WHERE, WHEN, WHAT?
The blackcurrant contests take place during our international blackcurrant conferences. There is no fixed date for these conferences, but our member country associations generally organize them in June.
The participants in the contest can present as much products as they want in three different categories:
- Cassis, cordials, juices
- Food products (Preserves, fruit leathers, pies, confectionary)
- Functional food (nutraceutical products which offer proven health benefits, made from all elements of the blackcurrant fruit, backed by hard science)
WHY HAVING A BLACKCURRANT CONTEST?
During our meetings since the existence of the International Blackcurrant Association in 2008, we have noticed that many blackcurrant products exist in many countries. Nevertheless, only few products are available internationally. Every country thus has its blackcurrant specialties. But the range of products available per country is rather limited:
France mainly produces liqueurs (crème de cassis). United Kingdom’s blackcurrants mainly go into the production of Ribena. German customers will buy blackcurrant juices and blackcurrant nectars. In Poland, people eat blackcurrant jams. And in Japan, a country without commercial blackcurrant production, customers buy nutraceuticals made with blackcurrant extracts for a better eyesight. And this is how it goes in every country of the world. Of course, beside these mainstream products, there is always a small production of original and innovative blackcurrant products.
Anyhow, whatever the blackcurrant product is, it rarely crosses borders. And finally, it has difficulties to get into the habits of other countries.
This is the reason why we have started our blackcurrant contest: we show each other, the press and the public what processors can make with blackcurrants all over the world!
CONTEST = WINNERS
If we call it “blackcurrant contest”, this of course means that there are winners!
A team of 6 blackcurrant professionals examines, tastes, looks closely at each of the products behind closed doors. Each of them notes his or her comments on the general aspect, labels, content and taste (if applicable) of the samples. Meanwhile, all the participants of the conference can have a look at the other samples, which we openly display in the meeting rooms. A deliberation by the panel will determine one winner per category and an overall winner for an innovative product.
But not only the four winners take advantage of their participation: every exhibitor wins by displaying his/her product to the public – and may gain new customers, markets, and have publicity!
