Bakery Fair Manila

The Philippines are on a roll.  Booming economy, young-well educated population.  With their Spanish heritage -- they love bakery products.   USHBC is working with Philippine bakers to build awareness and interest in new baked goods with blueberries.  This week we are participating in the 9th annual Bakery Fair which is sponsored by the Chinese Filipino  Bakers Assn. in Manila.  Stay tuned to see the in-the-field action!

Note the AK-47 strapped on the security guard.

My favorite Eatery -- Jollybee.  Chicken-joy and Yum Burgers with a side of Halo Halo.  This Filipino chain is all over the world including all of Asia, Middle East and the West Coast of the USA.

Who needs fast food when you can get a fresh-caught bangus (Milk fish) cooked on coals!

Politics is everywhere!  Remember Erap, the former president Estrada is now the mayor of Manila.  Forward -- Ever and Backward Never.  Remember the Philippines was the leading economy of Asia in the 60s.   Filipinos believe they are on the way back.

Hong Kong Cake Chain Launches New Blueberry Collection

Hong Kong and South China's leading bakery chain has launched a line of blueberry cakes -- made with real and lots of blueberries!   According to our in-country "blueberry ambassador" Heidi Chui, (aka: Blueberry-Heidi) the chain has been showing interest in blueberries for the past three years.  The latest launch includes fresh blueberries in season and frozen in the winter months.    Although Maxim's produces dozens of cake categories -- blueberries are the only fruit with its own collection!

Above: Advertising in HK MTR Subway.  Maxims has 200 outlets in Hong Kong and has expanded into South China with 100 shops in Shenzhen, Foshan, and Guangzhou. 

Here we go!

Blueberry Hill.  A pound or more of blueberry in every cake!

Blueberry Tower, uses a home made filling with real frozen blueberries

Blueberry Chiffon, packed with blueberries!

Blueberry Layer Cake.  Blueberry in each layer including puree and fillings.

Others: check out the Maxim's Blueberry Collection at:

Maxim's Blueberry Collection

Natural Flavor -- now that's what we're talking about!

Just got this ad in my Sunday newspaper.   General Mills Cheerios now are flavored with real blueberries and other berries.

No Artificial Preservatives, Flavors or Dyes

This product says it all!  No Artificial Ingredients --Yes: Real Blueberries on the pack and in the product.  Check out the blueberry identity in the product.  Congratulations to Kraft Foods. 

Dynamo Awards 2016 -- The movie!

Blue Dynamo Awards Seoul.  The weather in Seoul was well below zero with additional wind chill!  But the USHBC industry event developed warm feelings between the industry and trade.  Here is a rapid-fire view of the event on November 3, 2016.  These types of events are essential to gain trade support for our activities and to listen to needs.  See you again next year!

With Baby Foods -- the ingredients matter!

Here is another example of baby food with real and natural ingredients.  Nothing is too good for baby!

Blueberry Containing New Products Rise in 2016

2016 was an active year for North American new product development.   Mintel Global New Product GNPD -- the research service which monitors new products reported 825 new blueberry products introduced in the USA and Canada.  We are not back to the 1000 plus new products in 2010 to 2012 -- but this is a good sign that products are moving from the R & D labs to the market.

Here are some of my favorites:

Ancient Grains are showing up everywhere including quinoa, tef from Ethiopia and chia.  More and more of these ancient grain products are teamed with blueberries.  The snack sector is using more and more dehydrated blueberries in products from nut mixes to extruded snacks.

Drinkable yogurts such as Kefir and Indian Lassis are popular all over Europe and the Middle East and are not popularized in North America. Blueberries are a natural flavor attraction and already we have seen dozens of new blueberry Kefirs in 2017!

More and more Greek style yogurts feature blueberries.  

Check out the latest television commercial from Fage, a trendsetting company. 

https://www.ispot.tv/ad/Ahd6/fage-yogurt-nothing-more-never-less-blueberry?autoplay=1

https://www.ispot.tv/ad/A19I/fage-total-yogurt-blueberry

Chocolate covered blueberries are now mainstream.  note the new label which proclaims "Real Blueberries!"

Pet food use of blueberries continues to soar.  This package has all of the right buttons-- Made in the USA and made with real blueberries!

Welcome to some of these innovative products and designs.  And thanks for using real blueberries.

 

Finally a really great tasting blueberry beer.  A lot depends on personal taste, but this one has a great blueberry flavor and aroma which is synergistic to the wheat ale.  It took a collaboration between a New Orleans brewer and local grower to pull this one off.