This past week, our kosher food panel had the pleasure of spending two days in Secaucus, New Jersey at Kosherfest 2002. As always, we were amazed not only at the number of new kosher food products but also at the array of countries from which they are imported.

We tasted cheeses from Denamrk and Italy and sauces from Mexico, China and the Carribean. There were wines from Argentina, France, and Australia. There was a pavillion of products from Israel ? cheeses, snacks, wines, varieties of olives and sauces, soy puddings and cheeses, meats and much more. We tasted a smoked salmon from Quebec and pate from France

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Of course, there were many items made here in the USA. Soy ice cream from Turtle Mountain; jelly beans from Maccabeans who, legend has it, sustained the famous Judah and his followers in days of old; pretzels from Smackin' Good that taste just like a bagel; and brownies from Kitchen Whippers that are is just as good as anything your grandmother ever made. We tried Nature's Own apple juice in a pouch and the Jel-Serts jello in a tube. Two new items stand out ? Soda-Club USA sells a “Jet Home soda maker” that allows you to make your own flavored soda at home, and the Chocolate Printing Company was showing a product that allows you to print a photo in edible ink right onto a chocolate novelty.

We had the chance to visit with some old favorites ? soybeans from Eat Your Heart Out, chips from Glenny's, mozzerella sticks from Macabee Foods, a new flavored wrap from Wrapole and much more.

Over the next few months, we hope to bring you reviews of many of the products we saw and tasted. This week we will end with a review on a new product from Israel. Healthy Gourmet Plus imports a line of soy yogurts and cheeses from a company called Tzuriel. As someone who spends a lot of time tasting kosher soy products, I can tell you that they are without compare in the kosher market. The soy puddings come in three varieties ? regular (3%) fat, diet and light. Among the flavors you need to try are apple-pear, rosemarie chocolate, mocha and caramel. They have a smoked soy cheese that is great in a bagel and a full line of tofu based spreads. The products are being distributed in the New York area by Quality Kosher, and can be found in your local kosher grocery.

See ya' next month.

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Magazine Editor, The Jewish Press