New Product Line - Oser Communications Group

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GOURMET NEWS www.gourmetnews.com ■ JULY 2011 ■ GOURMET NEWS
Eat Like An Emperor
And Enhance Your Health
Before the introduction of high-yielding
rice varieties in the 1960s, Thailand had
about 16,000 distinct rice varieties. Yet
today, according to experts at the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO), only 37 are grown on a large
scale and 50 percent of rice lands are cultivated
to just two varieties! Where did all
that diversity in Thailand and other countries
go, and why is it important?
When it comes to rice biodiversity, the
value is in the taste, cooking quality and
health benefits. Take for example Lotus
Foods’ Forbidden Rice ® , also called
‘longevity’ or ‘tribute rice,’ reserved for the
emperors to ensure their good health and
long life. Since introducing this wonderful
grain to U.S. markets over 15 years ago,
Forbidden Rice has become a staple in
many restaurants and households, appreciated
for its roasted nutty taste and striking
plate presentation. Recently, it’s become
clearer why Chinese emperors reserved this
special rice for themselves. Research reported
in the fall of 2010 reveals that black
rice bran contains anthocyanins, which act
as powerful antioxidants that have been
linked to a decreased risk of heart disease
and cancer, improvements in memory, and
other health benefits. Other plants rich in
anthocyanins include blueberry, cranberry
and bilberry, acai and others.
“Just a spoonful of black rice bran
[equivalent to 10 spoonfuls of cooked
black rice] contains more healthpromoting
anthocyanin antioxidants than
are found in a spoonful of blueberries, but
with less sugar and more fiber and vitamin
E antioxidants,” said Zhimin Xu, Ph.D,
Associate Professor of Food Science at the
Louisiana State University Agricultural
Center, where the research was carried out.
Thanks to Lotus Foods, you can eat like
an emperor every day. Lotus Foods Cofounder
and Co-owner Caryl Levine notes
that “Providing a market for heirloom varieties
can contribute to their preservation
as well as the rural communities in which
they are still cultivated.” In a recent acknowledgment
of Lotus Foods’ efforts to
preserve rice biodiversity, the company received
Honorable Mention for a major biodiversity
award by the Union for Ethical
BioTrade (UBET).
Introduced for bulk, wholesale and foodservice
in 2010, and about to debut in 15-
ounce retail bags in 2011, Lotus Foods has
received nothing but raves for their Madagascar
Pink Rice, Volcano Rice and
Mekong Flower Rice. Madagascar Pink
Rice is delicious, partially milled long
grain red rice with hints of cinnamon and
clove. Volcano Rice is a colorful blend of
nutrient-dense brown and red rice grown
on mineral-rich volcanic soils in Indonesia.
Reputed to restore vitality due to its
high mineral and fiber content, it is the
only rice to be certified as Fair for Life by
the Institute for Marketecology (IMO).
Mekong Flower Rice is a fragrant whole
grain from Cambodia that cooks up
quickly, and will add flavor and nutrition
to any rice dish. All of the packaged rices
will be certified organic.
Fischer & Weiser (Con’t. from p. 1)
Cherry Pie Filling.
Texas Pit BBQ Sauce
Texas is known for its legendary barbecue
joints and Fischer & Wieser honors those traditions
with their authentic Texas Pit BBQ
Sauce. They spent years sampling authentic
pit barbecue and have formulated the perfect
blend that pays homage to those smokehouses
and showcases a unique chile―the
Pasilla Chile―from the Oaxacan region of
Mexico. This sauce is ideal for grilling.
Hibiscus & Ancho Chile Grilling Sauce
Fischer & Wieser has merged one of the
hottest flavor trends on the market today,
hibiscus with ancho chile to create a versatile
grilling glaze. The smokey ancho
chile is combined with the sweet tanginess
of the hibiscus flower to create a
unique, smokey, sweet heat ideal for
grilling and baked meats.
Hatch Chile & Pineapple Salsa
Native to Hatch, New Mexico, the hatch
chile is a slightly milder version of a
jalapeño pepper that is grown in limited
production on small farms throughout the
Hatch Valley. Fischer & Wieser has combined
this unique pepper with pineapple and
created a delicious sweet-heat salsa that is
ideal for dipping or topping grilled meats.
Almond & Cherry Jubilee Jam
Plump, juicy cherries are combined with
hearty almonds to create one of the company’s
favorite jams. This delicious jam
is versatile enough for breakfast pastries
and even dessert toppings with its sweettart
finish.
Pumpkin Pie Butter
Two fall favorites, pumpkins and pecans, are
combined to create one unique spread. Fischer
& Wieser’s Pumpkin Pie Butter is a
classic Southern staple with rich, smooth
pumpkin butter infused with bits of pecans.
This spreadable delight is ideal for biscuits,
pancakes and even ice cream.
Old Fashioned Cherry Pie Filling
Homemade cherry pies have been favorites
at picnic, holiday and dining tables for
years. Fischer & Wieser has created the ultimate,
old fashioned cherry pie filling without
the fuss! All you have to do is pour it in
a pie crust and bake. It’s convenient and delicious
and can be used in pies, turnovers,
tarts, cobblers, kolaches and more.
Discover your new favorite at jelly.com
or booth 5112 at the NASFT Fancy Food
Show in Washington, D.C.