Puerto Rican companies create flavors you experience at Epcot Food & Wine Festival

If you live here in Orlando, you know that Puerto Rico has strong ties with Central Florida. Not only is there a sizeable population here that calls Puerto Rico its home island, but many restaurants in the region share the flavors of Puerto Rico, too.

This year, during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, locals and tourists alike have experienced the flavors of Puerto Rico at the commonwealth’s marketplace pavilion presence at the festival.

And this past weekend I had the opportunity to learn a little more about two of the brands that are featured at the Puerto Rico marketplace at the event.

Of course, all good foods are made better by good drink. And there’s a Puerto Rican company that’s having an effect at Epcot.

Gasolina Urban Blends are ready-to-drink adult cocktails that come in individual servings, much like juice pouches. The company’s most popular flavor, Sangriiia, is being served at the Food & Wine Festival and has been so well-received that more than 100,000 glasses were sold in the first two weeks. It’s made with premium Caribbean rum, Acai and other 100-percent natural fruit juices.

Gasolina Sangriiia

I’ve tried the Sangriiia at multiple events and enjoyed it each time, so much so that I wondered if it can be purchased outside Puerto Rico, where it is manufactured. A Gasolina representative told me that liquor stores connected with Wal-Mart stores currently sell the products in Florida and the Northeast. Beginning in mid-November, however, Wal-Mart supermarkets will begin carrying the Gasolina products.

Gasolina Original

This weekend, I also tasted the Gasolina Original, which contains premium Caribbean rum, Agave tequila and passion fruit and other juices. It, too, is a sweet, smooth drink. It has the highest alcohol content of the seven flavors at 11 percent. I also took a sip of the Mojito flavor, which is made with premium Caribbean rum and natural lemon juice. I tended to favor the sweeter drinks over one as sour as this one, but the Mojito is an acquired taste many enjoy today, so this flavor probably will be a popular one.

Gasolina Mojito

Gasolina products complemented the food created by Mi Cosecha, a brand of the Greenpack company, at the event I attended. Mi Cosecha products are farm fresh fruits and vegetables that are peeled, cut and vacuum-sealed without preservatives. The company sells its products at retail chains, such as Wal-Mart and Costco; under a private label for a major fast-food chain in the United States; and through the Puerto Rico Department of Education’s school lunch program.

The Tostones (fried green plantains) at the Puerto Rico marketplace at Epcot are from Mi Cosecha. I’ve mentioned before that I have an affinity for Puerto Rican food because I lived on the island for three years when I was a child. So, I was happy to again sample the tostones at the party.

Fried Tostones with Chipotle Mayo
We also were treated to many other dishes created with Mi Cosecha products. Take a look below:

Cardamom Deep Fried Breadfruit Seasoned with Cured Ham Salt Topped with Garlic Atlantic Shrimp

Deep Fried Taro (malanga) Balls Stuffed with Pork

Mi Cosecha Malanga Chips with Pico de Gallo

Chocolate Waffle with Vanilla Gelato and Papaya;
Puff Pastry filled with Sweet Papaya and Queso Fresco

If you really want to experience the flavors of Puerto Rico firsthand and do it surrounded with a touch of Disney magic, then don’t forget: Disney Cruise Line recently announced that the Disney Wonder will be making return sailings to San Juan in 2016.

OK, so if that’s a bit much for you, then consider this instead: You still can visit the Puerto Rico marketplace at the Epcot Food & Wine festival through Nov. 10.

DISCLAIMER: I was a guest of Mi Consecha and Gasolina Urban Blends. This did not affect my story; my opinions are my own.

Follow @Kristin_B_Ford

Post a Comment