by Angela James
I actually started out at this year’s Winter Fancy Food Show with a road map and a plan. In the past I have made the mistake of tasting everything that is offered to me but this year I was determined not to slip into my typical food haze, stay strong and remain focused! I began my journey on the hunt for new, intriguing products as I sampled my way through the US State specific show floor section. Being a lover of all things coconut, I was tickled to find Hey Boo’s Award winning Coconut Jams featured in the Savor California booth. I have long enjoyed Hey Boo’s version of a coconut spread, an indulgence I was introduced to as a kid. But this year I was lucky enough to sample Hey Boo’s newest concoctions – Coconut Caramels in four unique, Southeast Asian flavors -Vietnamese Coffee, Thai Iced Tea, Ginger Rum and Sea Salt. Soft, chewy and incredibly satisfying, I found it difficult to find a favorite, so I continued chatting and sampling much longer than I should have…
Founder Cristina Widjaja’s career focused on the high tech industry, but her passion for gourmet artisan foods eventually led her back to a treat from her Indonesian roots. All of Hey Boo’s jams and caramels are slow cooked in small batches using only high quality natural ingredients: premium coconut milk, cane sugar, and egg yolk. Organic agave syrup and cane sugar is used in the caramel sauce. Dairy and gluten free. Hey Boo Jams are available in three divine flavors: Coconut Jam, Mango Coconut Jam and Coconut Caramel (my personal go-to!)
Cristina has received high praise for her products from both the industry and consumers. She won a Silver Sofi Award from the Specialty Food Association (like an Oscar in the gourmet food world), and Jessica Seinfeld (yes, married to that Seinfeld) posted how much she loves Hey Boo to her 97,000 Instagram fans at @Heyboojams. You can also join her loyal following on Facebook at HeyBooJams. Buy some online here or use this store locator to pick some up at a store nearby.
Word Play 