*ad/*pr-event with Helsinki Food Fair
The Food Fair 2026 will take place at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre from 24–26 April 2026, and I had the opportunity to preview a selection of brands that will also be present at the event. Below is a curated overview of tasting experiences, product impressions, and a few practical ideas for what to look for – either at the fair itself or later in your local grocery store in Finland.
Selected Brands and Tasting Notes
Gourmet Chips – Wild Garlic (Karhunlaukka)
A slightly more “refined” take on classic chips. The texture is notably firm and crunchy, with a pleasant wild garlic undertone that adds depth without overpowering.
Bangkok Tea – Sparkling Black Tea
A refreshing and gently energizing iced tea produced in the UK. Notably free from preservatives, this kombucha-style beverage offers natural carbonation and a light, elegant mouthfeel. A well-balanced alternative to sugary soft drinks.
Kanelimamma Choco – Chocolate Truffle with Sea Salt and Toffee Crumbs
A layered tasting experience: it begins subtly cocoa-like, develops into rich sweetness, and finishes with a sharp saline note. Highly indulgent yet still suitable for a coffee table setting. Also works well as a gift item.
Sofiero Non-Alcoholic Beer
An initially acceptable taste profile, but the aftertaste leans toward a soapy note. Not particularly compelling.
Herbamare Organic Herbal Sea Salt
A familiar kitchen staple, especially the chili version. The herbal variant complements it well, though if choosing only one, the chili version remains the stronger option.
Barilla Pesto alla Calabrese
Works effectively with lentil pasta, though less compatible with filled fresh pasta. Could be interesting as a burger spread for a Mediterranean twist.
Linkosuo Raspberry-Coated Oat Puff
Visually modest and not immediately eye-catching for a coffee table, unless catering to gluten-free needs. However, it pairs surprisingly well with coffee and functions nicely as a light sweet snack.
The Good Guys – Fiber Pop Peach Wellness Drink
Pleasant to drink and leaves a “feel-good” impression, though it raises the question of whether that effect comes from its nutritional profile or sugar content.
O’Tasty Granola – Raspberry Muffin
A welcome new flavor from a previously familiar product line. While enjoyable, earlier versions (notably the classic yellow-pack variant) still stand out more in terms of overall taste.
Spice Up! Laksa Paste and Bali Curry Paste
These ready-made pastes simplify the preparation of Southeast Asian dishes, especially for those who enjoy Indonesian flavors but lack time to build recipes from scratch.
A practical note: storage matters. A loosely closed jar once resulted in a dramatic kitchen incident – when dropped, the sauce spread from floor to ceiling. See the picture in the article in Finnish.
While memorable, it was less than ideal. Fortunately, cleaning tools from SINI handled most of the mess effectively, although some staining required stronger solutions.
Snacks, Drinks and Functional Products
French Fries Seasoning – Parmesan & Truffle
A versatile seasoning that works beyond fries. Tested it on oven-baked potato wedges, and it delivered a rich, aromatic upgrade and proved more compelling than standard rosemary seasoning.
My Snack – Papaya Real Fruit Bar
A decent snack option, though fresh papaya remains preferable in terms of flavor and texture.
Foodin – Dandy Candy Date Bar
Consistently reliable. Products from Foodin rarely disappoint and often serve as dependable choices in grocery stores.
Kouvola Liquorice
A standout bag of rich, black liquorice. A gluten-free version would make it even more desirable.
Jungle Juice Bar – By The Whey Supersmoothie
A convenient ready-to-drink format. However, the inclusion of milk may not appeal to everyone; a dairy-free version would broaden its appeal.
Kili Cascara Energy Drinks
An interesting innovation made from cascara, the dried skin of coffee cherries. This product highlights a sustainable approach—utilizing parts of the coffee fruit that are typically discarded.
Additional Highlights
Special mention goes to:
- The Good Guys – Lime Time Kombucha: bright, fresh, and highly refreshing
- Villi Vitamin Drink – Gentle Apple: smooth and approachable flavor profile
- Platta restaurant in Helsinki Fair center for the delicious dessert
Event Overview and Visitor Information
The Food Fair – Ruoka, Food, Mat – is part of a larger event weekend at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, held simultaneously with children’s and pet-related exhibitions. This creates a broad, multi-interest environment suitable for diverse audiences.
Key details:
- Dates: 24–26 April 2026
- Location: Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre
- Parallel events: children’s fair and pet fair
- Age policy: K18 event, but minors may attend when accompanied by an adult guardian
This preview showcased a wide spectrum of products – from indulgent treats to functional beverages and practical cooking aids. The fair itself is likely to offer even greater diversity, making it a valuable destination for anyone interested in food trends, product discovery, and culinary inspiration in Finland.
And now, when you travel to Finland, you will have some idea what to try from the grocery stores.
Read more about travel in Helsinki
And more about travel in Finland
Find more food related articles in INDIVUE here.
Read this article about Helsinki Food Fair also in Finnish
INDIVUE - travel & art 
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