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The 21st edition of SIAL brought more than 5,200 exhibitors together from the United States to France to Sri Lanka. New exhibiting countries included Belarus, Finland, Gabon, Latvi, the Pacific Islands, Serbia, and Yemen -- illustrating the common language we all share -- gourmet foods.


Confections
Belgian-based Dolfin Chocolat specializes in combining chocolate with spices and fruits to create intriguing combinations, such as Milk Chocolate with Grilled Almonds, Milk Chocolate with Cinnamon, or Dark Chocolate with Green Aniseed. Available in 19 varieties, the chocolate is wrapped in self-sealing aroma packs. In addition, Neapolitan Squares allow customers to purchase a collection of flavors. New for Dolfin is an extra dark (77-percent cocoa) flaked chocolate for hot chocolate or recipes, or even to sprinkle on ice cream.
Compania Nacional de Chocolates combines its own specialties with 100-percent Columbian Coffee Beans covered in Chocolate Santander's finest chocolate. Chocolate Santander offers a variety of chocolate bars with single-origin chocolate, as well as those with kosher certification.
Reber-Spezialitaten's line of sweetness includes a new Marzipan Bar covered in chocolate, as well as a 12-piece Valentine's box with heart-shaped, chocolate-covered marzipan with hazelnut and pistachio. The collection, which is imported by Niche, will also celebrate Mozart's 250th year in 2006 with a grand tin filled with Kugeln.
Mazet introduced three of its best recipes in a square shape of four ounces of chocolate. The three flavors include Praline Bitter, Palet d'Or, and Pistachios, all packaged in pastel-colored boxes with XXL on the front.

Baked Goods
Sweet snacks without the sugar? Check out Tivit products from Nature Ltd. whose sugar-free snack is composed of peanuts, sesame, soy, and sunflower seeds. Five different snacks are offered from peanut bites to sesame bites that are gluten free, GMO free, and kosher -- and sweetened with Maltitol.
Ines Rosales continues its traditional preparation of olive oil tortas from southern Spain. The delicate and delicious range of Torta de Aceite imported by Mount Vikos is an example of how well traditional European recipes can continue to delight 21st-century gourmands.
And now the tradition of Desobry's biscuits dipped in Belgian chocolate will make its way to U.S. shores as the company is developing a partnership with Canadian-based Midlon Foods, Inc. to create a U.S. division. The Desobry company began making high-quality shortbreads and specialty biscuits in the 1940's. Over the past several years, the company has focused on improving the quality of the biscuits and creating innovative tins.
Walkers has expanded its mince tart range to include the Glenfiddich Mince Tarts. And, new in the Duchy Originals line are Cheese Nibbles, savory cocktail biscuits made with mature organic English Cheddar cheese. Flavors include English Cheddar with rosemary and thyme and Rosemary with mustard.
Elsa's Story highlighted Pastry Bites. These traditional handmade bites packaged in a tetra milk carton box are available in Chocolate, Apple & Cinnamon, Apple Pecan, Dried Fruit, Lemon, and Plum & Raisin varieties.
Dare Foods introduced low-fat Bremner crackers made with sunflower oil that contain zero trans fats. The crackers have no cholesterol and are a delicious and healthy snack when eaten alone or with a topping.

Condiments
Irish-born Lakeshore Fine Foods has a line of condiments running from Dijon-styled mustards to Sticky Hickory Barbecue Sauce. The collection of small batches of handmade condiments offer flavors from American to Mediterranean to Irish. The Irish Stout line made with Guiness is comprised of a Casserole Sauce, Original Chunky Irish Relish, Balsamic Marinade, Tangy Tomato Pickle, and Sweet Irish Apple, Apricot, and Sultana Chutney. Aer Lingus serves Lakeshore's whole-grain mustards on first- and business-class flights.
Colavita USA is rediscovering its gourmet roots with a new vegetable range for the specialty marketplace. Sundried Tomatoes, Hot Chili Peppers, Italian Antipasto, Grilled Eggplant, Artichokes, Asparagus, and Peperonata are all hand-packed in jars and covered with warm Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Italian Products of New Jersey will bring in the fresh and natural Merlano line of 12 pâtes and tapenades from Tenuti di Ferento. The line includes crema di rucola, funghi porcini, and crema di olive e pomodoro. Also available will be a line of Sicilian marmalades sweetened with honey.
From Africa comes two spicy labels. NoMU is a collection of modernly packaged spices and rubs with hip names and fresh ingredients. The collection's 20 rubs packaged in trendy black-and-white tins with a splash of color feature flavors such as Smoky Peri Peri, Masala, and Provencal. The grinder line has funky names the likes of Plucked, One for All, Just Pepper, and African Heat. New for NoMU is an ultra-decadant cocoa and a sugar-free hot chocolate. Also new to the U.S. market is Bandito's Chile Company's Mama Africa's range of 100-percent natural sauces and relishes consisting of three different Chili-vegetable relishes, five different Hot Sauces, Pickled Jalapeno Peppers, and Mild Salsa. Both brands have fun labels with bright colors and are represented by Los Angeles-based Rock Melon. NoMU is also imported by Verve Trading.
Fiddes Payne presented a variety of new spice and herb offerings in innovative packaging. Included in the introductions was a new window tin to optimize the appearance of herbs and spices on the shelf, saffron in a unique square tin, and the new Grind Fresh Spice Mills that include delicious spice blends, such as sea salt with seaweed or salad seasoning, all of which are refillable.
MedBest expanded its Divina retail line to include red and green peppers stuffed with feta cheese. It's made with Kardoula olives from central Greece that have a mildly spicy flavor.
Patak's introduced ready-to-eat mini Pappadums with two dips -- Raita and Sweet Mango.
Kitchen Guru presented individually packaged spices in a collection that will create a recipe, such as Spicy Dal with coriander or Chicken Korma.
Sacla presented its new packaging for its Sacla Italia line. The sauces are packed in jars covered with a sleeve that serves as a billboard to communicate the line's Italian origin. On the inside of the sleeve, recipe suggestions are included for this spoon-and-serve line of Italian specialties.
Geeta's Food Ltd. out of London introduced the Spice and Stir Sauces range of Indian foods. Six new cooking sauces are based on original recipes and include Jalfrezi, Rogan Josh, Saag, Pudina Tikka, Dhansak, and Karai Bhuna. A special blend of favorite spices is packed in a separate container on the top of the jar. Simply cook the spices with the meat, poultry, seafood, or vegetables for a few minutes, then add the sauce, and a delicious Indian meal will be ready in less than 20 minutes.
Providing an original taste for a classic product, Everprosper Food presented Cha Soba green tea noodles, which are buckwheat noodles infused with green tea.
As the balsamic vinegar tradition grows, a couple of the delicious new offerings included a balsamic apple vinegar from Spain-based Envasados. The vinegar is delicious on a salad, or when utilized as a glaze for meat, poultry, or fish. Also newly introduced was a line of Balsamic Vinegars of Modena flavored with fresh fruits such as lemon, orange, forest fruits, and figs that is available from La Collina Toscana.
Mutti from Italy presented tomato vinegar that is ideal for roasted and grilled meats, fish, salads, and vegetables.
From Greece, Papadimitrious introduced Mustard Balsamon, a Mediterranean mustard made with aged Kalamata balsamic vinegar, honey, and extra-virgin olive oil.
Oelicola Hojiblanca introduced a new range of olive oils called Hojiblanca Seleccion. The collection is designed to be used for specific purposes. Each label includes a photo illustration of when to use the oil, such as for breakfast, with fish, meat, or salad and vegetables.

Beverages
The British Aisles imports Belvoir's Presse, a sparkling line of juiced-up beverages that began with a cordial (flavoring syrup) range that includes an organic collection. Now, new Crush is a no-sugar-added, not-from-concentrate, natural beverage with 50 percent whole juices that adds a bright, light refreshment to the line with flavors such as Apple and Quince, Pear and Red Currant, and Ginger and Rhubarb.
H2Olive is a unique new beverage that combines pure mineral water with cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil and olive-leaf extracts with other flavors to offer a new refreshing beverage that nourishes, replenishes, and regenerates. The line includes olive water and white wine twister, olive water with a twist of lychee, olive water rooibos tea with a twist of wood, and olive water with a twist of lychee and pomegranate.
Routin introduced three new flavors for iced tea -- mango, litchi, and grapefruit, along with other flavors such as tiramisu, mojito, and watermelon to expand its growing line of flavoring syrups.

The Deli
Americans may get the chance to celebrate the flavors of the black pig of Portugal's Alentejo region. Casa do Porco Preto from Vila de Barrancos is undergoing the inspection and application process to bring its acorn-fed wild boar that's slow cured in its Mediterranean microclimate to the U.S. The Barrancos Cured Ham PDO was awarded the Coq D'Or 2003/2004.
Already in the U.S. market from Blue & White Company's Sabra line is Tirat Zvi's kosher turkey products, including whole products for the deli, mini kabanos, and frankfurters. Tirat Zvi's Sabra line also includes 13 sliced products in 5-ounce packages. Plans to bring the company's chicken products to the U.S. are underway for 2005.
Industrial Quesera's Rocinante Brand's range of cheeses is currently available through a variety of U.S. importers. Part of the new European Gourmet Products marketing group, the cheese range includes beautiful Manchegos with DO certification. Also in the range is Rocinante's "Drunken Goat" or Queso de Cabra al Vino -- a pasteurized goat's milk cheese soaked in red wine.
Following the success of its Papillon Roquefort cheese, Fromageries Papillon has expanded its pasteurized sheep's milk range with the addition of Camembert, Perail, Caruchon, and Pont l'evec.
Due to the success of the parchment-covered line of Dubliner Irish cheese, Kerrygold is extending its parchment packaged line to include Vintage Irish Cheddar, Lowfat Vintage Irish Cheddar, and Blarney, all in 7-ounce packages.
Union Scaf will focus on promoting the Chevre Chaud line in the U.S. under the Crest brand name. The coated chevre cheese pieces are cooked in 10 minutes when placed in the oven or three minutes when in a pan.
K.H. de Jong has expanded its Masterpiece line of cheeses with DaVinci. To be available in the U.S. by the end of 2004, DaVinci is a cow's milk cheese that is matured for about eight weeks and is mixed with tomato, olives, basil, and olive. Available in a 4.5-kilo wheel, DaVinci joins Rembrant, Vincent, and Modrian in the Masterpiece line.
Making a baguette with Brie is easier than ever when using the new Brie slices from Lactalis. These convenient, precut Brie slices are an ideal way to grab a small snack or to fit in a sandwich without the fuss of cutting each slice.
Atalanta presented their new Gira & Grata Grana Padano in a grater that easily brings all the fragrance and flavor of freshly grated Grana Padano to the table. Each grater containing 250 grams of cheese can be grated whenever needed, without any waste. Simply turn the rotary grater at the bottom to grate and when finished, cover it, and return it to the refrigerator until ready to use again. Great for foodservice or home applications.
Emmi introduced miniCol, a reduced-cholesterol cheese made from milk with nearly all of its dairy fat removed and replaced with a vegetable oil that is high in polyunsaturated fat and plant sterols that are known to reduce cholesterol. Good for use in salads and sandwiches and on salads, miniCol may also be integrated into warm dishes. Available is a 7-ounce Cheddar and a 7-ounce Swiss-style cheese.
Naturenvie presented an organic pasta range called Jardin Biologique that is flavored with quinoa, parsley, and garlic.