Jelly Belly, Others Unveil New Products

Jelly Belly, Others Unveil New Products
By James Temple/Contra Costa Times

SAN FRANCISCO - An array of local food firms unveiled products Monday at the 32nd Winter Fancy Food Show, a trade conference attended by thousands of food professionals from around the world.

Fairfield-based Jelly Belly Candy Co. introduced its newest flavor: pomegranate. The red and pink beans are packed into bags proclaiming the same health benefits as the real fruit: vitamin C and antioxidants. The company's over sized booth also advertised Sunkist Fruit Gems, a product acquired through its purchase of Los Angeles-based Ben Meyerson Candies in October.

Oakland-based Niman Ranch, famed for its high-quality meats, introduced a Wagyu line or Kobe-style beef with marbling that exceeds U.S. Department of Agriculture "prime" grade.

Berkeley-based Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, purchased by The Hershey Co. in 2005, unveiled Milk Nibby, a milk chocolate bar with roasted cacao nibs, as well as three new chocolate sauces: milk, dark and gianduja (or chocolate with roasted hazelnut).

The booth for San Leandro-based A.G. Ferrari Foods, an Italian deli and food manufacturer, featured new marsala custard and chocolate amaretto cakes, individual-sized versions of its most popular desserts and a lemon pistachio-flavored biscotti.