International Exotics Top List of New Taste Trends

New York, November 28, 2005 — Titillating, tangy tamarind, yerba maté latte, get-up-and-go guarana, and tantalizing tortas top the Fall list of up-and-coming food sensations slated for success in American foodservice and retail establishments, according to the latest Culinary Trend Mapping Report, a collaborative effort of market research publisher Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, and San Francisco’s Center for Culinary Development (CCD).

Designed to show which culinary trends are “gaining traction” and which are simply flashes in the pan, the quarterly Culinary Trend Mapping Report identifies ingredients, dishes, cooking styles, and flavor profiles and their “maturity” level according to CCD’s unique five-stage tracking process. From papaya and polenta, to flat iron steaks and grilled/roasted fruits, this recently published quarterly installment is a unique and indispensable tool for food professionals and others who need to stay abreast of what’s hot—or what will be—in the food industry.

Providing proprietary insight into how every-day consumers are currently reacting to and adopting culinary trends, such as Thai flavors and low glycemic foods, this report contains exclusive insights from members of CCD’s renowned 80-member Chefs’ Council, with feature articles written by member chef’s offering their perspectives on food trends.

“We expect that yerba mate will be the next news in beverages,” said Kimberly Egan, principal and senior director of client services, CCD. “It’s being positioned as a healthy stimulant, one that is blended with interesting, yet familiar, flavorings, spices and herbs, to help consumers make the transition from green and white teas.”

Culinary Trend Mapping Report: A Quarterly Journal of Food and Ingredient Insight is available both by individual quarterly issue and as an annual subscription and can be purchased directly from Packaged Facts by clicking: http://www.packagedfacts.com/pub/1101022.html. It is also available at MarketResearch.com.

About Packaged Facts
Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes research reports on a wide range of consumer industries, including consumer goods and retailing, foods and beverages, and demographics. For more information visit www.PackagedFacts.com, or contact Tom Ehart at 240-747-3014, or tehart@marketresearch.com.

About the Center for Culinary Development
The Center for Culinary Development is a food and beverage development company that blends culinary creativity with strategic marketing expertise to help clients create food product solutions that satisfy consumer expectations. For more information, visit www.ccdsf.com, or contact Kimberly Egan at 415-69