LAS VEGAS — Kelp, cactus and hemp are among the many cutting-edge substances driving product growth within the $170.4 billion specialty meals trade. Different rising developments embody keto-friendly formulations and snacks made out of mushrooms.
Greater than 800 exhibiting corporations featured new merchandise on the Winter Fancy Meals Present, held Feb. 6-8 in Las Vegas. The occasion marked the Specialty Meals Affiliation’s first reside commerce present in two years.
A distinguished theme was consolation meals with a twist, as shoppers proceed to hunt new but acquainted experiences at residence amid the continued pandemic.
“We’re getting into our third yr of the pandemic, and hopefully issues are stabilizing considerably, however folks have been by the ringer, and one of many methods that’s popping out is a resurgence of comfort-type meals,” mentioned Denise Purcell, vice chairman of content material and training for the New York-based Specialty Meals Affiliation.
She famous new pasta shapes and substances as examples. A number of Sardinian pastas are set to debut stateside. A protracted ribbon pasta is coloured with turmeric, spinach, beets and paprika. New York artisan pasta maker Sfoglini showcased its vary of choices, which incorporates beet fusilli, cuttlefish ink spaccatelli, einkorn macaroni, hemp rigatoni, porcini trumpets, entire grain mix radiators and extra.
Additionally on show have been pasta sauces infused with regeneratively farmed and harvested seaweed and a pesto sauce that includes foraged sea asparagus.
Ms. Purcell additionally identified many consolation meals choices produced with plant-based substances. Daring Palate Meals displayed its non-dairy twist on the perennially in style ranch dressing, made with lemon and dill, tangy cider vinegar and garlic. Spero Meals confirmed its line of cream cheese-style spreads made out of sunflower seeds. Karana sampled dumplings full of jackfruit. Whoa Dough created a line of plant-based, gluten-free cookie dough bars made with entire grain oat flour and chickpea flour.
Hemp seeds have been highlighted in a number of new merchandise. Planet Based mostly Meals makes burgers, sausage crumbles and extra based mostly on a mix of hemp seeds, pea protein and brown rice.
“Planet Based mostly Meals is on a mission to determine hemp as a nutrient-dense protein supply that may feed the world sustainably for generations to return,” mentioned Braelyn Davis, chief govt officer and co-founder, Planet Based mostly Meals. “We see hemp as an untapped pure useful resource that delivers unmatched vitamin and sustainability advantages and is uniquely suited to thrive within the face of local weather change. We imagine deeply within the potential for our hemp-based merchandise to play a task in addressing main meals system challenges whereas delighting discerning values-driven prospects.”
Hemp Love produces natural, plant-based chocolate with a “hemp seed crunch.” Queen of Hearts Superfoods launched a line of dressings formulated with hemp hearts, hemp seed oil and hemp protein.
“Most dressings are full of sugar, trans-fat oils, petroleum-based vinegars and different junk substances that trigger irritation and poor well being outcomes,” mentioned Tonia Farman, co-founder and CEO. “We took our ‘free-from’ focus a step additional and mix with solely omega-rich cold-pressed oils, integrating the deep flavors and sturdy dietary profile of the hemp seed. We additionally use a proprietary low-heat course of that retains the omega-3s and different important fatty acids and minerals that assist assist cognitive, cardiovascular and immune well being.”
A number of manufacturers unveiled espresso and tea innovation. Maury’s Hive Tea is a maker of bagged entire leaf tea blended with granulated honey. Civilized Espresso produces instantaneous cold-brew espresso and tea powders. A Belgian model debuted a line of specialty decaf choices. Circles Espresso developed a single-serve, spherical pour-over filter made out of compostable supplies. Large Coronary heart Tea Co. launched single-serve stick packs of natural matcha sourced from a household farm in Japan.
A caffeine-free beverage debuting on the present is made out of roasted figs and appears and tastes like espresso. Taika exhibited its ready-to-drink, plant-based espresso and tea lattes incorporating a mix of theanine, ashwagandha, lion’s mane, cordyceps and reishi mushrooms to advertise calm and readability. A San Francisco startup launched a powdered golden milk latte combine made with turmeric, ashwagandha, spices, coconut milk and maple sugar.
Loads of choices on show cater to shopper demand for world flavors. Saba’s Sauces celebrates Eritrean and Ethiopian flavors, and Fairly Thai offered its vary of sauces together with Thai Peanut, Muay Thai, Pat Thai, and Tiger Smirk, described as “tangy lime with a touch of savory roasted garlic.” Khalsa Salsa combines Indian spices and Mexican salsa substances. Sibeiho confirmed its assortment of Singaporean sambal chili paste. A line of bottled Caribbean-inspired condiments consists of island curry sauce and barbecue jerk sauce with scotch bonnet chili flakes.
Sideaway Meals affords globally impressed facet dishes packaged in microwavable pouches. Varieties embody Moroccan Tagine, Cuban Black Beans and Spicy Thai Rooster, amongst others. Icelandic snacks noticed on the present included crunchy skyr bites and a mix of dried fish fillets and potato chips. Additionally seen have been South African shortbread cookies baked with rooibos and honeybush tea.
Quite a few exhibitors supplied options to scale back waste. Unimaginable Eats featured its line of flavored edible cutlery, together with new straws and sporks made with wheat, corn, oats, brown rice and chickpeas. Wyke Farms unveiled a carbon-neutral cheddar, produced to attenuate waste and packaging, recuperate warmth, filter and reuse wastewater and cut back carbon emissions.
Vine to Bar produces darkish chocolate made with chardonnay marc, a nutrient-rich, naturally candy byproduct of winemaking. Riff is a glowing power beverage made with cascara, a part of the espresso fruit that’s usually discarded.
“Meals waste continues to be actually on the minds of shoppers,” Ms. Purcell mentioned. “We’re anticipating to see extra merchandise utilizing upcycled substances.”
Different intriguing merchandise noticed on the Winter Fancy Meals Present embody freeze-dried gummy bears, a low-carb, high-protein bagel, booze-infused cookies and salted egg yolk snacks. Nopales, the spiky pads of the cactus plant, so revered in Mexican tradition that one seems on the nation’s flag as an emblem of resilience, was a key ingredient in tortilla chips and crunchy snacks on show. A sustainable crop, the nopales cactus thrives in scorching, dry climates and gives fiber and antioxidants. Source
