Experts Pinpoint Top 5 Food Trends

A panel of food pros at the recently wrapped 56th Summer Fancy Food Show has chosen the top five food trends for 2010.

According to the experts, the trends are as follows:

—Vinegars in such innovative flavors as Hibiscus, Walnut, Champagne, Peach Balsamic, Lime Rice, and Apple Ice Wine
—Indian-inspired flavors in unexpected combinations, including Curry Ketchup, Cashews & Cream Cooking Sauce, Tandoori Chicken Naanwich, and Tikka Masala Marinara
—Grains, nuts and seeds in both sweet and savory settings, among them Flax Seed Crackers, Oat and Corn Cakes, Pumpkin Palooza Nut Confections, and Lentil Chips
—The autumnal flavors of squash, pumpkin and sweet potato showcased in such items as Pumpkin Salsa, Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce, Sweet Potato Butter, Butternut Squash Tart and Sweet Potato Chocolate.
—Handcrafted local heritage foods like soups, pickles and sweets offering fresh takes on classic dishes, including Linekin Bay Lobster Corn Chowder, Brooklyn Pickles, Wild West Steak Rub and Sticky Toffee Pudding

Other emerging trends singled out by the panel were fig products, including a cabernet wine and fig preserve; teas infused with turmeric and cardamom; and specialty flavored honeys such as chestnut, lime, pine and raspberry.

The panel’s trendspotters were Fran Carpenter of Parade Magazine; Faith Durand of Apartment Therapy: The Kitchn; Nancy Wall Hopkins of Better Homes & Gardens; Sara Moulton, chef, cookbook author and “Good Morning America” contributor; Rachel Mount of O Magazine; Kara Nielsen of the Center for Culinary Development; Denise Purcell of Specialty Food Magazine; and Jenna Zimmerman of Food Network.

The show, which this year ran from June 27 to June 29 at in Jacob Javits Center, is the largest marketplace for specialty food and beverages in the United States. In 2010, 2,400 domestic and international exhibitors from more than 80 countries displayed products at the event.