LYRA MAG.

Fancy Foods Show/NYC Fruits in all forms-are the savory compliments to a wide category of foods...most notably when paired with cheeses, as a dessert topping or as an unexpected ingredient in a flavorable sauce. Specialty Foods Award nominees include a bunch of exotically flavored jams...many spicy-and tropical fruit flavors. Notably- less- the additives....even the  sweet part of the iconic peanut butter and jelly duo-has gotten more sophisticated...and more natural-meaning no corn syrup sweetness, funky preservatives, or other oddly pronounced, eyebrow arching 'stuff.' Some Highlights: Wild Strawberries  in syrup from Fabbri Fragola  ..in a beautiful jar -eye candy for the kitchen pantry!  Typically a dessert topping...our French side used to have 2-3 of these as an after-meal treat-on its own...with added liquor, of course! Coconut is an 'it' ingredient---and HEY BOO  = "East meets West" Srikaya jam - is delicious on toast, waffles, and w

Fancy Food Show-NYC The all-American staple as it appeared last century is so  old. Even a casual stroll down most grocery stores will turn up peanut butter- now -as bought by more Americans than ever---opting for"natural" (meaning without high fructose corn syrup+hydrogenated oils, or trans fats), USDA certified organic (which is not costly either)...and peanut butter-spread alternatives made from other nut seeds or even tree nut free...mimicking the texture-tho not necessarily the exact taste-tho still tasty (imo). Premium peanut butters will please everyone-kids with gourmet tastes ( increasingly sophisticated palates for the pint sized group), millennials...who trade up and want natural eats,  and adults- who have out grown the ordinary . We are big fans of Peanut Butter&Co. powdered peanut butter ---and this company makes handy squeeze packs (calorie portioned too)--- widely availably Peanut butter&Co. squeeze packs ...come in flavors like Dark C

The  Finger Lakes Wine Alliance   held a downstate event this past week---the 5th Annual Finger Lakes Riesling Launch-introducing press/industry to the newly released (and mostly for sale now or soon ) 2014 Rieslings... from their home region. New to us---this area of planet earth  -is distinguished by four very deep fresh water lakes (Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga), has 115+wineries, 9200 acres of grapes, with 848 acres of those offerings destined for aromatic Rieslings. PLUS... of course---the glacier-sculpted terroir and micro-climates (east and west sun exposures that yield the bold/mineral-y -to-peachy apricot, cold Winters, cool wind swept Springs, sun warmed Falls)-necessary to make these world class wines. Upshot- all were delicious-ranging from Dry to Semi-Dry (most of what we tasted), and a few Medium Sweet and Sweet selections ...based on the  sugar acid scale rating system of the International Riesling Foundation ---  as seen on the back labe

social media handles  How many new products? Grouped by broad categories---needed a map , in a way lol. GARY'S LOFT, NYC---was sunlit and weather perfect for our late afternoon visit ---to 'experience' the vastness of ANNIE'S 2015 product launches-with tasting stations creatively set-up around the spacious locale.  FYI Annie's offerings are retailed in the 'mainstream' aisles as well as on the 'Natural" or "Organic' sections... First impression-good thing we were hungry-AND-how come we don't get any of these healthy eats after finishing long distance triathlons...attention race directors!!!!! SOME HIGHLIGHTS Pictured: new categories such as shelf stable condiments+ salad dressings.  Reminded us of Newman's Own product offerings (business model) and non-profit initiatives --- One of two fav areas----the Certified Organic Soup tastings...fabulous! Love the packaging too---recyclable easy t