'GMA' Gets Sneak Preview of Fancy Food Show
By Sara Moulton
A few weeks ago a few of us from the "Good Morning America" food team - Sarah Kunin, GMA's food producer, Karen Pickus, GMA's executive chef/food stylist, and yours truly - went over to the NASFT (National Association for the Specialty Food Trade) offices to get a sneak preview of the hundreds of thousands of products that will be featured at the Fancy Food Show in Washington D.C. this upcoming weekend.
We chatted with Louise Kramer, communications director for the NASFT, about trends, and tasted many of the new products that will make their appearance this year.
Here are some of the trends:
Seeds of all kinds - caraway, poppy, flax, sesame and pumpkin - are popping up all over the place - in crackers, cookies, dressings and sauces
Lavender is a favorite flavoring this year, in vinegars, oils, jams and cheese
Maple is the sweet component in many items - pickles, smoked salmon, duck sausage, fudge and, paired up with bacon in mustard and ale
Beets and Fresh Fennel star in many pickles and relishes
Olive oil for Kids - who knew that kids needed their own brand?
Malt flavor is making a comeback
Ancient Grains are the base of many healthy new products from chips to pasta
Two Popular Flavor Combos continue to appear
- sweet plus salt as in the never ending salty caramel items
- sweet plus hot (chiles), especially chocolate and chiles
Here are some of our favorite new products:
Gluten-free:
Wow Lemon Burst Cookies- moist, chewy, unlike most gluten-free baked goods
Simple Squares Cinnamon Clove Snack Bars-healthy snack made with raw ingredients
Bellows House Gluten-free Brownies
New oil:
Mediterranean Gourmet Argan Oil-would be good in salad dressings and sauces
Vinegar:
O Olive Oil Fig Balsamic Vinegar-sweet, interesting for salads
Coffee Drink:
Simpli Oat Shake-good coffee alternative, non-dairy
Ginger flavor trend:
Fresh Ginger Ginger Ale in Passion Fruit Flavor-unique soda, not too sweet
GinGin Gummy Candies-great texture, good ginger flavor
Tasty Cookie:
Crispy Crepes Sea Salt Caramel Cookies-light and crunchy
Hot Sauce:
KimKim Korean hot sauce-sweet and spicy, very unique hot sauce
Dip:
Stonemill Kitchens 3 Cheese Pepperoncini Dip-spicy and creamy
Cheese:
Uniekaas Truffle Boerenkaas Cheese-raw milk gouda-delicious on own or possibly in mac and cheese
Chocolate:
Eclipse Chocolate Caramel Rocky Road/Sea Salt-gooey and crunchy bar
Madecasse Chocolate with Coffee Nibs, unique flavor, crunchy
Chips:
Way Better Brandsweet Chili Chips-unique flavor