Getting Fancy in Midtown

As I write this, I am sitting at my desk, slowly savoring a piece of the richest, most decadent dark chocolate bar: John Kelly’s Chocolate with French Grey Sea Salt Fudge. I’m absolutely loving the combination of dark chocolate and sea salt.

I brought it home from the Fancy Food Show, (June 27-29th), where I made my way through hundreds of gourmet products.

I look forward to this show every year. It’s my time to visit old friends, try new products and discover the trends. The creativity, the branding, the care that this industry takes to make their products irresistible always excites me.

This year, I noticed that the trend is toward adding healing elements into foods. From Yogi Chips to organic green tea with turmeric. I’m happy to say there are more organic products than ever before and more companies dedicated to environmental causes.

Favorites:

Republic of Tea is always  a trendsetter, and this year they had a new Raw Green Tea that is filled with antioxidants and because its made from Rooibos it has no caffeine. They have created the most divine flavors! I loved the plantain coconut the best.

Rick Bayless from Frontera Grill has a new line of products.

I love this guacamole mix in a pouch. You just add the avocados. I tried it and it’s absolutely authentic and delicious!

Many companies are doing great things with charities, like donating proceeds or trying to help the environment.

For example, Partners Tea (which has since folded) had biodegradable silken tea sachets AND worked with women’s charities.

Equal Exchange chocolate supports farm co-ops in Latin America.

Sweetriot chocolate nibs is creating a sweet movement to fix the world. With all this and more, I’m looking forward to next year already!

*The original blog was called Flavors in Love. All material has been transferred and some has been edited for easier reading, and archiving.