Chili from the Czech Republic, puffed tomatoes from Poland and Bulgarian buffalo cheese

Innovation from Poland: “Puffins” puffed fruit, vegetables and cheese

The tasting pieces on the black plates look rather unspectacular - but in terms of taste, they really pack a punch. Crispy to the bite, and the full aroma of sunny tomatoes unfolds immediately. Or that of fresh mango, beet or white mulberry. With “puffins”, fruit and vegetables are not freeze-dried, but puffed - which means that water is quickly extracted from them under high pressure without them being frozen first. “This makes them crispier, more aromatic and more intense in color,” says owner and inventor Piotr Barczvk. The engineer developed the process and had it patented. He also puffs Cheddar and Gouda into small cheese balls that are reminiscent of potato chips, but without any additives. (Hall 11.2, Stand 122)

Horseradish grated fresh, keeps for months

Pure and freshly grated horseradish is available from “efko”. The roots themselves come from Styria/Austria, but they are processed in the efko production halls in the Czech Republic, which specialize in pickled gherkins, peppers and onions. Thanks to a patented process, the horseradish retains its white color and full sharpness in the jar for six months, without any preservatives. (Hall 11.2, Stand 115)

Huhuu Chilli from the Czech Republic - for beginners and die-hards

When Tomáš Hinduliak tried a Dorset Naga - one of the hottest chilli varieties in the world - for the first time twelve years ago, tears streamed down his cheeks and he struggled for fifteen minutes with coughing fits and shortness of breath. When he got his breath back, the English graduate stood in his kitchen and created his first chili sauce. He now has his own company, “Huhuu Chilli”, and a whole range of chili sauces, chutneys and kimchi, both milder ones for chili beginners and blends for the really hard-boiled, for example a mixture with Carolina Reaper Red - the hottest chili in the world. Don't miss the passion fruit and mango sauce and the plum chili sauce with cloves and cinnamon. (Hall 11.2, Stand 115)

From spruce to passion fruit: syrup from the south of the Czech Republic

The “Vladimir 2014” company from the Bohemian Forest has around 40 different types of syrup on offer, and the young Czechs have brought a selection of twelve varieties to Grüne Woche. For example, raspberry, pineapple-kiwi, blueberry, spruce-mint or rooibos tea. The thick syrup is mixed with water in a ratio of one to ten to make a nice fruity, fresh lemonade. All products are free from preservatives and colorants. Whole fruits are processed, mainly from farmers in the region. (Hall 11.2, Stand 120)

From the family farm: buffalo cheese from Bulgaria

Four types of buffalo cheese can be tasted at the Ivan Antonov Echev stand: as pure buffalo cheese, with chili, with smoked paprika or with typical Bulgarian herbs. The family business from the north of Bulgaria also offers buffalo salami for meat lovers. (Hall 11.2, Stand 121)

Samples from Ukraine

For the first time since 2019, Ukraine will be represented with a stand at Grüne Woche. Products will not be sold here, only exhibited. Visitors are invited to sample Ukrainian cuisine at the long counter, for example crispy fried chicken balls or a wrap with chicken, salad and sauce. After almost three years of war, the country wants to show how strong and competitive its agriculture still is despite all the obstacles, says an official representative. Ukraine wants to trade and sees itself as part of Europe. (Hall 18, Stand 104)