Flavor Overload: 5 Themes From Summer Fancy Food Show ’24

At the Summer Fancy Food Show, I stuck my tongue out so you can have a hit list. A combination of trends and good flavors, I hope this recap has you inspired. Caveat: I’m a savory taster over sweet, so if you are looking for sweet trends this list is not for you.

Spiced Up
Flavor profiles were hot on heat, from fresh green jalapeno to habanero and Italian Calabrian chilis, to Indian and Asian curry seasoning. There was more flavor and more heat in almost every category.

• Auria’s Malaysian Kitchen Vegan Hot Chili Sambal made with shiitake mushroom powder.
• Blake Hill Preserves Mango Pineapple Habanero Spicy Chili Jam, exactly what the name says, loads of flavor.
• Natural Blonde’s Spicy Blonde Bloody Mary mix is unique with yellow tomatoes.
• Ines Rosales All Natural Oven Baked Crackers with cocoa and cayenne pepper.
• Squeezed Juice in Power Flavor, a blend of matcha, spinach, and jalapeno.
• Old Bones Chili Co Jalapeno Sauce: every one of their hot sauces was delicious, but I leaned toward the Jalapeno sauce.

Sweet as Honey
Honey was flowing this year. From being used as a sweetener instead of false sugars to flower-specific options, honey was a hit.

• Honey B’s Sparkling Honey Drink is made with 100% Natural Australian honey.
• Green Bee Honey Soda, loved the extra bite of the Honeybomb Cider flavor.
• Natharvest Sweet and Sour Stingless Bee Honey sourced from the tropical rainforests of Borneo Island in Malaysia.
• Taylor Pass Honey Co Mānuka Honey Pops & Drops, leveraging fully traceable Mānuka honey from New Zealand.
• Egmont Honey and Wild Cape Honey offer New Zealand Mānuka Honey.
• Apihaus Honey & Propolis Lozenges, high in vitamins, no garbage ingredients.
• The Casa Market: loads of flower-specific honey, but I loved the deep flavor and touch of bitterness of the Avocado.

Better for You
Many beverages and snacks lowered the salt and sugar, used fewer ingredients, and added more protein and better-for-you grains. This theme also includes more seeds and nuts used in everything from granolas and bars to protein balls (so many date/nut balls).

• Ceybon AF: their first time at Fancy Food. We’ve told you a ton about this product but we love it alone, with soda water, or mixed for more of a cocktail feel.
• Fresh Fizz Soda: using date and honey for sweetness and unique flavors like ginger hibiscus.
• Hakko Cleanse by Yuki Tanaka, a Japanese fermented drink made from 32 types of wild herbs, 19 types of vegetables, 2 types of mushrooms, and 9 types of fruits.
• Freekeh Harvest Protein Pita Chips a nutrient-rich, vegan snack.
• Quillo Gourmet Potato Chips in Foie Gras, Black Garlic & Vinegar, and Aged Manchego Cheese flavors.
• Afar Savory Bars in country-specific flavors from Italy to India.
• Diggables Buckwheat Puffs, a gluten-free complete protein alternative to standard puffs.
• Simply Vegan Seeds & Dates are high in protein and contain no added sugar, salt, or flavors.
• For Good Granola, tons of seeds and real fruit, no oats.
• Purposefuel Snack Bites going outside of the date ball with a mango turmeric flavor.
• Cravers are nutritious crunchy hazelnut balls.
• Struesli Granola, the Savoy + Seed is a great topping on anything from yogurt to salad.
• Joyfull Bakery Seeded Parmesan Crackers

Collagen Protein
From jelly sticks and gummies to ingredients in drinks, collagen is an ingredient I didn’t notice in years past. It’s a power protein on the rise.

• Wellinus Collagen Full Sticks, available in flavors like pomegranate, mango, and blueberry.
• Freshbell Collagen Sticks and Gummies, with no added sugar, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
• Pretty Tasty served up collagen in canned teas and tea powders.

Game Time
We are talking about game meats here. These meats are lean, from animals not on the big industrial farms, and pack a lot of extra flavor.

• Driftless Provisions Handcraft Salami, a Good Food Award Winner, has the classics but also does a beautiful Venison Salami Picante, Elk Cacciatore, and Bison Landjaeger.
• Fossil Farms specializes in high-quality farm-raised game and wild meats like Wild Boar, Lamb, and Venison.
• Angel’s Salumi & Truffles works with Bison, Duck, Elk, Wild Boar, and Venison Salami; as well as Duck Breast Prosciutto and whole leg Wild Boar Prosciutto.

Other stuff I tasted that was just delicious.

• Xilli: region-specific Mexican salts, I already ordered the Oaxacan.
• Clif Family Farms Organic Meyer Lemon Marmalade #clientlove
• JQ Dickinson Ramp Salt and Applewood Smoked Salt, ordered both.
• Effie’s Homemade Biscuits in hazelnut and gruyere flavors.
• Treehouse Naturals, pecan milk.
• Vallillo Olio Extra Vergine Olive Oil nice packaging, too.
• Arya Modern Indian Kitchen Roti Wraps, multigrain, loads of flavor and aroma, I loved the Golden Curry flavor.
• Acme Smoked Ahi Tuna, is so light and melts in your mouth.
• Zeal Creamery Pasture-Raised Butters sea salt and pink salt favors.
• Ronda’s Fine Foods Spicy Romesco Sauce is nutty a bit spicy and I want it on everything
• Mint House Co Yuzu Salt, no importer yet.
• Sheriff’s Bitlong from Wales, no importer yet.
• Brets Le Chipsier Francais, I love a chip with less sodium and tons of flavor. All are delicious, but give me Camembert and Jura Cheese all day.
• Aaji’s Tomato Lonsa, a spicy recipe with really simple ingredients.
• Side Project Jerky: fun flavors all around, but the new Huli Huli chicken jerky collab with Poi Dog was extra special.
• Kanzuri Roasted Shishito Chili Sauce, fermented goodness.
• Jasberry Organic Super Food Rice, ready to eat, dried or as flour, amazing purple color, floral aroma, and nutty flavor.

A few last notes.

• Upcycled. I was on the lookout for more products with upcycled ingredients, but bananas and grains are still winning here.
• Boba and bubble tea showed up at 12 exhibitors. I didn’t try these as it’s not my favorite texture, but it was a trend for sure.
• Cheese. OMG so many delicious cheeses but this list is already too long. If you want a few recommendations, email Dava. 🙂
• And who knew you could make noodles from hearts of palm? I saw at least three brands.

Cheers to filling your pantry!