Discovery Demos: Flavor Journeys (Day 1)

A walkable showcase of macro trends, Discovery Demo pods invite you to get hands-on with specialty food brands, encounter creative ideas, and consider your role in the food ecosystem. Head to Discovery Point (Booth 4631) to explore and get inspired!

The Flavor Journeys Pod

Taste trends from across the globe and regional America that are shaping the future of food. This pod will feature how spices are changing via sourcing, terroir, and entirely new products available on the global market for the first time. We will also focus on companies that have been caretaking traditions for hundreds of years that are now making a global impact. And we will look at the culinary mashup of America’s rich, immigrant-fueled cuisines, where neighbors with different ancestries create entirely unique flavors together.

Sarah Lohman, Culinary Historian & Author

Join Sarah for a brief introduction to her work and pod at 10:30am and 1:00pm!

Featuring:

(10:30 am - 12:30 pm) Rancho Meladuco: California-Grown Dates with Ancient Roots

• Step into the world of heirloom dates with Rancho Meladuco. This California farm is reviving one of the world’s oldest fruits with a modern twist—growing velvety, caramel-sweet Medjool dates alongside rare, local varieties in the Coachella Valley. Their hand-harvested dates reflect a deep respect for terroir, sustainability, and flavor. At this tasting, you’ll be guided through unique heirloom varieties, learn about ancient traditions, and even take home a baby date palm with a peat pot to sprout your own date pits—connecting you to the art of date cultivation. Discover how Rancho Meladuco is turning dates into a celebrated part of today’s culinary landscape.
• View the Rancho Meladuco Virtual Booth

(10:30 am - 12:30 pm) Yax Culinaria: Chaya and Beyond, Reimagining Yucatán Flavors for Today

• Yax Culinaria was born from four flavor-chasing souls with a passion for food, culture, and community. Drawn to the vibrant traditions of the Yucatán, they discovered Chaya—a leafy green superfood cultivated and revered by the Maya—and knew it deserved a broader stage. Today, YAX works with smallholder farmers near Tekax, Mexico, who have grown Chaya for generations. Through these direct relationships, YAX champions regenerative practices and celebrates the plant’s resilience, cultural significance, and exceptional nutritional density. From smoky achiote and bright citrus to earthy chiles and nutrient-rich Chaya, every product reflects centuries of heritage and terroir while inspiring bold, modern flavors. Explore how YAX is turning ancestral ingredients into a celebrated part of the contemporary culinary landscape.
• View the YAX Virtual Booth

(1 - 3 pm) Runamok Maple: Innovative Infusions, Timeless Roots

• In Vermont’s Green Mountains, Runamok Maple is transforming a centuries-old tradition into a canvas for bold flavor. Maple syrup—long tied to the terroir of sugarbush forests—starts with heritage craft and sustainable tapping. But Runamok takes it far beyond pancakes, introducing infusions that surprise and delight: banana rum for tropical warmth, blueberry and lemon for bright acidity, and cocoa bean for deep, earthy richness. They also experiment with smoked and barrel-aged syrups, echoing whiskey-making and global spice trends. The result is maple reimagined—an ingredient that moves effortlessly from breakfast to cocktails, marinades, and desserts. Runamok proves how regional roots can evolve into global creativity, shaping the future of taste through terroir, innovation, and cultural exchange.
• View the Runamok Virtual Booth

(1 - 3 pm) Borderless x Runamok: Inside the Sugarbush

• Borderless is a virtual reality company that transforms unseen stories into immersive experiences. In partnership with Runamok Maple, we’re inviting people to go beyond the bottle and discover where pure maple syrup begins. Through VR, audiences can step inside the sugarbushes and communities that make Runamok’s craft possible, experiencing the care, tradition, and innovation behind every pour. This collaboration reveals the tapping, forest stewardship, and sustainable practices that can’t fit on a label—bringing the essence of Vermont’s maple heritage to life.