Defying a trend that has seen similar events become smaller over the years, this year's Sweets & Snacks Expoheld again at McCormick Placewas larger than ever, expanding by 20 percent over 2015.
The expo ( which is not open to the public ) actually added a hall this year, making the exhibitors' space a total of four acres of candy and snack products. Innovation Avenue, in the new Skyline Hall, featured start-ups and honors "the innovative spirit," according to the event's website.
There were 750 exhibiting companies showing items from around the globe. Some took this writer back to his childhood ( Bazooka ), but there were also some very new and intriguing productsand there was a marked increase of healthful products.
Some of the interesting exhibitors this year included:
Pernigotti ( Pernigotti.it ): This Italian exhibitor makes items such as nougat and ice creams. The chocolate bites I sampled this year were the best-tasting chocolate items I tried this year.
Cannoli Chips ( OriginalCannoliChips.com ): Containing no trans fats, these powdered sugar-topped treats were absolutely delicious.
Cracked Candy ( CrackedCandy.com ): Probably the most controversial item I saw, the sugar-free treat is cracked into random pieces, with a couple flavors resembling the drug crackand the vendor claimed it was just as addictive.
Bobo's Oat Bars ( BobosOatBars.com ): Based in Boulder, Colorado, these treats are 100-percent vegan, have no trans fats, are soy-free and are made with organic ingredients.
Hickory Harvest ( HickoryHarvest.com ): Known for its trail mixes, yogurt pretzels and similar items, this company offered six new products, including premium roasted cashews and Very Cherry Vibe ( honey-roasted peanuts, cranberries, yogurt raisins, roasted almonds and dried tart cherries ).
Almond Brothers ( AlmondBrothers.com ): If you think you've tried almonds very possible way, think again: The lemon-roasted almonds are a revelation. ( Other options include glazed walnuts with rosemary. )
Crown Nut Co. ( CrownNutCompany.com ): This company also has some intriguing ways of serving nuts, such as honey BBQ, maple bacon-flavored and sriracha almonds.
Yucatan Guacamole ( Avocado.com ): There's a very tasty reason Yucatan is among one of the top guac companies in North America. The guacamole comes in varieties such as authentic, organic, mild and spicy.
Fruits in Chocolate ( FruitsInChocolate.com ): Yepit's exactly like it sounds, and they taste pretty good, too. Options include apricot, cranberry, cherry and prune.
Bounce Energy Balls ( us.BounceLifestyle.com ): Yes, I thought of a thousand ball-related puns, too. ( In fact, the booth had a flier with "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's balls. ) However, Bounce advertises its products as "delicious nutrition"and I did like what I sampled.
Somebody's Mother's ( SomebodysMothers.com ): A close second to Pernigotti in the area of chocolate was the gourmet sauce I sampled at this exhibitor's booth. ( Sauces comes in varieties such as caramel, chocolate, white chocolate, praline, mocha and island. ) There are also gift bundles that can be immediately sent.
Spice Foods ( SpiceFoodsOfficial.com ): Founded by two millennials in Michigan ( check out their video on their website ), Spice Foods aims to make globalization local through items that incorporate tastes from different cultures.
Next year's expo will be May 23-25 at McCormick Place.
Written by Andrew Davis ( @Azygous60610 )