Definitely worth-mentioning is Neuhaus’s Dark Raspberry Cream introduction. They’re also working on a cuisine (baking) line for introduction Q1 next year. Add to that all-new “modern” packaging, and this fabulous Belgian chocolatier is definitely here to stay for another century or so. For their story, visit www.neuhaus.be.


Breath mints have surely come of age. The new Irony Mints by Hint Mint are designer mints that are 100-percent sugar-free, vegan, and kosher. Available in Peppermint and Chocolate Mint flavors, these hip pocket accessories come in a sleek, black, rectangular, slide-open tin. Packaged in 12 tins per P.O.P. 144 tins per case. For more information, call 800-991-MINT, or visit www.ironymints.com.


It was a breath of fresh air at the Sencha Naturals booth with the release of their Green Tea Mints, breath mints created with organically grown, certified Fair Trade green tea. Unlike mints that merely mask bad breath, these inhibit oral bacteria with their blend of green tea and other supporting herbal extracts. Available in three distinct flavors, including Original, Delicate Pear, and Lively Lemongrass. Each tea container contains 77 ‘loose-leaf mints’ and is sold in a twelve-count single flavor counter display. For more information, call 888-4-SENCHA, or visit www.SenchaNaturals.com.

Mark Avenue Chocolates introduced the 12 Days of Christmas -- a 1.5- pound collection of caramels, clusters, mousse, chocolate-covered cherries, and more. It’s guaranteed to answer the question you always hear during the holidays . . . do you have any hostess gifts? For more information, call 800-706-6275.

E. Guittard is setting the stage with three single-origin varietel chocolates from Madagascar, Venuzuela, and Columbia. Complex chocolate flavors underlie subtle hints of red berry fruit in the Sur del Lago 65 percent Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate. Cacao beans used to make this chocolate were harvested from trees of Criollo and Trinitario heritage in Venezuela’s Sur del Lago region. Made from rare Criollo beans from the fertile Sambirano Valley in Madagascar, Ambanja 65 percent Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate mingles tart essences with deep, rich chocolate flavor. Long, deep, slow chocolate flavors are accented by pleasant hints of spice. The Trinitario cacao beans used to make Chucuri 65 percent Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate were grown in Colombia’s San Vicente de Chucuri Valley of Santander. For details, visit www.guittard.com.


Napa Valley-basedA Perfect Pear, launched two new dessert sauces -- White Chocolate Pear Chardonnay and Chocolate Pear Cabernet Sauce. The alcohol-free sauces made with only natural ingredients, include premium Guittard white and dark chocolates and are sweetened with organic agave nectar. The meld of pear, chocolate, and wine flavors add surprise and sophistication to any dessert. Available in 13-ounce jars. For more information, call 800-553-5753, or visit www.aperfectpear.net.


It was nuts at The Nut Kingdombooth, where they introduced two new flavors of gourmet hazelnut spreads. Oydi Hazelnut Spread with Dark Chocolates uses premium Turkish chocolate for a rich taste and color. It contains thirty-percent hazelnut, twice as much as the leading hazelnut spread. The Oydi Roasted Hazelnut Praline combines hazelnuts and sugar, and is an all-natural baking ingredient perfect for cookies or dessert bars due to its dark color and distinctive scent. Available in 9.52-ounce jars. For more information, call 888-366-NUTS, or visit www.NutKingdom.com.

K.L. Keller Imports is bringing in delicious Fig Cakes from Ecoficus. They have both a traditional fig cake with almonds, and an amazing Chocolate Fig Cake with honey, cinnamon, and almonds. Really great and not too sweet. The whole line from Ecoficus is an organic, family-run business in Extremadura in a place known as “fig village.” The fields are very remote, to avoid the possibility of cross-pollination. The figs are a variety called Calabacita de Almoharin, a finely textured fig with very small seeds. Call 510-839-7890, or send e-mail to klkeller@ix.netcom.com.

Vosges Haut-Chocolateshowed their new line of chic and exotic dark chocolate candy bars. The Woolloomooloo Bar combines slivers of Hawaiian coconut and Australian macadamia nuts with the earthy flavor of hempseed, the Creole Bar is a dark chocolate lover’s dream with dark Intelligentsia Black Cat espresso and New Orleans chicory set in Sao Tome bittersweet chocolate, the Barcelona Bar combines the Marcona almond of Spain with Brittany sea salt, and the Oaxacan Bar features a rich Tanzanie bittersweet chocolate with Oaxacan Guajillo and Pailla chilies. For more information, call 888-301-YUMM, or visit www.vosgeschocolate.com.


After first introducing gourmet pastry products in Australia,Erica’s Kitchenis now bringing them to the U.S. with the debut of Vol au Vents. French for “light as air,” these unique pastry shells are just that -- light, fresh, crisp, and perfect for preparing quick and easy appetizers, lunches, dinners, and desserts. Shelf stable, they require no refrigeration. Available in small, small square, medium, large, and family size packs. For more information, call 925-606-0220, or visit www.unibic.com.


My Grandma’s of New England added two new flavors to their extensive line of homemade coffee cakes -- Chocolate Chip and Red, White and Blue Patriot. The Chocolate Chip is a walnut cake embedded with semi-sweet chocolate morsels in the middle and on the top. The Patriot Cake is a cinnamon no-nut cake with fresh New England blueberries and Cape Cod cranberries baked into the center and on top. Perfect for the 4th of July or Memorial Day celebrations. Certified kosher, with no artificial ingredients. Available in two sizes: large, which serves 16 to 20; and small, which serves 8 to 12. For more information, call 800-847-2636, or visit www.mygrandma.com.

Vitalicious, Inc. introduced their new VitaBrownie, a 100-calorie treat with just one-third the calories and sugar of the average brownie. The two-ounce, single-serve-size brownie is packed with 15 vitamins and minerals and six grams of fiber, making it a healthy and delicious kosher-certified snack option. Available in Deep & Velvety Chocolate flavor and made with wholesome ingredients, including stone ground wheat flour, walnuts, cocoa, soy, and honey. Brownies come packaged four to a box. For more information, call 212-233-6030, or visit www.vitalicious.com.


Tortuga Rum Cake Company introduced A Taste of Florida Rum Cakes in three distinct Florida flavors -- Orange, Coconut, and Key Lime. Using only the finest natural ingredients including 100-percent Florida orange juice, freshly shredded coconut, and Florida key lime juice, each cake is hand glazed with a special five-year-old Tortuga Gold Rum. Heat sealed and vacuum packed for a moist cake with a shelf life of six months or indefinitely if refrigerated or frozen. Available in 16-ounce size or a six-pack tower of 4-ounce cakes, two of each flavor. For more information, call 877-486-7884, or visit www.tortugawholesale.com.

It’s no wonder she’s done it again. In 2003, Fran’s Chocolates won the Most Outstanding Confection award for Gray Salt Caramels. Past NASFT Product Award finalists have included Fran’s Spiced Macadamia Nuts, Pure Raspberry Sauce, Macadamia Gold Bars, and Almond Gold Bites. This year, she took home the little statuette for Fran’s Smoked Salt Caramels, her traditional caramels that are handmade in small batches from fresh butter and rich cream, hand dipped in deep milk chocolate, and topped with smoked sea salt harvested from the coast of Wales. The sweet, complex flavor of Welsh smoked sea salt is the perfect complement to the more subtle tones of 42-percent milk chocolate and sumptuous butter caramel. The innovative and sophisticated Smoked Salt Caramels appeal to both milk and dark chocolate lovers. For more information, call 206-322-0233, or log on to www.franschocolates.com.