Tropical Flavors at 16th Americas Food & Beverage Show, Miami, Fla.

Tropical flavors abounded at the 16th Americas Food & Beverage Show. Held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, this 400 exhibitor plus show had many delicious treats from rum made with Florida citrus to wine made with tropical Florida fruit, and chocolate made with native Bolivian Cocoa beans.

A tasty newcomer was Florida Caribbean Distillers based in Central Florida. They source Florida citrus to make their rum and have done so since 1942 when grains were in short supply. I got to try some of their rum with an orange on the front. It tasted a lot like Grand Marnier.

Joe Reyes of Schnebly Winery and Brewery, 16th Americas
Food and Beverage Show, Miami Beach Convention
Center, Miami, Fla

Schnebly Redland's Winery and Brewery was there showing off their latest wines Cat 2 Hurricane Vino White (made with avocado and coconut) and Cat 2 Hurricane Vino Red (made with avocado and guava). According to Joe Reyes, Director of Marketing, the new Cat 2 Hurricane vino bottles were designed by social media from the traditional cork to the melted wax seal. Reyes added the wine was now being sold at many Walgreen stores in south Florida.

Jorge Camacho of Bolivia's fruits, 16th Americas Food
and Beverage Show, Miami Beach Convention Center,
Miami, Fla.

Another surprising taste came from Bolivia's Fruit USA. They had products that were both gluten-free and vegan including chocolate made from a Bolivian native organic cacao bean called Criolla.

Criolla, native cacao beans to Beniano area of Bolivia,
Bolivia's Fruit booth, 16th Americas Food & Beverage
Show, Miami Beach, Fla.

According to Jorge Camacho, General Manager of Bolivia's Fruits, these cacao beans are smaller than their hybridized commercial crop cousins. But native to the Beniano area of Bolivia.