Bell Flavors and Fragrances used the Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting & Food Expo in Chicago to highlight flavors from one of its Spark™ trends insights series: “The Well-Traveled Kitchen: India.”

This trend features flavors that are intoxicatingly aromatic with mysterious boldness and exotic versatility. Capable of running the gamut from savory to sour and spicy to sweet, the unique contrasting tastes of India can create new comfort foods for consumers.

During the convention’s first two days, Bell Flavors & Fragrances’ savory corner showcased Bhel Puri, which is made out of puffed rice, vegetables and tamarind sauce. Bhel Puri is a savory snack or chaat originating in cafes and street food stalls of Mumbai. The dish prepared by Bell featured a cilantro tamarind chaat sauce which includes Tamarind, Garam Masala and Cilantro Flavors as well as a cucumber mint raita with a Cucumber and Mint flavor. To make the dish spicier a tamarind fire sauce with Sweet Cooked Tamarind and Garam Masala Flavor is available.

On Tuesday, the savory dish was a naan pizza topped with makhani sauce with Tikka Masala Curry Flavor, madras curry pimento cheese with Yellow Madras Curry and Cumin Flavor and sweet and spicy mango chutney with Mango Flavor. Naan originates from India and is the most popular flat bread served with South Asian food.

In the sweet corner, Bell served malai gola, which is the perfect Indian summer dessert. This common street food dessert is simple when you think about the ingredients but complex when you experience the flavors. Gola is literally shaved ice that can be topped with a variety of flavored syrups, fruits and/or dried fruits.

Combinations that are suggested to try include the Delhi-uxe with Tamarind, Cumin, Pineapple, Mango and Saffron Flavors. The Double Mango variety has a Green Mango Flavor and Juicy Mango Flavor as well as Chai Flavor. Also available is Kashmiri Rose with Pineapple and Rose Cardamom Flavor in addition to Indian Summer with Orange, Saffron and Coconut Cream Flavor.

Bell also used its beverage corner and sample the cold brew flavored coffees. Cold brew is becoming the iced coffee drink of choice for many US consumers. Mintel reports state that retails sales of cold brew have reached $7.9 million in sales, increasing 115% since 2014. Overall, the market of cold brew has seen a very accelerated and healthy growth since 2010 with a 339% increase to date. Bell Flavors & Fragrances sampled a Vanilla Cardamom and Indian Spice Flavor.

Bell Flavors and Fragrances, Inc. is a leader in the flavor and fragrance industry. With manufacturing plants in five countries, as well as more than 40 sales offices around the world, Bell has the ability to create the flavor, fragrance or botanical for any application.

For more information visit the company’s website at www.bellff.com.