Chinese Bakers and Suppliers Visit Blueberry Country

Bakers, distributors and importers from East China (Shanghai) visited blueberry country to learn about production, processing and utilization.  This was part of the USDA Cochran Fellowship which brings professionals to the USA for educational experiences.   This group visited the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) meeting and a stop in the Central Valley of California where they picked blueberries!  The group included a 150 bakery chain, a major importer and distributor of bakery ingredients, a master pastry chef who is well known in China and a director of baking operations at a leading store chain.  Now we have a set of new blueberry friends in China.

Group photo.  Now blueberry friends.  Susan Zhang of USDA-FAS, Shanghai is on far right.

Visitors loved picking blueberries

 

Linden, California locals dropped in 

Blueberry selfie time!

Next day we toured the top five trendy bakeries in San Francisco

Ingredient Solutions at Food Technologists Expo

USHBC exhibited at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Food Expo.   What's hot!  Take a look.

117 F in the shade!

Not much in food to be seen!

USHBC booth was like an oasis, with fresh blueberries served!  A big hit!

This booth graphic says it all!

Beauty from within was everywhere!

Organics 

And let us not forget the pet foods

US Blueberries in Korean Foodservice Update

Koreans love to visit restaurants and coffee shops.  They love blueberries!  So what a logical place to promote blueberries to expand the marketplace.

Blueberry Hyewon shares some photos from the marketplace.  Seems that each month there are new developments.  And these developments continue to consume lots and lots of fresh, frozen and dried blueberries!

Blueberries and Chocolates!  Koreans love them both and a new trend is for sales of high quality locally made chocolate covered blueberries at major coffee chains.  Note the s in chains -- they are everywhere!

Blueberries and Beverages.   Grab a cup of blueberries on the way to work.   These creative drinks continue at some of the leading foodservice operations.

Spider-Man is making a splash this summer in Korea -- the biggest thing since Robo-cop 1 and 2.  Check out the blueberry ice cream.   

The yogurt drink category is booming and with the steamy summers in Korea -- this is a way to get some antioxidants!  

US Fresh Blueberries in Hong Kong

Hong Kongers love fresh fruit in the summer and the arrival of fresh blueberries is a big deal in local supermarkets and bakeries.  Blueberry Heidi takes us for a tour of her local supermarkets!

Everyone takes the MRT subway in HK.  Shopping centers and stores are all attached.  Look at the Maxim's bakery ads on the trains serving all the lines!  Maxims is a big supporter of blueberries in hundreds of outlets around HK and Asia.   Once the fresh blueberries arrive they promote dozens of blueberry baked goods.  Off season -- they switch to frozen and dried!

Hold onto your mascot fan and check out the many fresh blueberries in the market!

Taiwan Bakery Seminar - 2017

Taiwan is the trend setter of Greater China for bakeries.  Bakers are always on the lookout for the next big thing.   Blueberry Mandy worked with Katherine Lee of the USDA-FAS Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) Taipei to implement a seminar on baking trends.

The Presentation:

Chef Action:

Master Chef at work

Local celebrity chef -- loves blueberries!

Master of Ceremonies - Local Food Editor

Attendees from some of the leading bakeries in Taiwan

Katherine from USDA-FAS -- a great booster of blueberries.  Below is her boss, Chris Frederick, also a big blueberry fan!

This is blueberry Mandy.  She had the awesome task of arranging the chef and translating for me which is really difficult as I never follow the script!

Beautiful products use all sorts of blueberries and clever techniques

Chef demo

Super fancy muffins, use frozen blueberries!  This is a big development in Taiwan.

This is a blueberry sandwich using dried blueberries in bun and frozen in a risotto filling.   This was my lunch for entire visit to Taipei!  Yummy

Chef artistry

Congratulations to IG International - India

Wow!  Check out this report from India.  IG International a leading fruit importer and distributor in India.  They are now behind a fresh blueberry push!  Check out those large clamshells!  Thanks to IG for promoting US blueberries this season!