Speak Their Language: Food Speak within the Promotional Products Industry

As a promotional products professional, have you asked yourself “Why should I sell food?”  Or have you been working with a customer on a food gift project and wondered what the difference between milk and dark chocolate was? Or why some sweet treats have sea salt on them?  We are here to help! 

There are a multitude of reasons for your clients to consider gourmet food gifts for upcoming events and holiday season.  Here are just a few:

• Food is part of our culture and nearly every event offers food in some size, shape, style, or taste!
• Food embodies all five senses.  It allows the recipient to see, feel, smell, hear (the crunch!) and most importantly taste their delicious gift!
• Food creates memories and nostalgia.
• Food is enjoyable, fun, and delicious.
• Food creates emotions they will simply never forget.

Once you realize that food gifts are a no-brainer for promotional gifting, it’s important to recognize certain terminology and key points that will assure your customer of the high-quality product you can offer.  Below are some of the questions our team of Gift Specialists have been asked throughout the years, and our answers:

What’s the difference between Milk and Dark Chocolate?

Some of us prefer a sweet, creamy milk chocolate, and some prefer a dark, rich chocolate with a bit more bite.  But other than the sweetness, what is the real difference between milk and dark chocolate?  The difference lies in the amount of chocolate liquor and milk fat each type of chocolate contains.  Milk chocolate must be at least 10% chocolate liquor and 12% milk solids – while dark chocolate must be at least 15% chocolate liquor and less than 12% milk solids.  So, which do you prefer?  The answer may be less significant than sampling the possibilities!

Why does some chocolate and other sweet treats have sea salt on them?

Salt intensifies the body’s ability to taste the sweetness of sugar, leading to a more complex tasting experience.  In other words, sea salt enhances the flavor of the chocolate!

Why are Maple Ridge Farms mixed nuts “Deluxe Mixed Nuts”?  What’s the difference between yours and regular ol’ nuts?

Most mixed nuts typically contain a combination of four or more types of nuts such as peanuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, and pecans.  The Maple Ridge Farms blend is considered “Deluxe” because it does not contain peanuts – making it a higher-end combination of salty goodness.

What’s the difference between Mild and Medium Cheddar Cheese?  What makes some of the Maple Ridge Farms cheese shelf-stable?

Aging is the only difference between mild and medium cheddars.  The longer the cheese is aged naturally the sharper and more pronounced the flavor of the cheddar becomes.  Mild cheddar is typically aged for 2-3 months, whereas a medium cheddar would be aged for 4-8 months.  The process of making a cheese that is shelf-stable (and equally enticing as a natural cheese) is simply blending and cooking the cheese to pasteurization.  The process allows the delicious flavor and texture of natural cheeses to come through with the added benefit of extended shelf life. (Although it does not require refrigeration upon receipt, it should be refrigerated upon opening the actual package of cheese.)

We would love to hear the questions regarding terminology relating to gourmet food gifts you and your customers may be puzzled over.  Let us help you “speak the language” of a promotional products foodie!