Michele and I spent this afternoon at the 53rd Annual Fancy Foods Show. We snaked around the aisles of the enormous Javits Centers for hours, stopping to taste each delicious sample. Exhibitors from around the globe participated in the show, introducing us to the finest specialty food and beverages in the world.

This year they included a special natural and organic section, where Michele and I tried fair trade certified Dagoba Milagros 68% Peruvian organic chocolate. Smooth and rich, it was the perfect way to start off the show.

We grabbed a glass of Gus's “Dry Meyer Lemon” soda , a not-too-sweet, slightly carbonated beverage that is incredibly thirst-quenching and makes a great alternative to pop. Fill your fridge with these drinks instead of sodas – they’re much more refreshing and certainly much better for you.

Michele and I were first lured to Bella Cucina Artful Food by the inviting display, and were delighted to find that their condiments, crackers and sauces were just as pleasing to our taste buds as the beautiful packaging was to our eyes. We filled buttery Sweet Pastry Crostatas with a Key Lime Spread and discovered a little bit of heaven right in aisle 4700. Their bottles of olive oil have beautiful labels and would make perfect hostess gifts for a summer party.

After gobbling up chocolate-covered pretzels, bourbon candy-coated pecans, iced shortbread and other devilish goodies, we intentionally moved on to healthier options and found Himalanaia Goji Berries. These dried, red berries are nutrient-rich and common throughout China and Tibet. Enjoy them in salads, trail mixes or on their own when you need some energy on the go - they taste like raisins, only strangely tangy and heartier. They’ll probably be everywhere soon, but for now, you can find them online .

The show was wrapping up and after hours of walking, tasting, chewing and smiling, we slowly made our way to the exit. Just before the door, we discovered Airforce Nutrisoda , a new kind of drink with zero sugar, tons of vitamins, refreshing flavor and only ten little calories. I sampled “Energize” with mandarin and mint flavors and Michele enjoyed “Calm” with wild berry and citron. We’re big fans now.

We left the show happy and full but having only visited half of the exhibits.

Here’s to seeing – and tasting – more delectable treats tomorrow!

Rachel