By living in New York, it’s easy to take advantage of the glorious shows playing on Broadway, but no show captures my attention more than the Summer Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center! The average supermarket displays around 45,000 different products, so imagine how overwhelming it is to walk through the glass doors and face 180,000 products from over 80 countries and regions housed on two floors the size of football fields! For a foodie…heaven was just a bite away.
If you were not able to make it to the exhibition this week, I’ll walk you up and down a few aisles to share some of my favorite trends and foods that may be coming to a store near you.
Whether iced or hot…tea is hot! As a major tea fan, I was thrilled to taste steamy brews from all over the world. Aside from America, the teas from France and Italy were incredibly aromatic.
Why tea? A robust mug of tea in the late afternoon could act like a speed bump to unnecessary snacking. In summer, add some cut fruit to a pitcher of tea and keep it in the fridge for hydration the whole family will enjoy and benefit from.
It took careful research and taste testing to help me determine the differences between a variety of dark chocolates and further studies will be warranted (ha!) These tasty treats were not your grandmother’s chocolate; they were laced with herbs like lavender and spices like chili. One unique brand showcased “molecular compatible pairing,” joining together molecules and tastes that “flow into each other.” As with wine and food, chocolate pairs included combos of raspberries and fennel or pecans and ginger or strawberries and basil, as shown above.
Why chocolate? Chocolate is packed with antioxidants like flavonoids and theobromine, to help boost circulation and help fight disease. It’s best to watch your portion sizes though, or weight gain will, literally, outweigh the benefits.
Sunday dinners will never be the same with designer pastas laced with vegetables, spices, and herbs. Not only will they taste delicious, but they are visually beautiful as well. I was especially impressed with the variety of types of pasta in the Italy section of the show (where I spent most of my time!) and the passion with which the food companies described their products.
Why pasta? Pasta provides a source of sustained energy, especially when consumed in combination with a protein like chicken, seafood, or a sprinkle of cheese. In some cases, a serving of these new pastas cold be equivalent to eating a serving of vegetables and whole grain pastas are a good source of fiber.
As a carb-lover, classic grains, ancient grains, and any grains make me happy. Quinoa came in a Quinoa came in a nude form as well as in varying colors and flavors. Oats are still a favorite child of the grain family and be on the lookout for those combined with dried fruit and nuts.
Why grains? Grains add fiber to help move you and fill you and carbs are the best source of energy. Oats and soluble fibers may even lower cholesterol levels. Not all grains are alike, however, so check labels to see that whole grains are listed as a first ingredient. nude form as well as in varying colors and flavors. Oats are still a favorite child of the grain family and be on the lookout for those combined with dried fruit and nuts.
I was thrilled to see so many thick, rich balsamic glazes — items I use on a daily basis. These products are so flavorful — you’ll want to think outside the salad! The above vinegars work wonders on fruit and the cocoa balsamic partners beautifully with a plain cake.
Why balsamic? You could save hundreds of calories by drizzling a balsamic glaze on your salad instead of heavy, creamy dressings. In fact, my kids prefer a squeeze of such glazes instead of oil or other dressings.
Rest assured that this is something you will never see on my table. I just threw this photo in to illustrate the diversity displayed at the show.
And lastly, this bag was given to me by Eden foods. It says it all.
Note: I did not receive financial compensation from any of the above companies.
