BERLIN EXHIBITION
VISITORS to last month's Green Week exhibition in Berlin were faced with an array of food companies eager to prove that German cuisine is a far cry from the sauerkraut and sausage image which it is often labelled with.
Representatives from 16 German regions offered visitors to the Berlin Congress Hall exhibition centre a host of products. Some were new, others were revivals of more traditional fare, lost in the nation's chequered history.
Some products are already available in the UK. But many suppliers are in search of a UK importer to try and make their mark. most of what was on show are familiar sights in German catering operations.
HESSEN
The central German region of Hessen was busy promoting an extensive range of ciders and cheeses. One product of interest was Kochk„se or cooked cheese, made by cheese company Bînsel.
This spreadable product, a speciality of the region, comes in 10% fat and 40% fat versions and consists of cheese cooked with Quark, a low-fat German cheese, butter and spices.
In the Hessen area it is eaten on bread or used as a topping for potatoes.
BREMEN
Going further north, the traditional fishing area of Bremen was showing off its value-added fish products.
The region's close proximity to Scandinavian countries is reflected in its product offerings which include sliced herring in jars in a range of sauces from manufacturer Skansild Fischindustrie Bremerhaven.
Flavours include dill, mayonnaise & spices, curry, madeira, mustard and cocktail. According to the manufacturer, the products have already enjoyed considerable success in German foodservice where they are available in up to 10kg sizes.
BADEN-WöRTTEMBERG
Head further south towards the region of Baden-Wrttemberg and a range of juices from Vaihinger tempt the palate.
The long-life juices include flavours such as sour cherry, vegetable juice, orange with calcium, and redcurrant.
The juices pick up on healthy eating trends and have found a big export market to the Benelux countries in both retail and foodservice but have not yet found their way to our shores.
BAYERN
Bayern, better known to most English people as Bavaria, boasts the biggest agricultural area in Germany and is well-known for its milk products.
One of the region's most famous sons is Mller, which pioneered a change in the UK yogurt market with its twin pot concept.
Cheese makers were out in force on the stand. New from K„serei Champignon was the Freschino cheese, a mixture of Quark, milk and egg white which can be spread on bread. The product is available in original and herb versions.
The company was also showing Blanchette, a soft cheese ripened with spices such as paprika.
Also on the Bayern stand was distiller Steinw„lder, which was showing off an pre-mixed, bottled alcohol-free punch. The punch under the Erbendorfer brand is a mixture of apple juice, cherry juice concentrate, and spices and can be served both hot and cold.
In German hotels it is generally served hot and is marketed as an alcohol-free alternative to drivers.
BRANDENBURG-BERLIN
The former areas of East Germany were also out in force, showing for the most part traditional products which years of an oppressive regime had kept under wraps.
On the Brandenburg-Berlin stand juices from the Werder fruit regions included Sanddorn, or sea buckthorn, a wild orange colour berry.
When the Berlin Wall tumbled in 1989 East Germans foresook their own products for the unfamiliar products of the West. But now that trend has reversed and demand for traditional fare has increased.
There are no plans to export further afield at the moment with many former East German regions concentrating on targeting the mainstream market before spreading their wings.
MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN
This region of former East Germany is well-known for its fish products.
Kaviarcreme which comes in tubes is a popular line for manufacturer Ostseefisch. The product consists of herring eggs in dill, garlic and curry and onion flavours and can be used to fill canapés.
HAMBURG
On the Hamburg stand were a selection of flavoured ketchups from manufacturer Hela. Varieties included curry spiced, garlic, and a special mild fruity ketchup for children. The products come in 800ml plastic bottles.
