The Lodging, Hospitality & Foodservice Expo, held last week at Blaisdell Center, was a wonderland of products from all over the islands.
The point was for producers to market their goods to retailers, resorts and restaurants, with the hope that those products will make it soon to you, the consumer.
This collection of edibles from the expo is a taste of what you’re likely to see soon in stores and on restaurant menus.
Turmeric and ginger
Lani Sweets & Treats concentrates the flavor and nutritional benefits of Hawaiian red turmeric and ginger into chips that can be sprinkled on salads, oatmeal or yogurt, used to spike water or just eaten out of hand.
The organic turmeric and ginger are grown on Kauai. They are thinly sliced and dehydrated, then flavored with lime and cane sugar or maple syrup and coconut oil.
The product, sold in 1-ounce bags for about $6.50, is being introduced to Whole Foods Market, Don Quijote, Down to Earth and the Navy Exchange. Malig Williams, director of operations, expects to place it soon at ABC and Longs Drugs stores, Safeway and Foodland. Or order through lanisweetsntreats.com.
Ultra-premium leaves
Big Island Tea’s ‘A‘a Black is 100 percent Hawaiian, grown at the 3,000-foot elevation at Volcano, hand-harvested and processed. Byron Goo of Tea Chest Hawaii calls it “gorgeous … really a unique experience.” It’s a premium experience, too. Find it at MW restaurant and Forty Carrots at Bloomingdale’s for at least $25 per pot, but Goo said it is selling in New York at Eleven Madison Park for twice that.
Tiny pearls of tartness
Squeeze a finger lime and hundreds of tiny pearls pop out, looking like translucent caviar. Use them atop oysters, sashimi or in anything that needs a touch of tartness. Wailea Agricultural Group, growers of Big Island hearts of palm, is making them available in six-packs to Oahu grocery stores, to be sold for $10 and under. Find them now at military commissaries.
Chocolate and spice
Maui-based Aloha Spiced Cacao mixes powdered French chocolate with flavors such as espresso, chili, mint and pumpkin spice, to be sprinkled in drinks or on candies, fruits, even bacon. Cocktails are one favorite use. Available until now only on Maui, it is beginning to make its way to Oahu. For now, order throughmauisweetnspicy.com.
Ulu made easy
A whole breadfruit can be intimidating as a cooking project. Mala Kalu‘ulu makes it less so by doing the peeling, steaming and cutting, then sealing the ulu in $7, 1-pound bags, coming to farmers markets in a few weeks. The ulu is grown by a cooperative of Hawaii island farms.
Powders with punch
Naikela Botanicals harvests herbs grown on its Kauai farm, then dehydrates and grinds them into a “superfood tea powder” that can be used in drinks or sprinkled in food. The company is expanding beyond Kauai, selling canisters that make 30 servings for $24. Order online at naikela.com.
Brulee at home
Simply stir this mix into hot cream, then chill in ramekins. There you have it, creme brulee. Get fancy if you want and torch the top.
Master pastry chef Stanton Ho developed the product for Aloha Edibles in vanilla as well as Kona coffee, pineapple and mango.
A package that makes eight servings will sell for about $10, coming to Safeway, Longs Drugs, Don Quijote and Walgreens stores in a few weeks.