10 hot products from the Summer Fancy Food Show

By Kelsey Blackwell

Black Water
Gimmick or legitimate functional beverage? You be the judge. This water gets its murky color from fulvic acid, a naturally occurring substance that the company says contains over 77 trace minerals and electrolytes. The bottle is clear to give you an idea of just how dark the drink is. Even more interesting? It tastes like regular old H2O.

Chuao Potato Chips in Chocolate

Forget flavonoids. This potato chip–infused chocolate bar is meant to soothe the soul. At least that's the position of Chuao, which just debuted this taste-bud tempter. Rather than bouncing from salty to sweet during a snack binge, Chuao Master Chef and cofounder Michael Antonorsi created a product to satisfy both cravings at once. After one taste, it's clear these opposites were meant to attract.

Brooklyn Salsa Company

What could they know about salsa in Brooklyn? Apparently, plenty. Made with primarily organic ingredients from small, New York–based farms, Brooklyn Salsa Company salsa blends represent each of New York City's six boroughs. Queens, a medium-hot tropical salsa made with coconut milk, and The Bronx, an Indian-inspired salsa made with eggplant and curry powder, are standouts.

Kañiwa

By now most shoppers have heard of quinoa, but what about kañiwa? The gluten-free grain is smaller than quinoa, but according to the Culinary Collective, which imports Kañiwa from Peru, it offers even more protein per serving. As a flour, Kañiwa can be used to make breads or thicken soups.

Honest CocoaNova

If cacao products that also pack a nutrient punch are your pleasure, from the makers of Honest Tea comes Honest CocoaNova, a certified-organic, fair-trade cocoa-infusion beverage with only 50 calories per bottle. The cane juice–sweetened drink is available in Mint Cacao, Mocha Cacao and Cherry Cacao flavors.

Teeny Tiny Spice Co. of Vermont

Not everyone's a chef, but with a few great spices, it's not too hard to fake it. That's the motto behind the Teeny Tiny Spice Co. of Vermont, which is hoping to teach even the most kitchen-phobic how to whip up decent dishes with the help of its arsenal of certified-organic spice blends. The company offers easy-to-follow recipes with each of its more than 15 flavors ranging from Vindaloo to Shepherd's Herb Mix.

Rigoni di Asiago Pink Grapefruit Spread

I've never met a Rigoni product I didn't like. The organic, apple juice–sweetened preserves are loaded with whole chunks of fruit and intense flavor. Rigoni's latest jam, the first pink-grapefruit spread I've ever tasted, uses three pounds of fruit per jar. It has a clean, mildly sweet flavor that could easily pair with cheeses, top ice cream or be used in a compote or simply on toast.

Happy Goat Scotch Caramel Sauce

Single-malt scotch matured 12 years in bourbon and sherry casks gives this decadent caramel sauce a deeper, richer flavor than any caramel product I've ever experienced. Antibiotic-free, hormone-free goat's milk makes the product lactose-intolerant.

Gracious Gourmet Spiced Sour Cherry Spread

This intensely cherry-flavored spread is made by simmering sour Morello cherries with whole and pureed tart dried cherries and red Burgundy wine. The spread easily pairs with chicken, duck, pork or game or could accompany cow or sheep cheeses. I'm looking forward to trying it on cheesecake.

Cypress Grove Sgt. Pepper and PyscheDillic Chevres

Cypress Grove adds two new flavors to its already award-winning line of chevres, and I predict it's only a matter of time before these latest flavors begin receiving accolades. Sgt. Pepper offers a taste-bud kick with a secret combination of four peppers, spices and pepper threads. Fragrant dill pollen imparts zesty dill flavor in PyscheDillic.