Hard to eat just one...
New Trends in Chocolates and Caramels-Single Origin, Sustainable Sourcing, Chunky Fruits + Nuts, Exotic Pairings- Spicy Peppers/Aromatic Herbs/Sea Salts, What's Popular With Consumers, and Retro-Style Treats
Part One
Tastes and food preferences vary around planet earth but one delectable offering-chocolate ---is
practically universally beloved.
At the Fancy Food Show 2015 and other events recently attended -we noticed the aforementioned trends for that most desired sweet...and other gourmand finishes for close cousin, caramels.
Some Highlights:
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| entire tower of chocolate...by Thierry Atlan of Sugar Plumm-a NYC based bistro-macaron-chocolatier. |
Zoë's Chocolate Company is clearly a three generation owned, Pennsylvania based full fledged chocolate PARADISE-crafting richly tasty single flavored Mediterranean inspired selections, mouth watering bars, and a delectable caramel centered collection-with exotic flavors enlightening milk and dark cacao-PLUS overall holiday themed fabulousness.
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| ...only wish this was a trick or treat option Petro's Pumpkin dark chocolate+chewy sea salt caramel |
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| grown up s'mores... |
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| beautifully boxed-good for wedding/party favors...pictured dark, bittersweet and milk chocolates---encasing- Fleur de Sel Caramel, Pinot Noir Caramel, Dark Chewy Sea Salt Caramel, Milk Chewy Sea Salt Caramel |
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| wonderfully dense...with sea salt balanced by chewy sweet caramel... |
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| one of six flavors |
Chunks of fruit and nuts are majorly present...offering texture as well as taste in the
Bar Collection.
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| love-bittersweet chocolate filled with semisweet crispy crushed crepes and generously covered with darkly roasted hazelnuts. |
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| texture+taste Raw Bar-extra dark intense chocolate topped with a sprinkling of roasted cocoa nabs straight from the heart of the cacao tree |
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| flowers are bringing up all over foods as seasonings...the Blossom Bar is delish bittersweet chocolate adorned with totally edible organic dried and crystallized pansies...sweet-crunchy sugar crystals with velvety smooth chocolate |
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| -Zoë's Chocolate Bars are substantial -easily broken up for sharing |
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| from Asher's....old fashioned treats, deeply dark chocolate and milk chocolate enhancing classic pretzels, marshmallows, graham crackers, crispy rice cereal, nuts and Nonpareils - that begged for sampling! Family owned+operated since 1892 |
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| Dagoba=Sanskrit for Temple |
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| Superberry -rich dark chocolate with bits of blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and açai |
DAGOBA Organic chocolate-uses
Rainforest Alliance Certified Cacao-
entirely ! Lucky us-we saw them 2x---in the tradeshow floor and at an Editor Showcase.
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| Lemonberry Zest dark chocolate, lemon essence, blueberries, crystallized ginger 68% cacao... and Orange dark chocolate, orange essence + bits of organic orange- 59%cacao |
From Dagoba-the rich chocolate bars...ranging from bittersweet, semi sweet to fruit and nut flavors...37%-87% cacao content.
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| Dagoba Organic Chocolate XOCOLATL-rich dark chocolate, chiles and nibs-74% cacao inspired by the Aztecs...spicy but not overwhelmingly so... |
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| Eco Bonus Points: Sustainably sourced exhibit!!!! Now part of the Hershey's chocolate family. All chocolates are certified her, USDA organic |
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| SCHARFFEN BERGER CHOCOLATE was another we saw 2x company. YAY...pairs well with wine...in 3 bar choices with that distinctive packaging. |
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| We had two opportunities to taste their debut new flavor, 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate with Raspberries and Sea Salted Almonds...a delectable fruit nut combo that uses 100% certified Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms. In 3 ounce+1 ounce bar. |
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| easy to break off sections... |
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| Scharffen Berger 72% smooth intense Dark Chocolate with tangy Sea Salted chopped Pistachios-crunchy bits and mouth melting chocolate=nice |
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| Also available in 3 ounce+one ounce bars...Cacao Milk Chocolate and Toasted Coconut+Macadamia and Milk Chocolate with Sea Salted Almonds---a Hershey's company---now-and a unique beans to bar company that separates beans by region/country-cleaned + roasted in small batches. Like the best coffee beans too. |
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| Rich deep chocolate with zesty orange... |
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| AMIRA is maybe- a tad under the radar -but this NYSE publicly listed company is acclaimed for it exotic Basmati rices AND...now has organic chocolates. |
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| Mrs. Weinstein's Toffee has fans past (like Julia Child) and present-like us! Part of the Sweet Shop USA company...(like Price's-pictured below)....made in Texas 9 flavors of squares |
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Anette's Chocolates from Napa Valley-a sibling owned entity....has many admirers of this ingredient inventive treat containing actual crispy organic white and yellow tortilla chips, roasted pumpkin seeds, chili de arbol- and natural lime- with a splash of tequila in a brittle---we were looking around for a Corona to pair with it.
Hand crafted and cooked in small batches -all selections have a bit of kick...and would make a nice topping on ice cream as well as straight out of the bag, eating.
Our sample went fast. No wonder it was a 2011 SOFI Gold Winner- Outstanding Snack Food. Also available---Triple Nut Kentucky Bourbon Brittle, Chardonnay Brittle, Micro Brew Beer Brittle, and Micro Brew Fiery Beer Brittle. Fantastic! The company also makes thoroughly indulgent truffles, chocolate bars (Tart Cherry Cabernet Truffle Bar-is one)...and bottled Dessert Toppings-Chocolate Wine and Liqueur Sauces that contain 4.5% alcohol for insta=glam ice cream-or use as a dip for cookies. |
Tried and True...
Flavor choices around its chocolate covered coconut patties
theme are
sweetly addictive-and for
Anastasia Confections-it's the packaging too...reminiscence of those childhood Florida car trips-while growing up in America=fun-retro-!
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| M&Ms can help anyone celebrate any occasion, just about...with 20 custom colors, personalization options including selfies/messages and packaging options galore including candy dispensers. No wonder the Times Square store is so popular. |
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| By occasion, holiday or color...many ways to get your M&Ms on... |
PART 2
Other Fancy Food Show -2015 and Specialty Foods' Posts:
