In the last issue of POH, we introduced to several specialty food and beverage companies that  are at least partially Black-owned or African-based and were at the annual Fancy Food Show in New York.  In this issue, we introduce to you companies and their products that caught my attention only because of their uniqueness.

Among the 2,400 companies at the largest marketplace for specialty foods and beverages in North America was Asarasi. The company harvest water from maple trees. As they explained, maple sap is 97 percent naturally pure water.  From the tree sap, they remove the maple sugar, leaving behind pure water.  With the water, Asarasi infuses carbonation and flavor. The taste of the water was not unique, but knowing the naturalness of the source of the water made me feel refreshed and super-hydrated.

I have heard of halal meat, but never halal sauce.  But, that is what The Halal Sauce company makes and bottles. The Halal street carts of New York inspired them to create the sauce.
 
I am still eager to try Cassava Flour by Otto’s Naturals, a multi-purpose flour that replaces white flour one for one in recipes, except when unsifted.  According to Briana Belden, brand manager for Otto's , cassava flour has the taste and texture of wheat flour. The same is true for Appel Foods Nut Crumbs.  Even if the crushed nut crumbs are not from Appel Foods, it is something I would love to try.

From the last issue: New Food from Home and Abroad