offered 3-inch Butter Tarts and Salted Caramel Tarts in bulk or individually wrapped formats. On the savory end, Boulart’s
Ciabatta Bites are now individually wrapped in heatable packaging. FGF Brands, Inc's Stonefire Ancient Grain Mini Naan offers the advantages of ancient grains (quinoa, spelt, buckwheat) and 40 fewer calories than its original Naan.</span></span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-31450615330719220662017-04-30T17:14:00.000-05:002017-05-17T11:33:22.493-05:00Free-From Options at the Gluten Free & Allergy Friendly Expo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGVFGnpvjjQHG-jWhtJF8CGePngP9ykDxlFZGfuBwNPA5ydMKoPplZqO_dprEC9QS4zBgfBslKS0352R-go9zJW-aJ_kvNpc52qMqzPnIvbQ6aE9hNlnS5gLeG_Avdnll6-Aj5GeLb5b_/s1600/Celiac+Project+for+blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGVFGnpvjjQHG-jWhtJF8CGePngP9ykDxlFZGfuBwNPA5ydMKoPplZqO_dprEC9QS4zBgfBslKS0352R-go9zJW-aJ_kvNpc52qMqzPnIvbQ6aE9hNlnS5gLeG_Avdnll6-Aj5GeLb5b_/s320/Celiac+Project+for+blog.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I attended the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://gfafexpo.com/">Gluten Free & Allergy Friendly Expo</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (GF&AF) for the first time when show organizer Gluten Free Media Group hosted its two-day expo on April 22-23 in Schaumburg, a suburb of Chicago. The consumer show hosted exhibitors representing food companies, beverage companies, retailers, educational resources for individuals with celiac disease such as <a href="http://www.celiacproject.com/">The Celiac Project</a> who is pictured above as well as education classes. While the major focus of the show was gluten free products, the GF&AF Expo also addressed the growing demand for “Free-From” foods. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Global market research company <a href="http://blog.euromonitor.com/2017/02/free-organic-becomes-fastest-growing-health-wellness-categories-2016.html">Euromonitor International stated that global sales of Free-from foods and beverages grew by 7 percent in 2016 to reach US$32 billion</a>.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Euromonitor </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">defines </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Free-from as “food products that do not contain ingredients known to cause a reaction for people with food allergies or intolerances.” In this article, I will discuss the eight most common allergens in the U.S. and the allergy friendly positioning of Enjoy Life Natural Brands, LLC and BFree Foods USA Inc.</span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 8 Most Common Allergens in the U.S.</span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm079311.htm"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration), the following eight foods account for about 90 percent of food allergic reactions in the U.S.</span></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> To safeguard consumers’ health, the Food
Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 requires that food labels
identify the food source names of ingredients that fall under the following eight
food groups and any ingredient that contains a protein derived from one of the “major
food allergens”. </span></span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 8 “major food allergens” are</span></span></b><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">:</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Milk</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eggs</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fish (e.g.,
cod, pollock, salmon, tilapia)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Crustacean
shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tree
nuts (e.g., almonds, coconuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Peanuts</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wheat</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soybeans</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every exhibitor at the Gluten Free & Allergy Friendly Expo offered signage on tables that identified </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the eight major food allergens as well as the presence of gluten, corn, yeast, and sesame.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Allergy
Friendly Positioning of Enjoy Life and BFree Foods</span></span></b></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The market for Free-from and allergy friendly foods is a big one
as an </span><a href="https://www.foodallergy.org/facts-and-stats"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">estimated 15 million Americans have a food allergy according to data cited by the Food Allergy Research & Education, Inc</span></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. An estimated three million Americans have celiac disease
according to the </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. Many food companies are realizing that they want to reach both
consumers who are looking for gluten free products as well as individuals
looking to remove common allergens such as dairy, soy, nuts, and eggs from
their diets. Among the exhibitors at the GF&AF Expo, Enjoy Life Natural
Brands, LLC and BFree Foods focused on marketing its allergy friendly positioning.
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enjoy Life Foods, a
division of Mondelez International, decorated its booth to as Enjoy Life Land, a
place where children and adults could enjoy product samples from Cookie Canyon,
Allergy Friendly Forest, and Freedom Mountain, among other areas. The company’s
tagline is “eat freely”. In addition to being free of all the above mentioned
eight major food allergens, the company’s products are also free of casein,
sesame, and sulfites.</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BFree Foods USA Inc is
the U.S. subsidiary of BFree Foods, headquartered in Ireland. BFree’s tagline
is “Be Wheat & Gluten Free”. Going beyond gluten free, all of BFree’s products
are free of dairy, nuts, eggs, and soy. The line of BFree breads are vegan and
contain no added sugar. The company also uses ingredients such as peas, apples,
and potatoes to increase the bread’s protein and fiber content.</span></span><br />
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Free & Allergy Friendly Expo Coming to Other Cities</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The </span><a href="http://gfafexpo.com/"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gluten Free & Allergy Friendly Expo</span></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> is scheduled to take its traveling expo to other
U.S. cities including Atlanta; Glendale, Arizona; and Worcester, Massachusetts. More
information can be found at http://gfafexpo.com.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: black;"></span>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-20781461726104597812017-04-21T14:18:00.000-05:002017-04-21T14:18:27.089-05:00Gluten Free & Allergy Friendly Expo Coming to Chicago Area
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<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">I am excited to
attend the Gluten Free & Allergy Friendly (GF&AF) Expo in Schaumburg,
Illinois taking place on April 22-23. The organizer Gluten Free Media Group
states that the 8-city Expo “is the biggest gluten free and allergen friendly
event in the US”. Gluten-free products are big business, with market researcher
Mintel estimating the US market for gluten free foods at $11.6 billion in 2015
according to an October 2016 article in The Verge (http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/23/13370858/gluten-free-diet-fad-weight-health-expensive-food).
An estimated three million Americans have celiac disease according to the </span><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. The rising demand for gluten free foods is coming not just from
individuals with celiac disease but from consumers who believe that consuming
gluten free products will help them with weight loss, digestive issues, and
autism.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">The GF&AF
Expo offers consumers with celiac disease and individuals with food allergies the
chance to learn about and try a wide variety of gluten free and allergy friendly
products. I look forward to discovering new products and talking with people I
have met at other trade shows. One of the scheduled exhibitors is Brazi Bites
out of Portland, Oregon who makes Brazilian cheese bread (Pao de Queijo). Another
is Biena Foods with their chickpea snacks. I wrote about how Brazi Bites are
naturally gluten-free because they are made with tapioca flour, cheese, and
yucca root and that Biena chickpea snacks are a better for you option to chips at
<a href="http://www.virginiaalee.com/2017/02/top-5-food-trends-seen-at-2017-winter.html"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">http://www.virginiaalee.com/2017/02/top-5-food-trends-seen-at-2017-winter.html</span></a>.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">In addition to a
wide range of snacks, the exhibitors will offer baking products, breads, dairy
alternatives, salad dressings, spreads, and yogurt. Udi’s Gluten Free, the
number one gluten free food brand in the US, is a presenting sponsor of
GF&AF Expo along with sister brand Glutino. In response to growing demand
for convenient gluten free products, Udi’s has expanded from its original line
of breads to include breakfast sandwiches, granola, and frozen meals. I will be
writing a recap of trends seen at GF&AF Expo.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">The Gluten Free
& Allergy Friendly Expo will take place at the Schaumburg Convention Center
at 1551 Thoreau Drive North, Schaumburg, IL 60173 on April 22 and April 23.
More information can be found at http://gfafexpo.com/locations/2017-schaumburg-il/#when-where</span></h2>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986479095123355728.post-81300141851772754312017-03-31T07:46:00.001-05:002017-03-31T07:46:29.816-05:00DIY Fermentation and Fast Cold Brew Coffee at the Housewares Show
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was
pleased to attend the International Home + Housewares Show held by the
International Housewares Association from March 18 - 21 at Chicago’s McCormick
Place. The trade show hosted over 2,200 exhibitors from 47 countries
representing numerous product categories including beverage makers, food prep
& utensils, kitchen electrics, and tabletop & serveware. In this
article, I will highlight two trends that I saw at the show – DIY fermentation and
cold brew coffee in under an hour. </span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DIY Fermentation
</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fermented foods and beverages are being embraced by Americans for
their flavors and health benefits. Kimchi, pickles, sauerkraut, and kombucha are
rich in probiotics (beneficial live bacteria) and aid digestive and immune
health. To reduce the intimidation factor of making fermented foods at home,
companies have created fermentation crocks and other devices for the DIY (do it
yourself) consumer. Montreal, Canada company Mortier Pilon introduced DIY
at-home fermentation kits in fermentation, kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut
varieties that are likely to appeal to adventurous cooks. Each kit contains a
contemporary looking fermentation crock/jar with a glass interior and white
plastic exterior and a recipe booklet. The company says that their crocks are a
third of the weight and price of traditional crocks. Another company
emphasizing cost savings is Kraut Source that says that buying fermented foods
at the store can cost $8 for an organic 16 oz jar while the organic ingredients
to produce 32 oz of sauerkraut cost under $3. Kraut Source is a stainless steel
device that fits on wide-mouth mason jars to facilitate the preparation of
fermented foods in small batches. The small size of the Kraut Source devices
takes up less storage space and costs less than traditional stoneware
fermentation crocks. England’s The Rayware Group introduced the Kilner
Fermentation Set that is based on Kilner’s heritage of producing glass jars
since 1842.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLkO3Tb2eZC0vrop2OxpqO7Q6RdX-7_ObGA23dRCh8pR-MgA9Lm0npNU7g9bxnB0sfY4fjmzL8-Lqc4r8pYXemsAS2fDwx8pNFemjAb6qrz7ogBkWg9UP77FXhZV79dQhry0XrW1CjZ5F/s1600/Mortimer+Pilon+fermentation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLkO3Tb2eZC0vrop2OxpqO7Q6RdX-7_ObGA23dRCh8pR-MgA9Lm0npNU7g9bxnB0sfY4fjmzL8-Lqc4r8pYXemsAS2fDwx8pNFemjAb6qrz7ogBkWg9UP77FXhZV79dQhry0XrW1CjZ5F/s320/Mortimer+Pilon+fermentation.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fast cold
brew coffee</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cold brew coffee continues to grow in popularity in foodservice
and retail channels as it offers a smoother, less acidic and bitter taste than
hot-brewed coffee. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Buying pre-made cold
brew coffee at the coffee shop or supermarket allows consumers to skip the time-consuming
step of immersing coffee grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. But two
exhibitors showcased cold brew coffee makers that reduce the brewing time to
under an hour. Cuisinart says that its new Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker can
make cold brew coffee in about 25 – 45 minutes. The machine makes 7 cups of
cold brew coffee into a glass carafe and uses a stainless steel filter lid that
can store brewed coffee in the refrigerator. Storebound showed a prototype of
its Dash Rapid Cold Brew System with a brewing time of about 10 minutes. The
company says that the machine uses ColdBoil technology, with water moving back
and forth from the brewing chamber to the pitcher. The machine makes
concentrated cold brew for 4 – 8 servings and has an adjustable dial to adjust
the strength of the brew. Press releases from the two companies indicated that the Cuisinart
machine is scheduled for July 2017 availability while the Dash machine is available
for pre-sale on Indiegogo.com.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLYWYcpTIo38ax_fGYNS8_PMAefIP3EWiaIAAPycR4v-apJb3QatZK74f50vKLPnQMqYNX4EX7EdaTFLbMDlIip75a6hKN6I9QPgHaHVuuOtmFbnCfvxbZMkENWQyeTYMPqUO3gIOkYrn/s1600/Cuisinart+Cold+Brew+maker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLYWYcpTIo38ax_fGYNS8_PMAefIP3EWiaIAAPycR4v-apJb3QatZK74f50vKLPnQMqYNX4EX7EdaTFLbMDlIip75a6hKN6I9QPgHaHVuuOtmFbnCfvxbZMkENWQyeTYMPqUO3gIOkYrn/s320/Cuisinart+Cold+Brew+maker.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Virginia Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09533097843931570438noreply@blogger.com0