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NATURALLY HEALTHY www.gourmetnews.com n MARCH 2017 n GOURMET NEWS N H 1 2 8 Rembrandt Extra Aged Gouda Rembrandt Extra Aged Gouda is 100 per- cent naturally and masterfully crafted from the milk of grass-fed cows. Tradi- tionally ripened for one year, it is made from an exclusive Dutch Gouda recipe, a traditional approach that was specially created for producing and maturing the cheese in a classic, natural way. This award-winning Dutch cheese has the sharpness of an aged Gouda balanced with a smooth, firm texture. It has a golden color and subtle caramel fla- vor. It is a true Dutch mas- terpiece. For more information, go to www.janafoods.com, email info@janafoods.com or call 201.866.5001. What is Wagyu? A Guide to the Famed Beef By Bob Estrin, President, Lone Mountain Wagyu Wagyu beef is quietly taking the food scene by storm. The past several years have seen an increase in fine dining and casual restau- rants offering everything from Wagyu burg- ers to imported Japanese cuts. However, this surge in offerings has come with some con- fusion. Due to generic use of the terms "Wagyu" and "Kobe," many meat lovers are finding themselves unsure of what Wagyu actually means. As the leading purveyor of Fullblood Wagyu in the country, part of our mission at Lone Mountain Wagyu is to edu- cate consumers and restaurateurs on this spe- cial breed of cattle and the exceptional beef it produces. All Kobe is Wagyu; Not All Wagyu is Kobe Originally hailing from Japan, Wagyu is a breed of cattle genetically predisposed to have the most intense marbling of any cattle in the world. The most famous type of Wagyu beef is Kobe beef, the expensive Japanese delicacy. There are different strains of Wagyu, with Japanese Black being the most prominent. In Japan, raising Wagyu has been done with craft and care over generations of farmers. Wagyu is now bred in varying degrees of pu- rity around the world, including Australia and the United States. Kobe beef is beef from Fullblood Japan- ese Black Wagyu cattle that are bred, raised and slaughtered in Kobe city, the capital of the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan. Farmers must use specific practices and the beef must meet strict grading criteria. Only about 3,000 cattle achieve this status each year, and only 10 percent of the beef is ex- ported out of Japan. Authentic Kobe beef in the U.S. is very rare, costing hundreds of dollars per pound. Wagyu in America The majority of Wagyu in the U.S. have been used for crossbreeding with conventional cattle like Angus. The most common type of Wagyu is F1 – 50 percent Wagyu and 50 percent conventional cattle. The higher the percent- age of Wagyu genetics, the more prominent the qualities such as intense marbling and rich flavor will be. Fullblood Wagyu, Wagyu cattle that have never been crossbred and are DNA-Certified back to their Japanese ancestry, are rare in the United States. There are estimated to be 30,000 Wagyu-influenced cattle being raised domestically, less than 5,000 being Full- blood. Regarded as some of the best beef in the world, the marbling found in Fullblood Wagyu beef is dense and delicate, creating a luscious, creamy texture unparalleled in other types of beef. In the U.S., beef that has a marbling con- tent of 8.59 percent or higher is considered Prime. The Fullblood Wagyu we produce at Lone Mountain has an average of 33 percent, magnitudes beyond prime. Raising Wagyu Raising Wagyu requires care and patience. This special breed is born with a "marbling gene," a unique component of their DNA which lends itself to cultivating the ex- traordinary marbling Wagyu is famed for. In order for this gene to "turn on," Wagyu must be raised in an environment which eliminates stress as much as possible. Skilled Wagyu ranchers give their cattle in- dividual care and implement practices that create a happy and easy lifestyle for the an- imals. At Lone Mountain Wagyu, we are proud to exclusively raise Fullblood Wagyu cattle that have never been crossbred, without hor- mones or subtherapeutic antibiotics. We in- dividually DNA-Certify each of our cattle to ensure direct lineage to its Japanese heritage. To learn more, go to www.lone mountainwagyu.com. DORVAL Offers Finest Chocolates, Cocoa Under DORVAL PREMIUM COLLECTION Brand DORVAL TRADING CO, LTD. received the Non-GMO Project Verification seal for its DORVAL PREMIUM COLLECTION ® COCOA. This seal lets consumers know that DORVAL PREMIUM COLLECTION has met the Non-GMO Project Standard to avoid genetically modified organisms (GMO). The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit or- ganization and is North America's only third- party verification and labeling source for non-GMO food and products. Once products are verified, they are authorized to bear the Non-GMO Verification seal, indicating that the item has gone through Non-GMO Pro- ject's strenuous Verification process. "We recognize today's retailers and con- sumers have high standards and have be- come more aware of the use of GMOs in some products," says Roberta Cappel, Pres- ident at DORVAL. "At DORVAL, we strive to add superior quality to the market with our chocolate and cocoa products using natural ingredients. We are confident that this veri- fication will continue to increase distribution of our DORVAL PREMIUM COLLEC- TION COCOA brand into more outlets which are committed to non-GMO prod- ucts." The cocoa is kosher for Passover and all year use. Available in 12-count cases as well as a 32-count shipper, the DORVAL PRE- MIUM COLLECTION COCOA box has an upscale, premium look that will stand out among the rest. For its chocolate offer- ing, DORVAL PREMIUM COLLECTION brand 2.64- ounce Chocolate Sticks and Crispy Chocolate Thins are imported from Holland. The 2.64-ounce Sticks are currently available in four flavor varieties: Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Mint Dark Chocolate and Caramel Milk Chocolate. The Crispy Choco- late Thins are available in Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate, and feature the newest flavor profiles to the Collection: Milk Chocolate with Orange and Milk Chocolate with Hazelnut. The delicate, thin chocolates with a crispy texture make it a truly unique and dynamic item that stands out over the rest. Each 2.64-ounce box of Sticks and Thins has stunning, brightly colored graphics that showcase the items within. All items in DOR- VAL PREMIUM COLLECTION are made with high quality, all natural ingredients which highlight the marvelous rich taste of each of the flavor profiles and will be noticed with every bite. The addition of DORVAL PRE- MIUM COLLECTION to the al- ready diverse portfolio of DORVAL has rapidly proven to be a large suc- cess in the marketplace. About DORVAL Since 1966, the DORVAL name has been synonymous with quality confections. For more than 50 years, DORVAL has been an importer of an extensive range of high quality confectionery products from major manufac- turers around the world. DORVAL has grown into a significant presence in the confec- tionery and specialty distribution arena. Look for more high quality items from DORVAL PREMIUM COLLECTION coming soon. For more information, call 800.367.8252, email info@dorvaltrading.com or go to www.dorvaltrading.com. Benissimo Oils Offer Flavor for Every Meal A new year brings new opportunities in the kitchen. For some, this means cooking more family dinners and getting kids involved in planning and preparing meals. Others want to learn how to cook gourmet meals, and of course, many people are focused on clean eating. With a variety of products in the Benis- simo family, including gourmet infused oils and vinegars and non-GMO fruit and seed oils, Benissimo has something to help all customers achieve better meals. Perhaps the most common improvement is that of preparing lighter and more flavorful foods. Benissimo infused oils offer a healthy way to add incredible flavor to any dish without the typical feeling of "diet depriva- tion." Just one look at the beautiful herbs and spices inside a bottle can inspire a wealth of healthy, flavorful menu ideas. Salad dress- ings, roasted meats and vegetables, soups, crudité platters and more can go from boring to exciting when prepared with Benissimo infused oils. For those who want to make family meal preparation a priority, Benissimo infused oils are an ingredient that looks incredible sitting on the countertop and will easily en- tice even inexperienced cooks to open a bottle and explore the opportunities it brings to their kitchens. Experienced cooks are drawn to the diversity of flavors as well, and will enjoy drizzling infused oils that range from Mediterranean Garlic to Spicy Sriracha Oil on soups and dips as a beautiful garnish that adds amazing flavor. In addition to Benissimo's infused oils and balsamic vinegars, customers who are inter- ested in clean eating and adding healthy oils to their diets will enjoy the line of non-GMO fruit and seed oils. Benissimo Avocado and Grapeseed Oils have a clean, fresh flavor and a high smoking point that is perfect for pan-seared chicken, fish, veg- etables and salad dressings. Benissimo Toasted Sesame Oil adds a fantastic, nutty flavor to noodles, fish, chicken, sauces, sal- ads and slaws. For sales and distribution, contact Source Atlantique at 201.947.1000, x139. Additional details are available at www.source atlantique.com/brand/benissimo.

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