Food Imports Are As American As Apple Pie

Chloe Sorvino with Brooklyn Delhi founder and CEO Chitra Agrawal, Ori Zohar, CEO and cofounder of Burlap and Barrel, and tariff lawyer Leah ScarpelliBurlap and Barrel Even after walking thousands of steps these past few days in and out of aisles at the Fancy Food Show in New York City, I’m feeling surprisingly energized

And there are many tastes I can’t get out of my head

That includes the lion’s mane broth from organic mushroom farm Two River, Hold The Pickle dill seasoning (works well as a Tajin-style drink rim. ) from a New York City public school teacher, Salad Sprinkles, and smoked maple syrup from Sugar Bob’s

I also sampled dates from Saudi Arabia, matcha from Japan and cheeses from every corner in the world you could imagine

There was wagyu and venison

I also finally tried a fair amount of the crunchy and pistachio-filled Dubai Chocolate, and must admit I’m now fully on board with the trend

Most bably won’t get a win that big, but there were several brands with hot sauces I loved tasting and learning more, including the seed-to-bottle condiment maker Springs Fireplace It’s a husband-and-wife run farm out east in The Hamptons, and their fruity flavors Aji Peach and Aji Mango are top sellers

Another standout was Hot N Saucy’s Garlic N Peperoncini

Es I was less excited to see include Panama Blue, which is labeled on its bottle as “Rainforest Spring Water. ” I don’t know all the details of their, but that water should bably stay in the rainforest

I also did some speaking, as a panelist on the Big Ideas Stage to talk the future of private label, as well as a moderator on the main stage on the extremely timely topic of tariffs

And that’s simply because there are no U

Farmers who grow staples cinnamon and peppercorns

But there are generations who have mastered the art of farming these spices around the world, in Vietnam, where Burlap and Barrel sources both

Burlap and Barrel has committed to not raising prices due to tariffs

And exemptions may eventually be possible, especially in cases where there are no domestic alternatives

But there’s a lot that is still getting lost amid all the uncertainty and deal-making chaos

Tariffs are pressuring brands to erase the true origins of key ingredients that have their own authentic histories, and Zohar is not standing for it

He d an impassioned plea for everyone to think quintessential American dishes, apple pie and barbecue

Now imagine that apple pie without cinnamon

And imagine those burgers or shrimp or chicken or ribs without pepper

It’s as American as apple pie to cook with spices from around the world

So as you celebrate the Fourth of July this weekend, consider what your spread would look without any imported ingredients

You might be surprised

Enjoy the long weekend. — Chloe Sorvino This is Forbes’ Fresh Take, which every Wednesday brings you the on the big ideas changing the future of food

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Noam Galai/Getty Images From Forbes contributor Errol Schweizer: New Yorkers turned out big time to support mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s plans to open public grocery stores

Here’s why the posal is so, and so viable

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John Barrasso (R-WY) (L) and Sen

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A similar bill in the Oklahoma house of representatives died earlier this year, while recent legislation in South Carolina goes the route of requiring clean labeling of any artificial or cell-based duct

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Field NotesChloe Sorvino These meatballs from chef Marc Meyer at New York City’s Cookshop, made with La Belle Patrimone heritage chicken, were the best I’ve ever had

Silky, herby, and luxuriously smooth, in a perfectly meatball-y way

Let me know what you think

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