Schwartz
Schwartz, the leading herb and spice experts, have worked closely with top chefs, food consultants and cookery writers from the UK and France for the first time to identify the key flavour trends across Europe that will define the year.
Famous food names from the UK and France including Bryn Williams, Tom Kime, Mark Hix, Jill Dupleix and Flora Mikula have worked alongside Schwartz to identify six key flavour trends for 2008 using interesting and vibrant ingredients.
The first trend using unusual and unexpected combinations has revealed an ongoing consumer demand for new flavour experiences. Chefs are rediscovering classical tastes from around the world and using them to create recipes that emphasise stunning and previously unknown flavours.
A rising increase in travel to far flung destinations and the lure of the exotic has led to the emergence of sweet and spice flavour combinations using ingredients to create interesting recipes such as chilli and cocoa. The trend brings an exciting edge to both sweet and savoury dishes whilst adding new taste dimension to tantalise the palate.
More and more chefs are finding new inspiration by returning to the origins of the world’s oldest cuisines to adopt authentic cooking methods, techniques and ingredients. A rising interest in cooking from scratch in the home and using fresh ingredients has led to consumers seeking these authentic techniques and experimenting with world heritage cooking.
A new evolutionary fusion cuisine blends ingredients from different international ethnic regions such as green mango and chilli to create an exciting and innovative approach to food which has been widely present in restaurants internationally.
The trend in combining fresh fruit with herbs and spices to create refreshing flavour pairings with health boosting properties is widely promoted throughout the media and in new formats such as delicious smoothies and juices. The health benefits associated with food plays an important factor in today’s society as consumers are increasingly seeking healthy, yet flavoursome alternatives to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Chefs and food writers from UK and France have used the above six trends to identify ten flavour interesting flavour pairings that they and Schwartz believe will define European cuisine in 2008.
From evolutionary cuisine to refreshing combinations, these six major food trends have inspired the ten tempting pairings below, which are revealed in our Flavour Forecast 2008 along with a selection of recipes that have been exclusively developed for Schwartz by top chefs in the UK and France.
The ten flavour pairings include:
•Chilli & Cocoa – The feel good factor
•Lemongrass & Cardamom – Fresh and lively
•Ginger & Citrus Zest – Sharp and fragrant
•Pomegranate & Cumin – Crunch time
•Tamarind & Chinese Five Spice – Whispers of China
•Roasted Coriander & Garlic – Tandoori tastes
•Green Mango & Chilli – Hot fusion
•Poppy seed & Rose – Eastern Promise
•Sweet Potato & Paprika – A rising star
•Lychee & Lemongrass – Summer savours
About Schwartz
Schwartz, McCormick's lead brand in the UK and the herbs and spices market leader, offers the greatest variety of herbs, spices and seasonings. Schwartz’s vast product portfolio spans into different sectors including recipe mixes, wet sauces, gravies and innovative stir fry seasonings. For more information, log onto www.schwartz.co.uk.
About McCormick & Company, Inc
McCormick & Company, Incorporated is the global leader in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of spices, seasonings and flavors to the entire food industry. In 2000, McCormick confirmed its position as a genuinely innovative force in the food industry by producing its first Flavor Forecast in North America.