Solutions for TODAY, Planning for TOMORROW

®
MAY 4 – 7 | 2020
Rosemont, IL | Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

ANNOUNCING the 2020

KEYNOTE SPEAKER!
UNRIVALED
Back to Basics: Consumer- in EDUCATION
Focused Food Safety The Food Safety Summit
is dedicated to providing
Over time, food production has moved unrivaled education for food
safety professionals. Our
away from focusing on feeding a family Educational Advisory Board is
unit to feeding millions of servings made up of industry leaders
per week. This shift has forced the representing key food safety
industry to analyze risk matrices, audit industry segments including
compliance and the bottom line. As a Manufacturing, Foodservice,
Regulatory, Academia, Retail
result, are we falling short of what the
and Distribution. This highly
potential is to make safe food? Learn motivated, volunteer group has
firsthand what is impacting food safety prepared an exciting program
Will Daniels policy and how influences like market featuring solutions-based
pressure, consumer knowledge and food presentations from world-class
President,
leaders in food safety!
Produce Division safety incidents are shaping companies’
IEH Laboratories and ability to meet the demands and change
Consulting Group how we do food safety for the future.

Visit www.FoodSafetySummit.com for more details

on our exciting lineup of expert speakers!
Register by March 31st to SAVE $100 off registration fees!
OWNED AND
GOLD SPONSOR SILVER SPONSORS MEDIA PARTNERS PRODUCED BY:

T H E AU T H O R I T Y O N T H E B U S I N E S S O F M E AT A N D P O U LT R Y P R O C E S S I N G
SFWB
A Supplement of BNP Media
 CULINARY
Anne-marie Ramo is a Seattle-based research chef and food writer with more than 25 years of
experience in flavor development. She was director of culinary development for Revolution Foods
PHOTO: GOOD FOOD HOLDINGS, INC./ME TROPOLITAN MARKE T ( W W W.ME TROPOLITAN-MARKE T.COM)

Inc., executive chef of Fork in the Road Foods, LLC, and executive chef for Aidell’s Sausage Co. Ramo
is a regular industry contributor and writer, and co-authored The Great Meat Cookbook (Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt, 2012). Read more of her articles at www.preparedfoods.com. You may contact her
at aramo@me.com.

FIRST PERSON Q&A

THE CROSS-CULTURAL POLLINATION OF GLOBAL
CUISINES IS GE T TING AN E X TRA PUSH VIA
ME AL SERVICES THAT OFFER AUTHENTIC
E THNIC DISHES.

But this is where the marriage of

meal kits with brick-and-mortar retail
sites offers considerable advantages. In
the case of Metropolitan Market, the
ability to have a substantially reduced
concern about lengthy shelf life allows
it to maintain meal kits that have a
shelf life of only a few days once they’re
assembled and distributed to stores. Prepared Foods’ First Person Q&A
“Our decision to offer 15- to is an exclusive interview series involving
30-minute kits with pre-cut vegetables food company R&D professionals,
and pre-marinated meats decided the
nutritionists, research chefs and
shelf life for us,” admits Osser. “The
vegetables in many of the kits are also other industry experts.
pre-marinated, which makes them
ready to stir right into a hot pan. We’re
able to send kits three days per week
to keep them fresh and keep an eye on
movement to decrease shrink.”
Still, even copious research and testing
can’t guarantee success, especially in
the currently volatile meal kit arena. “It
was very easy to come up with concepts,
but we were all surprised by some of the
best sellers,” admits Osser. “Some of the
PREPAREDFOODS.COM
development team’s absolute favorite kits
just didn’t sell on the shelf.” pf

First person q&a island NEW HI-RES.indd 1

JANUARY 2020 • PREPAREDFOODS.COM • 49
BETTER FOR FORM+FUNCTION

ADDING ADAPTOGENS
Isagenix International, Gilbert, Ariz., says it created
BĒA—a ready-to-drink beverage whose name stands for
“botanical energy plus adaptogens”—to both energize
and nourish the body.
“After analyzing the energy drink market, we
identified a strong need for a healthier caffeinated
beverage, and BĒA delivers,” says Joshua Plant,
PhD, Isagenix chief science officer and chairman
of the company’s scientific advisory board.
“Consumers can now boost their energy levels
more naturally with ingredients that are a step up
from what you typically find in this drink category. This is tremendously important given
so many people are paying close attention to what they put into their bodies.”
Available in a Berry Bellini flavor, BĒA has 125mg of naturally sourced caffeine from
green tea and is made with raw nutrients and vitamins sourced from fruits and vegetables
including beets, spinach, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, oranges, apples, strawberries,
and maitake and shiitake mushrooms. It also features botanical antioxidants as well as
adaptogens, such as ashwagandha, that can help fight stress. PLANT PROTEIN—PLUS
“Another factor that sets BĒA apart is it has 10 calories, less than 1g of sugar, and no OATH Global Holdings, New York, says its
artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners,” Plant adds. “Consumers can enjoy this drink new OATH Organic Oat-Milk with Plant
without feeling bad about what’s in it.” Protein is the first market off ering with
15-16g of protein and 6-10g of fiber. The
Although customers can purchase BĒA directly from Isagenix, the company product is available in four fl avors: Double
recommends ordering through independent distributors. Preferred customer pricing is Chocolate, Matcha Chai, Indian Rose, and
$39.99 for a 12-pack, and 5% of all profits help the ISA Foundation—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Golden Turmeric.
organization operated by Isagenix—provide healthy nutrition and support to underserved
children, wellness education for all, and aid for those affected by natural disasters. “Andy (Khiani), my co-founder, and I
share a passion for food that is so delicious,
it feels like a cheat treat, yet is super
healthy, it adds to your wellbeing,” says
Founder Royce Pinkwater. “Together, after
PLANT STEROLS almost two years of tasting and testing, we
Way2B LLC, Minneapolis, describes its line created this in a grab-and-go format that
of new Way2B Way Better Water Drinks as works for anyone, anywhere, at any time.”
functional, plant-based water beverages. Pinkwater says the organic oat milks
Co-Founder and CEO Simona Huskova harness the power of “plants with a
says Way Better Water Drink is powered promise” to deliver functional health
by premium plant sterols, through a benefi ts. She says OATH utilizes atypical
proprietary, industry-first water-soluble proteins like almonds, pumpkin seeds, and
solution, which is tasteless and odorless. oats. Additional ingredients include natural
Each bottle of Way Better Water Drink apple fiber (for sweetening), spices and
contains one of the two recommended botanicals including saff ron, ginger, and
doses of sterol, providing a convenient cardamom.
way for consumers to increase their sterol Officials note, meanwhile, that all OATH
consumption. drinks are organic, vegan, kosher and
Huskova says plant sterols are ethically sourced with no gums, dairy, soy,
clinically proven to provide numerous gluten, processed sugars or GMO’s.
health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol levels, supporting cardiac health, prostate The 12oz drinks are available at select
health, liver function and collagen maintenance. stores throughout the New York City metro
“We’re creating a new, universal standard and a better Way2B for people everywhere,” region. To celebrate the launch, OATH
says Huskova, “Way2B intends to transform the global health and wellness marketplace, is partnering with LA-based optimistic
making a difference with healthy, functional consumer products.” lifestyle label, Madhappy, as the brand’s
exclusive beverage partner at their pop-up
Way2B Way Better Water Drink comes in four all-natural flavors: Lemon, Orange, Berry, location in SoHo, New York through January
and Plain. The product is available in single-serve, 12-fluid-oz bottles in the grocery store 2020. Officials say both brands “are
refrigerated section for $3.49- $3.99 and at Amazon.com in six-packs for $22.79. It is rooted in promoting a healthy mindstate
available in individual-serving bottles at Lunds & Byerlys and Cub Foods stores throughout while creating premium products and
the Twin Cities metro, and at Amazon.com through their Launch Pad program. experiences with overall wellbeing in mind.”

JANUARY 2020 • PREPAREDFOODS.COM • 51

 Better for
PHO T O COUR TESY OF: SHU T T ERS T OCK

THE SKIN
CONSUMERS INCREASINGLY are participation in the nearly A NUMBER OF FOODS AND
seeking food and beverage $1 billion nutricosmetic NUTRIENT S ARE BECOMING
INCRE ASINGLY RECOGNIZ ABLE

YOU’RE IN
products that promise to
promote “beauty from
within.” The ingredients
When it comes to
that can help fulfill that
the outside, it’s
promise (sometimes known
what’s inside
as cosmeceuticals or
that counts.
nutricosmetics) are the key
by LESLIE LEVINE, components in many func-
Contributing Editor tional foods and beverages.
As consumer awareness
continues to grow regarding
wellness and preventative
self-care, food and beverage
makers are expanding their
P O IN T S
industry. These trends are
part of the robust healthy
overall aging market as well.
Persons seeking to
maintain and even improve
their outside through nutri-
tion focus on ingredients,
especially those associated
with such claims, with more
than the usual scrutiny. They
want to know what’s good
for them, are extra cautious
about what might have the
potential to harm them, and
FOR ENHANCING SKIN HE ALTH.
what science supports these
ingredients’ efficacy.
The first — and foremost
— emphasis when it comes
to beauty from within is the
largest organ of the human
body, the skin. With an aging
population comes aging skin
that turns loose, wrinkled,
and saggy. Clear and supple
“youthful” skin is the goal,

Sales of so-called “beauty from within”
foods and beverages continue to grow,
based in part on the high appeal to an
aging population that remains active and
concerned about the appearance of health
as well as health itself.
Keeping up appearances when it comes to
the skin we’re in is a billion-dollar business
for food and beverage products that support
outer health. Consumers are demonstrating
that natural approaches and clean eating are
increasingly favored over pills and potions for
countering the effects of aging on looks.
Ingredients for beautiful and healthy
skin, hair, and nails need not necessarily
be marketed as such. The comprehensive
health benefits of compounds that protect
cells from assaults of UV radiation,
pollutants, and other assaults apply to the
whole body.

52 • PREPAREDFOODS.COM • JANUARY 2020


and dryness and wrinkles are
the archenemies.
More than ever,
knowledgeable and
demanding consumers
are driving expansion in
the beauty-from-within
market. According to the
2019 HealthFocus US
Trend Study, which tracked
consumer motivations,
perceptions, and beliefs
around health and nutrition,
BETTER FOR
LIPID-SOLUBLE NUTRACEUTICALS
SUCH AS CURCUMIN
ARE AVAIL ABLE FOR
WIDER APPLICATION IN
MICROENCAPSUL ATED FORMS
THAT ARE HIGHLY SOLUBLE
WITH NO IMPAC T ON FL AVOR
AND AROMA.
keep skin healthy and
youthful. And the richer
the color of the fruit the
more concentrated those
phytochemicals. In addition

PHOTO COURTESY OF: LIPOFOODS SLU ( W W W.LIPOFOODS.COM)

the percentage of consumers to the aforementioned fruits,
choosing foods and beverages more exotic types that fit
to maintain a youthful this category are gaining
appearance is growing. increased attention from
product makers.
PRODUCING BEAUTY Such fruits as açai and
Consumers already know how pomegranate are being joined
important fruits and vegeta- by the likes of aronia berries,
bles are for overall health, and camu-camu, and mulberries as
increasingly are encountering sources for health-enhancing
the idea that produce and compounds. This identifi-
plant-based eating could be cation of purple as Nature’s
associated with enhancing symbol of nutraceutical power and dandelion leaves, are UV exposure, a study
physical appearance. Such has extended in recent years rich in biotin, a B vitamin published in 2018 in Skin
ingredients, with their to vegetables, spurring such known to support hair and Pharmacology and Physiology
plentiful antioxidants and ingredients as purple pota- nail health. Biotin also helps found that an ingestible
year-round availability, are toes, purple sweet potatoes, support cardiovascular health, carotenoid-rich tomato nutri-
known to help nourish purple corn, and even purple and better circulation is a ent complex allows for the
skin naturally. cabbage and kale to grow necessity when it comes to proper nourishment of body
Red and purple fruits like significantly in popularity. physical appearance too. and skin and also balances
blueberries, blackberries, Purple and red aren’t skin’s response to UV rays.
strawberries, cherries, and the only colors of produce HOT TOPICS Another study, published
plums contain concentrated that signal glowing health While most consumers asso- last year in the science journal
amounts of such antioxidant benefits. Dark greens, such ciate topical sunscreens with Nutrients, also pointed to
phytochemicals that help as kale, spinach, arugula, protection against harmful the importance of dietary
carotenoid compounds in
skin health and appearance.
Researchers specifically
SLEEP WELL noted the emerging roles
Sleep plays an important role in good skin health, and without proper rest the complexion can take and applications of the UV
on unwanted characteristics like dark circles, dryness, and redness. During sleep, the body is busy
removing dead cells and clearing the pathways for new synapses so that new blood and brain cells can radiation-absorbing colorless
replace the old ones. Lack of sleep leads to skin becoming imbalanced, which results in a dehydrated carotenoids phytoene and
complexion. phytofluene.
While millions of people flock to over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids, many consumers Astaxanthin, a rich red
are demanding more natural solutions for getting the rest they need. Botanicals such as black carotenoid derived from
cohosh, mimosa, passionflower, and St. John’s Wort all have been used in natural sleep aids, alone
microalgae, also is well-rec-
and in combination. Tart cherries, especially tart cherry juice, is another natural sleep aid that is
high in melatonin — the so-called “sleep hormone” — as well as anthocyanins, powerful antioxidant ognized for its support of
compounds that help protect against aging and disease. healthy skin. Used in many

JANUARY 2020 • PREPAREDFOODS.COM • 53

 BETTER FOR
PhytoPin

PHO T O COUR TESY OF: GEL I TA AG ( W W W.GEL I TA.COM )

COLL AGEN IS THE PROTEIN THAT MAKES
UP THE MA JORIT Y OF SKIN AND CONNECTIVE
TISSUES, AND DIETARY COLLAGEN PEPTIDES
HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO SUPPORT HEALTHY
SKIN AND HAIR.
topical creams and ointments for years,
it recently has benefited from studies
demonstrating that it does its work from
inside the body as well.
Consumers have long been aware of
the dangers of excess UV radiation from
the sun and are accustomed to purchas-
ing products that can help reduce their
chances of getting skin cancer. Omega-3
fatty acids, carotenoids (especially
vitamin A and astaxanthin, as well as
lycopene and lutein), and hyaluronic acid
(found in abundance in citrus fruits)
have all been associated with improved
skin health.
DRINK IT IN
With research by the NDP Group
revealing that some 25% of American
adults are trying to manage a health or
medical condition through their diet, it’s
no surprise that the market for “elixirs”
promoting glowing skin also continues
to grow. Many of these drinkables
target those DNA-damaging oxygen
free radicals that are generated by UV
radiation assaults.
Vegetable and fruit juices and
smoothies are experiencing continued
impressive sales growth, primarily due to
their healthful cachet, and labels often
broadcast their antioxidant benefits.
For example, the combination of carrot
and beet juices is especially favored for
healthier skin.
Beetroot is packed with potassium,
zinc, iron, folic acid, manganese, and
vitamin C, all nutrients that contribute
to good skin. Carrots’ protective
properties include beta-carotene, which is
converted to vitamin A, which as noted
above protects against UV damage, slows
signs of aging, and helps repair damaged
skin tissue.
One example of a trendy beauty-
from-within beverage is Kayco/Kedem
Food Products Inc.’s Wonder Melon
beverage, which promises to deliver a

PRIME PREMIXES
Recently published research indicates that vitamins, provitamins, minerals, and
phytochemicals work together synergistically, so that the finished product is both healthy
and available in convenient “packaging.” Premixes with antioxidant ingredients such as
vitamins E and C, biotin, and B-complex vitamins alongside other phytochemicals are
well-suited for use in applications such as chews, gummies, bars, foods, and beverages.
Reliable ingredient suppliers can help manufacturers develop customized premixes that
address specific needs.

54 • PREPAREDFOODS.COM • JANUARY 2020

Bestevia Taste Solutions
®
BETTER FOR
bounty of antioxidants, vitamins, and
minerals associated with eye, skin, and
hair health as well as sun protection,
weight loss, nerve function maintenance,
and inflammation reduction. Currently,
56 • PREPAREDFOODS.COM • JANUARY 2020
it’s available in Spicy Watermelon
Lemon Cayenne, and Cool Watermelon
Cucumber Basil varieties.
Green tea is an excellent source of
antioxidants, especially flavonoids —
potent antioxidants that can reduce free
radicals. Beverage manufacturers have
been fortifying products with matcha
(Japanese green tea powder), epigallo-
catechin gallate (EGCG) based on the
overall health benefits of the different
antioxidant compounds in green tea, but
have not specifically targeted beauty.
NUTS ABOUT BEAUTY
Nuts already have earned their health
food badge for their concentration of
protein, unsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins,
and minerals. Research is bringing them
recognition as beauty aids as well. For
SOME ONE IN FOUR AMERICAN
ADULTS ARE TRYING TO
MANAGE A [SPECIFIC]
HEALTH OR MEDICAL
CONDITION THROUGH
THEIR DIET, ACCORDING TO
THE CONSUMER RESEARCH
FIRM NDP GROUP.
example, a daily handful of almonds was
shown to boost skin health.
In a pilot study conducted by
dermatologists at the University at
California-Davis, 28 healthy, postmeno-
pausal women with Fitzpatrick skin
types 1 or 2 (a skin type characterized
by increased tendency to burn with
sun exposure) consumed 20% of their
daily calories from either almonds or a
calorie-matched nut-free snack (cereal
bar, energy bar, pretzels).
After 16 weeks, high-resolution
photographic image analysis showed
that women in the almond group had
significant reductions in wrinkle severity
(9%) and width (10%) compared to the
control group. There were no significant
changes in skin barrier function
between the groups.
 THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE AT…
PREPAREDFOODS.COM

web exclusive research and

videos infographics webinars
content trends
 BETTER FOR
PHO T O COUR TESY OF: P Y URE BR A NDS, L L C ( W W W.P Y URE.COM );
According to Raja
Sivamani, MD, an
integrative dermatologist
and lead researcher on the
study, the results suggest
that daily consumption of
almonds could play a role in
reducing wrinkle severity in
post-menopausal women.
Almonds are often cited by
consumers as their “number
one” nut for good health, as
they are nutritious, provide
energy, and, assist in manag-
ing weight and maintaining
heart health. Almonds, in
their many forms, are an
ideal ingredient for “beauty
food” product formulations
because they offer fatty acids,
polyphenols, and antioxidant
nutrients such as vitamin E
and selenium.
A 2018 S TUDY REPORTED IN
JAMA DERMATOLOGY SUGGESTED
HIGHER CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION,
ESPECIALLY FROM COFFEE, WAS
ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED
RISK OF DEVELOPING THE SKIN
DISORDER ROSACEA.
58 • PREPAREDFOODS.COM
THE MATRIX
Many women of a certain
age may recall their mothers
revealing a beauty secret
that came in a package of
Knox gelatin (now owned by
Kraft Foods, Inc.). Promoted
as a way to look beautiful
and have strong hair and
nails, this little packet of
• JANUARY 2020
A HEALTHY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM,
SUPPORTED WITH PREBIOTIC
FIBERS AND PROBIOTIC
BAC TERIA THAT THRIVE ON THEM
NOT ONLY ENHANCES IMMUNIT Y
BUT CONTRIBUTES TO OVERALL
HE ALTH AND APPE ARANCE.
powder could be considered
a precursor product to the
beauty-from-within category.
Gelatin is a well-known
source of collagen, the
structural protein found in the
connective tissues of the body.
It forms the extracellular matrix
and makes up about 80% of
the skin’s dry mass. Collagen
is commonly included in
formulations as smaller chains
of amino acids called hydrolyzed
collagen peptides.
Dietary collagen has been
shown to help slow down
the skin-aging process and
mitigate the effects of these
various assaults on the skin.
Gelatin and hydrolyzed
collagen peptides are typically
applied in powdered form.
It comes as a flavorless,
colorless, and odorless soluble
powder, making it an excellent
ingredient for a variety of food
and beverage formulations.
Collagen reduces the
appearance of wrinkles, and
pairs well with vitamin C,
a nutrient necessary for the
production and formation
of collagen and the collagen
matrix that supports skin.
Vitamin C also helps reduce
inflammation.
A study published in 2019
in the Journal of Drugs in
Dermatology examined the
efficacy of using collagen
to enhance skin quality,
its anti-aging benefits, and
potential application in
medical dermatology. The
study’s researchers reviewed
literature and assessed
available randomized-
controlled trials in an effort
to fill the gap between the
heavy use of nutraceuticals such
as collagen for skin care and the
lack of regulations on quality,
absorption, and efficacy.
PHO T O COUR TESY OF: REBBL INC. ( W W W.REBBL.CO)
 BETTER FOR
After reviewing eleven studies with collagen and elastin — from oxidative in the body that become corrupted by
a total of 805 patients, the researchers and inflammatory damage. Studies have interacting with sugar molecules. AGEs
concluded that in two of the studies, use shown curcumin can aid in countering are a known a factor in aging as they
of collagen tripeptides resulted in notable the effects of advanced glycation species interfere with the regulation of gene
improvement in skin elasticity and hydra- (AGEs), molecules of fat or protein expression of receptors in the cells.
tion. Another study in which collagen
dipeptides were administered suggested
that anti-aging efficacy is proportionate to
collagen dipeptide content.
The mineral calcium, while important Cooking up a story with our
for building and maintaining the skeletal
framework upon which healthy and beauti- ingredients and your secret recipe
ful skin is draped also plays a role in the
structure of skin itself. Calcium is needed
to add support to the collagen framework Consumers are reading labels and want to know your
that underpins the layers of skin. The form
product story. AIDP, Inc. provides whole food, clean
of calcium within these matrices is calcium
phosphate, demonstrating that phosphorous
label alternatives to many mainstream ingredients, while
also is a key mineral in skin health. maintaining product integrity and production functionality.
Let’s cook up a good story!
GOOD FATS
Essential fatty acids, such as omega 3 and
omega 6, protect all cells from oxidation
damage, and this applies to skin as well.
Highly stable natural
But lipid-based nutraceuticals also help prebiotic to optimize flora
as emollients to help support suppleness
and minimize the appearance of age. Clean-label, nutrient-dense
Ingredients that are good sources of resistant starch from green Fiber-rich complex
omega oils include fatty fish, walnuts, banana flour carbohydrate for raw, vegan
and gluten-free applications
chia seeds, and flaxseeds. Fatty fish such
as salmon, of course, are excellent sources
of omegas, as are avocados and olives.
Avocados have enjoyed a boom in
popularity (avocado toast, anyone?) and
avocado oil is a new favorite of snack
chip and cracker makers, with its flavor
and nutrient profile so close to olive
oil. Avocados also are a good source
of vitamins C, E, K, and B6, as well as
riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, Alginates
magnesium, and potassium. Sustainably produced, vegan
Other lipid-soluble nutrients associated solution for texture and
stability
with better health for the wrapper we all
come in include not only the carotenoids
but curcumin. This powerful compound
most commonly derived from turmeric
Your Trusted Partner
has strong anti-inflammatory properties
as well as its superior antioxidant capacity.
Recent research has indicated curcumin Plant-Based Solutions for Healthy Living
can help delay skin aging by protecting
skin’s structures and proteins — including

JANUARY 2020 • PREPAREDFOODS.COM • 59

 BETTER FOR
ALMONDS AND OTHER TREE NUTS ARE REPLE TE WITH MINERALS,
PROTEIN, AND HEALTHFUL FATS THAT ALL CONTRIBUTE TO A
HEALTHY GLOW.
PHO T O COUR TESY OF: BL UE DIA MOND GROWERS ( W W W.BL UEDIA MOND.COM )

Coupled with improved ingredient technology, the

ingredients that support health from the inside out are offering
processors more opportunities to combine proven ingredients
into products. Such products, while inclusive of whole-body
benefits, can be applied successfully toward serving the
booming market catering to staving off the effects and
appearance of aging. pf

Leslie Levine is a regular contributor and author of

Including such lipid-based ingredients as curcumin in
water-based beverages has become easier due to technological
advances in microencapsulation. These new encapsulated lipid
compounds are colorless, flavorless, and highly soluble. Vitamins
A, D, and E also are available in microencapsulated formats.
Will This Place Ever Feel Like Home? Simple Advice for
Settling in After You Move; Ice Cream for Breakfast:
If You Follow All the Rules, You Miss Half the Fun; and
Wish It, Dream It, Do It: Turn the Life You’re Living into
the Life You Want. She has contributed to multiple
food and beverage publications, as well as The New
York Times, Chicago Tribune, Woman’s Day,
and others. Look for other articles by Levine on PF’s website,
www.preparedfoods.com. She can be reached at leslie@leslielevine.com.

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60 • PREPAREDFOODS.COM • JANUARY 2020

 152 Tips, Tactics and Trends from the Most Memorable New Products
Discover the most successful launch strategies used
by top-tier consumer product companies and how you
Y can implement them into your own Launch Plan!
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’Tis the
Seasonings
Herbs, spices, and flavorings add
adventure, taste, health, and color
N
by STEPHEN KALIL,
Contributing Culinary Editor
NOW THAT the annual season of pumpkin
spice, peppermint hot chocolate, and
other holiday flavors of fall and winter
has passed, research chefs and product
developers are gearing up to embrace
the food and flavor trend predictions
for the new year. Eager to mine those
predictions for nuggets of inspiration
that will lead to new ideas and flavor
profiles, chefs strive to please an
increasingly adventurous, yet demand-
ing, consumer.
The 2010s delivered an expansive
consumer awareness of, and attraction
to, North African and Middle Eastern
flavors. Spices and flavor blends such as
za’atar, sumac, harissa, dukkha, and ras
al hanout abounded. At the same time,
the decade also saw significant growth
in consumer interest in the regional
cuisines of Southeast Asia, which
helped reinforce the applications of
62 • PREPAREDFOODS.COM • JANUARY 2020
lemongrass, kaffir lime, and tamarind
in foods and beverages.
At the same time, Southeast Asian
culinary traditions have been introduc-
ing US consumers to jackfruit, durian,
and banana blossoms, as well as more
exotic versions of familiar spices, such as
Kampot pepper (a Cambodian cultivar of
black pepper) and shishito chili peppers.
Turmeric is another example of a
fast-trending spice that is entering this
decade as a household word. Prized not
only for its flavor contribution to Indian
and South East Asian foods, turmeric
also is widely praised and sought after
for its anti-inflammatory properties.
The recent burst of interest in the
exotic spices of South Asian cuisine is
driving renewed interest in coriander,
fenugreek, cumin, and cardamom.
Cardamom has been utilized liberally
and extensively in the East, Middle
East, and Africa. It is a common
infusion in Turkish coffee and a major
spice flavoring for grilled meats such
as shawarmas. Known as the “queen
P HO T O C OUR T E S Y OF: MIL NE MICRODRIED ( W W W.MIL NEMICRODRIED.C OM )
of spices” and originating in southeast
India, cardamom was brought into
Northeastern Europe and Scandinavia
by the Vikings. That makes cardamom
unique in the US, where it is associated
with two vastly different but equally
vibrant culinary cultures.
Cardamom is an indispensable spice
in many Swedish and Danish pastries.
It also is a key spice in Indian chai, the
spiced tea that has experienced ongoing
popularity in the West for years. The
westward migration of authentic cuisines
that are fueled by cardamom, cumin and
other spices has both stimulated greater
interest in these spices and extended
their use into other cuisine styles.
AROMATIC AWARENESS
Another spice that is straddling several
completely different food cultures
is fennel. It is used in Indian curry
dishes, Middle Eastern seasoning
blends, and Western European foods,
especially Italian cuisine. Rarely used
in this country outside of those dishes,
 FRUIT POWDERS CAN BE USED AS
SEASONING TO CREATE A VARIE T Y OF
SWEE T TO SAVORY FL AVORS. A MIDWES T
POPCORN RE TAILER USED S TRAWBERRY
POWDER AND GRANULES TO CRE ATE A
SUMMERTIME POPCORN FL AVOR WITH
A BOLD, SLIGHTLY TART S TRAWBERRY
TAS TE. THE FRUIT SEASONING IS
READY-TO-EAT AND CLEAN L ABEL WITH
NO ADDED SUGAR, COLOR OR
PRESERVATIVES FOR NATURAL FL AVORS.

JANUARY 2020 • PREPAREDFOODS.COM • 63


ANOTHER SOURCE OF NEW FLAVOR ADVENTURE CAN
BE FOUND IN GOURMET SALTS.
possibly due to its strong licorice
flavor (it is a relative of anise
and the root bulb of the plant
often is mislabeled as anise), the
popularity of fennel root among
American chefs a generation
ago opened domestic palates
to all things fennel. The
versatile spice is a mainstay
of Ayurvedic and Traditional
Medicines for its purported
health benefits, especially as an
aid for digestion.
Fennel seed — and, in
fact, other powerful aromatic
seeds such as cumin and
caraway — are best when
slightly toasted before use to
release the volatile oils that
carry their flavors and aromas.
They also should be ground
from whole seed immediately
before using, as pre-grinding
causes those same volatile
64 • PREPAREDFOODS.COM
PHO T O COUR TESY OF: KIKKOMAN CORP. ( W W W.KIKKOMAN.COM)
SEASONINGS ARE ABOUT MORE
THAN HERBS AND SPICES;
EXTRACTS, ELIXIRS, FRUIT AND
VEGETABLE POWDERS, AND
CONDIMENTS ALL CONTRIBUTE TO A
FLAVOR SYMPHONY.
compounds to dissipate ingredient in Italy for
rapidly. (Dried peppercorns centuries,” notes Vito Gnazzo, in his rural property back
also benefit from grinding just chef of The Leopard at des in Salerno. The flowers
prior to use.) Artistes in Manhattan. “The are placed in cloth bags
Fennel pollen is making wild fennel flower is basically to prevent moisture from
a comeback as a way to add a dot of yellow pollen on the collecting and creating mold.
a burst of fennel flavor with end of a small stem, sur- After harvesting, the flowers
virtually no prep. It is more rounded by miniscule petals, are carefully spread on wide
costly than fennel seed, but a almost too small to notice.” wooden boards lined with
little goes a long way. “Fennel Gnazzo harvests his butcher paper in a well-
pollen has been a treasured own fennel pollen by hand aerated, dry room.
SPICE SOURCE
Unlike with most other food products, the term “locally sourced” for spices is counterintuitive. Whereas
it is easy in the US to get fresh or hydroponically grown herbs, as well as garlic, onions, paprika, and
mustard seed, and Canada provides coriander and caraway, most spices are outsourced, and typically
from developing countries. India is a country of origin for black pepper, turmeric, celery seed, and cumin;
cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla are provided by Indonesia; ginger and sesame seed largely comes from
China; and chili peppers typically come from Mexico. Today’s consumer wants to know what herbs and
spices are in a product and where they come from. Consumers as well as manufacturers have become highly
conscientious about where spices originate, how they’re handled, and the impact their sourcing is making on
people and the environment. The source and narrative of ingredients are highly important. Professionals in
food, whether research chef or food scientist, are tasked with being more knowledgeable than the consumer
as to the qualities, attributes, and specifications of the food product ingredients being used.
• JANUARY 2020