Fuchs North America, a leading maker of seasonings, flavor systems and taste solutions for the food manufacturing and foodservice industries, introduces the “Latin Action Collection,” a new line of distinctive seasonings, bases and flavors. The Collection’s 10 items celebrate the rich diversity of Latin culinary traditions that stretch all the way from the Iberian Peninsula to South America and beyond.

Offerings include seasonings and blends for snacks, meat rubs, sauces and soup bases, and more. These items also are the starting point for food manufacturers to develop their own unique signature product offerings, with Fuchs’ culinary specialists at their side.

The New Collection

Fuchs’ new Latin Action Collection includes the following 10 seasoning blends:

• Chimichurri Argentino
• Chipotle Adobo Seasoning Blend
• Chorizo Sausage Seasoning
• Cracked Coriander & Green Chili Rub
• Elote Street Corn Snack Seasoning
• Mayan Hot Chocolate
• Spicy Guacamole Snack Seasoning
• Tomatillo Seasoning Blend
• Valencia Style Rice Seasoning Blend
• Yucatán Chicken & Lime Soup Base

“Latin foods are becoming ever-more popular today,” notes Ken Wuestenfeld, Fuchs’ vice president of sales and technical services. “Our new collection showcases the wide range of Latin and Iberian flavors, and how they’re influencing all sorts of different culinary creations.”

Wuestenfeld adds, “The American taste palette continues to expand in very exciting ways, and food companies have picked up on that trend. Latin-inspired foods are no exception. While Tex-Mex will always be popular, we’re seeing an entirely new world opening up, with all sorts of unexpected offerings that were practically unheard of just a few years ago. It’s happening because of more adventuresome eaters who are willing to try new twists and tastes on Latin themes.”

Fuchs helps food companies make sense of the trends and tap into where the culinary energy is strongest. In this spirit, each of the items that make up Fuchs’ Latin Action Collection has its own unique qualities, yet all of them draw on the authentic characteristics of the Latin taste palette.

Satisfying Snack Seasonings
Elizabeth Lindemer, CEC, Fuchs’s corporate executive chef, worked to develop blends that meet consumers’ high expectations of authenticity.

“With our new Elote Street Corn Snack Seasoning, we combine roasted corn with creamy cheese, robust chilies and zesty lime to create a unique yet authentic flavor that will jazz up any number of favorite snack items,” she says. “Likewise, people will find our Spicy Guacamole Snack Seasoning to be the perfect combination of creamy avocado, citrus, spices and chilies. It’s another way to provide a delicious flavor boost for snacks.”

Seasonings and Rubs for Proteins
Several items in the Latin Action Collection were created to add value to a variety of proteins. For roasted pork, Cracked Coriander & Green Chili Rub features fragrant and aromatic coriander that mingles with the mild heat and smokiness of green chilies and a touch of lime to round it out.

“This rub pairs wonderfully with other meats as well, and it also works wonders as an addition to sides and vegetables,” Lindemer notes.

Sticking with proteins, the new Collection’s Chorizo Sausage Seasoning features smoky and spicy peppers blended with aromatic spices, herbs and tantalizing garlic. It makes for a quick and easy seasoning for ground pork, beef, turkey, and even salmon.

Sauces and Soup Bases
For sauces and soup bases, the Latin Action Collection includes four special offerings. Yucatán Chicken & Lime Soup Base is packed with the flavor of roasted chicken, bright citrus, savory tomatoes and garlic, along with just the right amount of heat from chilies.

Chipotle Adobo Seasoning Blend is bursting with smoky chipotle peppers, tomatoes, flavorful spices and just a touch of vinegar.

“It makes a great sauce to drizzle over chicken tacos as well as roasted pork, lamb and even sweet potatoes,” Lindemer suggests.

Chimichurri Argentino is used to prepare a bright, vibrant sauce brimming with aromatic garlic and flavorful herbs. According to Lindemer, it’s the perfect way to liven up a grilled flank steak, chicken, seafood or vegetables.

Tomatillo Seasoning Blend is described by Lindemer as the perfect balance of tomatillos, green chilies, herbs and citrus.

“It makes a great range of flavorful sauces and dips,” she comments.

Sensational Side Dishes and Entrées
Recognizing the roots of Latin cuisine, Valencia Style Rice Seasoning honors the culinary traditions of the Iberian Peninsula. This offering is a complex and tempting blend that includes saffron, roasted garlic and smoked paprika plus a touch of lemon for authentic Spanish flavor.

“Simply add the seasoning to a favorite side dish and it’ll steal the show!” Lindemer says.

A Sweet Finishing Touch
The Latin Action Collection wouldn’t be complete without an item designed to tickle the taste buds while satisfying a sweet tooth. In this case it’s Mayan Hot Chocolate, a sweet-and-creamy chocolate paired with aromatic spices and smoky peppers to create an enticing beverage treat.

Custom Solutions, Too
Patrick Laughlin, director of marketing and taste trend research, says the strategy behind all of Fuchs’ offerings like the Latin Action Collection is to help food manufacturers create irresistible new items that build on culinary traditions, but that are also unique.

“We focus on ever-evolving consumer taste preferences,” Laughlin explains. “Our goal is to help food companies come up with new taste sensations they can claim as their own – offerings that are distinctively different, not ‘more of the same.’”

With each customer, Fuchs North America goes from conception to manufacturing to delivery of an approved flavor as quickly as possible.

“Because we have a wide range of flavor bases at the ready, we can provide samples for immediate testing,” Laughlin says. “Then we customize and refine the flavor to attain exactly the taste characteristics our customer is seeking.”

Doing so means that taking a food or flavor idea from concept to delivery can often be accomplished in a matter of weeks or even less time.

“Being able to support customers with that kind of rapid schedule is a huge benefit when they’re under tight product development timeframes,” Laughlin adds

For a limited time, Fuchs North America is offering complimentary samples of the items in its new Latin Action Collection.

To request samples, contact Patrick Laughlin toll-free at 800-365-3229. Readers also may e-mail requests to plaughlin@fuchsna.com or visit http://www.fuchsna.com/LatinActionCollection.

About Fuchs North America
Fuchs North America is a leading producer and supplier of value-added seasonings, spices and flavor systems to the food manufacturing and foodservice industries. With a heritage that extends back more than 75 years, the company specializes in the development of full flavor systems, custom flavor profiles and seasoning products – including supporting some of the world’s largest and best-recognized food brands.

Fuchs North America’s seasoning specialists are experts in anticipating and identifying consumer trends – and converting them into successful flavor profiles. They work closely with food technologists and product development personnel at client companies to design distinctive, differentiated flavor systems. Fuchs products are made in a precision processing environment that ensures consistent, repeatable quality, order to order.

Since 1990, Fuchs North America has been part of the worldwide Fuchs Group, the largest privately-held spice and seasoning company in the industry. The Fuchs Group serves food manufacturing, foodservice and retail segments, backed by secure, quality sourcing plus state-of-the-art production facilities on four continents.

Website address: www.fuchsna.com.