Taste of Korea. Kimchi , Bulgogi, Bibimbab, Gochujang. ..... More: April 2017

IFE at Excel , London 2017

Whenever I am invited to the IFE, International Food Exhibition, I am looking for some very new food products in any corner of the world.

Reading the introduction book, Spain, Portugal, Italian , but I have decided try have a look South American stand and East Asia more closely because living in UK , European products are aware and I am using a lot in my cooking .

Certainly this year food trend is healthy food, with less sugar, less salt , organic , is the main theme, as for years now.

South Korean Stands are well presenting with traditional fermented food, kimchi and bean paste , they are all very well known here, as fermented foods became symbol of healthy food.

Glad to see some ready- made spicy sauce even kimchi sauce are available here in here in UK, supermarket. It is very convenient to make spicy freshly made baechu ( cabbage) kimchi salad or even spicy green salad.

Other just spicy sauce is very useful, any kind of spicy dish, I finished up with this sauce in my deveilled kidney

Healthy bean products were impressive, Bean smoothie powder is a well thought idea, which just add hot water, how easy and balanced drink for busy morning meal on the go. I was satisfied by taste and its nutrient and it would be interested by young 20something healthy foodies even vegan would love this. Other product , 100% soya bean liquid, to just drink or make cold bean soup noodle which Koreans love to have for lunch in the heat of Summer with ice.

Korean red ginseng is well known for its medicinal quality, specially for energy boost and general health benefit , you can find any heath shop as a tablets.

There are many forms of seaweed snacks for drinks but they can be used as sald topping, now finally all western country wake up this amazing seaweed benefit but I found all too expensive , but Koreans are much cheaper . as I do eats daily bases and make western dish more attractive using seaweed powder.

South American section has amazing natural products. From exotic dried fruit tea from Ecuador with natural sugar leaves, how cool is that? The leave is just like sugar, so sweet. So original!

Peruvian super-foods company, Alinap, stands has many natural super foods , I never heard or taste, all boasting their health benefit, all from wild Peruvian amazon. . we all know about quinoa but I never knew such as omega 3 rich sacha inchi powder and oil. camu- camu( putple corn) powder , mango taste like lucuma powder, list are endless.

No wonder all chefs are keen to use these wild Peruvian ingredients.

Have to mention Ecuador’s organic dark chocolate by Pacari was surprisingly smooth and excellent flavour . Looking forward to make my own chocolate mix with this wonderful dark cholate.

Black garlic from UK has an interesting story, when the owner visited Jeju island in South Korea, they discovered original Jeju island black garlic and as we say, rest is the history. Since then they made a successful black garlic business. Top London chefs are their clients. What a good timing as we are all love garlic and chilli by Uk’s foodies and chefs. Specially black garlic has fruity taste is not so pungent and got a health benefit . It makes a good sauce for duck and fish. I use all the time.

Even I have with porridge in the morning.( after finely chop add to the porridge )or top of avocado with toast.

Iberico Ham from Portugal( near Spain), by MUGUEL&MIGUEL was excellent, I dare say even better than some of Spanish one but not wildly known. Loved it.

Cold press olive oil from Greece, infused with garlic or rosemary has strong flavour. BBQed subulaki ( or any meat og vegetable), just brushed with this would be a some tasty meal. So impressed by the standard.

First cold pressed organic extra virgin olive oil by CUSMAI family, Puglia,Italy has unforgettable amazing taste. Wow! It taste like I am eating beautiful hills of Italian country side, feel like eating Summer green grass with peppery taste linger in my mouth .

Wow!! I just love this, I honestly say this olive oil was the best olive oil I have ever tasted .

GiuGiu cured ham from Sisley was so good, not salty or too dry, cured with red pepper corn, so tasty indeed.

Tahini from Israel has many interesting flavours to add to it,