California’s table grape industry has been encouraging Chinese consumers to “taste the dream” over the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The campaign, coordinated under the Grapes from California programme, was launched with an event at the Renaissance Capital Beijing Hotel earlier this month. The event saw dozens of members from the Chinese media and numerous gourmet-food connoisseurs sample new season offerings from the US state.
Bruce Zanin, minister-counselor of agriculture at the US Embassy in Beijing, was invited to be the first guide in the pursuit of “dream tasting”, taking the opportunity to explain the value of US agricultural products in the Chinese market. Afterwards, Susan Day, vice president of international marketing at the California Table Grape Commission, gave an introduction on the extensive work the commission does to promote and highlight the quality of Californian grapes far and wide, especially in China.
Nutritionist Na Liu explained a range of facts about the health benefits of Californian grapes, while a chef demonstrated how to make two Californian grape refreshments.
“The most stirring moment at the event was the final dream section,” according to a Grapes from California press release. 'Due to the Mid-Autumn Festival, many people dream of reunion and happiness for the whole family.
'During this period, the lucky event guests, through tasting the dream of Grapes from California, expressed their longing for their family members, and their hope to return home and enjoy the reunion with the delicious grapes from California and share delicacies.”
The Taste the Dream event continued into a second day, with chefs teaching guests how to make Chinese mooncakes with California table grape stuffing, in order to welcome the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival.
