Fancy Food Summer 2008 recap

VIEW THE SHOW GALLERY HERE>>

The 2008 Summer Fancy Food Show took place at the Javits Center in Manhattan from June 29-July 1. Over 75 beverage companies were among the many companies exhibiting to the show’s specialty food retailer and distributor attendees.

Literally dozens of new brands and brand extensions were being samples at the show.  Many companies used the show to debut their new products, including Mosse Beverage Industries which introduced new packaging and a new flavor. Originally introduced in June of 2007 with three flavors - Black Grape, White Grape and Coffee - Mosse has been available exclusively in the New York Tri-State Area. This month they introduced the new flavor, Black Cherry and are expanding their availability to the greater East Coast. Mosse Beverage Industries is the sponsor of this year’s Fancy Food Summer coverage on BevNET.

New Brands

Braswell Food Company introduced its Braswell's Select Special Teas packaged in reusable European glassware (see video). The teas are available both in all-natural (Vanilla Chai Tea, Watermelon Raspberry White Tea, Pomegranate Passion Red Tea) and organic (Pomegranate Blackberry Tea, Peach Pomegranate Green Tea, Raspberry Red Tea, Wild Berry White Tea).  The teas will be available in 11 FL OZ glasses for $2.99 at specialty retailers.

Fantaisie Du Chef - a premium chocolate drink made with real cocoa and a water base. The drink does not contain dairy and is therefore lactose- and cholesterol-free). It is available in 345 ml glass bottles in the following flavors: Dark Cocoa classic, Dark Cocoa and Almonds, Dark Cocoa and Hazelnuts.

Marble POP – the Americanized version of a century old Japanese favorite "Ramune". The name ‘Marble POP’ comes from the drink's unique bottling, in which a glass marble is held in place by the carbonation of the beverage. The marble serves as the cap of the drink until it is ‘popped’ open with the special stopper. The dimples in the neck of the bottle allow the drink to flow out while the marble stays in place.

Metromint introduced Metroelectro, a 20 oz PET micronutrient water containing antioxidants, electrolytes and minerals.

Peteroa 9500 Spring Water – new artesian spring water from the Andes Mountains in Chile.

The Simple Kitchen – line of sparkling organic beverages made with sparkling water and subtle accents of organic juices and honey, low in sugar and calories – only 60 per 12oz bottle, with zero preservatives, additives, or acids.

Extensions, improvements, etc

Ayala’s Herbal Water was serving samples of its recently introduced certified organic line-up (they were previously all-natural).

Buffalo Energy Drink – new natural energy drink from Switzerland.

Ceres – has two new flavors in their tetrapak line including Ruby Grapefruit and Pomegranate & Lime.

Cocio – showing off new cans of its all-natural premium chocolate milk.

Dry Soda – launching Vanilla Bean and Juniper Berry in October.

Fentiman’s – line of 6 “botanically brewed beverages” are now being produced in the US and are being represented by Fentimans North America.

Firefly Tonics – will be launching “Firefly Water” - a new line of antioxidant waters  available in Green tea & mint, Yerba Mate Lime & Lemongrass, Redbush & Acerola.

Hint -- added Watermelon, Honeydew Hibiscus, Hibiscus Vanilla and Blackberry flavors.

Izze – has launched Sparkling Peach.

Ito En (TEAS’ TEA) – introduced Pure Black, an unsweetened Darjeeling black tea in its characteristic 16 oz PET bottle.

Lifeway Foods – new line of Lassi probiotic drinks available in LowFat Strawberry and LowFat Mango.

LIV Organic was serving samples of its newly organic (previously all-natural) Citrus Passion, Orange, Lemon and Berry drinks.

Lorina – two new premium 24.5 oz glass organic offerings: Blood Orange and Pomegranate.

Maaza Tropical Fruit Juices – line of natural fruit juices in glass and tetrapaks available in Guava, Lychee, Mango, Passion Fruit, Fruit Punch, and Tropical.

Manhattan Special Bottling – has recently launched a line of all-natural Iced Coffee drinks including Cappuccino, Hazelnut, French Vanilla, and Mocha in 11oz glass bottles. The company also launched a Diet Decaffeinated (sweetened with NutraSweet) SKU to their Pure Espresso Coffee Soda line.

Mixerz – launching Blueberry Acai to the existing 8 SKU lineup of all-natural mixers.

Modmix – launching a Wasabi Bloody Mary mix with a hint of ginger in August.

Noble Juice – launched all-natural Blood Orange and Tangerine Cranberry in plant-based PLA packaging.

Orchid Island Juice Company – Natalie’s 100% Fresh Squeezed Juice available in Orange and Grapefruit.

Pure Cool – will be launching “It’s Berry Cool,” a pomegranate-cherry with cranberry splash SKU to the current lineup.

Q Tonic – introduced a 750ml frosted glass bottle.

Smart Juice – launched Pomegranate Purple Carrot Juice and Apricot Peach Juice to complement their existing product lines.

Steaz – was giving a sneak peek at its iced tea line-up which will be available in the fall.

Sweet Leaf – launched a limited edition blueberry lemonade in a Mason jar, organic mango green tea.

Wild Waters – new labeling for the line-up of 6 flavored waters for children.

Source: BevNET.com Staff