Imagine the Champs-Elysees covered with flowers, trees, agricultural crops, and vegetable gardening ... this image became a reality on May 23 and 24 this year! The most beautiful avenue in the world was transformed into a huge patchwork plant, to the delight of hundreds of thousands of passers by.

With nearly 1.8 million visitors, the operation "Capital Nature" seemed to have "fully achieved its purpose", said Carole Dore, vice president of the Union of Young Farmers and founding partner of the event with France Wood Forest."We wanted to understand that agriculture is vital for future generations, so it is important that farmers continue to feed this image into our landscapes through the diversity of production," she said.

String beans, bananas, cabbage, canola, grapes, wheat, mustard, beans, pineapples ... 150 species of agricultural and forestry from the entire territory were deployed, forming a patchwork of 8000 vegetable plots on the floor of the Champs Elysees. "Agriculture is at the heart of Paris. The forest is at the heart of Paris, I hope this is the symbol of our conception of agriculture", said Mr. Bruno Le Maire, the Minister of food, agriculture, and fisheries. He continues and says that this sector should not be, "considered as a side activity, it should be at the heart of our lives."

Good news for lovers of natural and good-tasting products: for the three flavored salts under the brand Le Guérandais, the herbs and vegetables now carry the label the AB (Biological Agriculture).

These flavored salts can be paired with so many of the foods that we love: salads, blended drinks, gazpacho, but also meat and grilled fish. A product of the ocean, the sun and wind, Guérandais salts are harvested by hand using a traditional artistic method that has been passed down from previous millennia. This 100% natural salt is sorted and screened to ensure consistent quality for consumers. It is rich in magnesium and trace elements and is suitable for all uses.

Herbal tastes and perfumes make for an enriching and ideal seasoning for salad dressings, vegetables that are grilled to the delight of foodies. With grilled tomatoes, gently cooked vegetables, salads or raw vegetables, this salt is the perfect combination. Full of taste, quality and originality, these are all good reasons to treat your privileged guests at your dining tables. Unleash your creativity and enjoy!

For more information: www.salinesdeguerande.com

With 28% of total production destined for the international markets, France is the second largest European exporter of apricot just behind Spain. Over the years, research has helped to develop more varieties of apricot in order to satisfy global consumers. These French products are everywhere in Europe, for example in Germany and in Poland. And this trend is ever-increasing.

The apricots are produced 100% in the South of France, notably the Bergeron with its firm skin and dark red flesh; the large and firm Goldrich; the copper colored and bright Orangered that tastes pleasant and musky; l'Orangé de Provence with its firm flesh and excellent taste; the No. 1 Lambertin distinguished mainly by its yellow-orange core; the tasty orange-colored Roussillon that shines its bright flesh dotted with red spots; and Early Blush, harvested in end-May and whose flesh covers all shades of orange.

These apricots can be eaten raw, in a salad, or in desserts, such as in a pie or a crumble, a Charlotte cake, or a kazoo (baked dough filled with sweet cream and sprinkled with sliced almonds). Apricots show up a fair amount in savory dishes as they are tart, refreshing and thus complimentary, especially in poultry turkey, capon, and quail.

The distinct region of France that pronounces the Gamay grape the king of grapes, and whose wines are famous for their light and delicate qualities, is the Beaujolais region.

With one of the most wide-ranging landscapes embodied by slopes, mountains, plains, and hills, this bountifully sun-drenched region is destined to offer a unique terroir that winemakers rely on to create certain wines of their own expression - sometimes floral, other times fruit-driven but always heady and a delight to experience and share.

Beaujolais is home to some 3,500 estates, of which the Beaujolais Crus appellation predominates, with the Beaujolais appellation following closely behind, and lastly the Beaujolais-villages appellation; however, what these three appellations have in common is the compulsory practice of hand-picking each grape, making this the only region to necessitate this other than the Champagne region. On average, a harvester picks 500 kg of grapes on any given harvesting day. The result: 99% Gamay red wines and 1% Chardonnay white wines.

Most of Beaujolais' fame roots from the white-juiced black Gamay grape varietal, which is a small yet fertile and juicy grape that produces attractive and aromatic hues of cherry and raspberry, and is very light in tannins. These characteristics are often further enhanced by the vinification technique, a variation on carbonic maceration that extracts colors and fruit flavors and very little tannin, giving the wine a character that can suggest kirsch, bananas, bubblegum, and cinnamon-like spices.

Within the rolling granitic hills, 10 villages are recognized to produce wines of particular distinction and identitifiable character. This June, Ms. Aurélie Vabre, a representative from Inter Beaujolais and Mr. Nelson Chow, the president of the Hong Kong Sommelier Association, hosted a successful Beaujolais wine seminar for the trade and media, including journalists, wine merchants and sommeliers, using wines from these 10 villages. A food and wine pairing was also introduced to show that Beaujolais wines paired well with Asian cuisine. Those that came to the seminar said it was a good introduction to the region, and they learned to appreciate Beaujolais for what it was year-round, not just once a year in November.

The district of Wanchai may be teeming with fresh fruit stalls, print houses, market alleyways, newspaper stands, office buildings, retail shops, and restaurants, etc... But amidst the hustle and bustle, pedestrians that walk by the fancy looking Kui Chi Mansion building on 100 Queen's Road East of Wanchai will be happy to find that they’re just two steps away from refreshing ciders, delicious rums, cocktails, specialty French dishes, and made-to-order fresh French crêpes. What better reason to take a break from the busy streets below and treat yourself to something tasty, special, and different?

Following the success of its sister chain restaurant in Shanghai, "La Crêperie" made an exciting entrance when it opened in Hong Kong this March; catering to the extensive local French community as a home away from home while using the finest and freshest ingredients, this cozy restaurant presents a fascinating nautical-decorated, Brittany-themed backdrop to complement an enticing menu. Dishes include: a Brittany sparkling cocktail welcome drink, smoked salmon and scallops, fresh oysters, foie gras crepes, chestnut mousse, and galettes (savory crepes) ?one such example is "Super Eckmuhl galette", which includes French Reblochon cheese, potatoes, bacon lardons, and onions. There seems to be something for everybody on this menu, where the full crêpe experience awaits!

Thanks to 500,000 participants a study called NutriNet-Santé will be the first in the world to closely study the link between diet and factors like physical activity, obesity, nicotine addiction, family history, economics, culture and environment. Each year the participants, nicknamed 'Nutrinautes', must answer a number of quick and simple on-line questionnaires these are completely secure and confidential. The cost of the study is estimated to be close to six million euros.

This large-scale operation, which has clear social benefits, is financed with public money. It has a number of institutional partners including the Ministry for Health and l'Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA).

By accessing a large cross-section of the national population and through the quality and quantity of the information collected, results of NutriNet-Santé research will provide a huge amount of data on the health and nutrition of the population living in France. It will be one of the largest sources of epidemiological information in the world.

In France identifying risk factors and nutritional defences against the diseases which have become major risks to public health (obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancers) is a necessary step. The study will help promote dietary recommendations, it can help focus on the risks of certain illnesses and improve the health of the current population and future generations.

On the 10th May 2010, twelve months after the launch of the study, 131,342 'Nutrinautes' were already enrolled in the NutriNet-Santé study.

To find out more visit: www.etude-nutrinet-sante.fr

This year's edition of Vinexpo (May 25-27) attracted about 13,000 visitors, 42% higher than it did in 2008. As a biannual international wine event, Vinexpo prompts organizers and exhibitors to plan closely with the intention to engage in a myriad of events and activities to drive booth traffic up, allowing for a closer participation by attendees of the fair and helping exhibitors and visitors network closely and effectively. Around 43% of those who visited this past edition came from Hong Kong, but what was the most impressive was China's attendance: 84% higher than 2008. Within the French pavilion and at the Sopexa booth alone, there were daily animations which included wine knowledge games, educational talks such as: how to enter the wine business in Hong Kong, differentiating between different types of wine glasses, and comparing different cork materials. Guest speakers included Mr. Nelson Kwok, Mr. Peter Kwong, and Mr. Laurent Pousse. The true highlight of this event was the visitation by Ms. Cécile Bassot, General Director of Sopexa, and Mr. Jean Michel Lemetayer, the President of Sopexa, who both were able to witness the impressive expansion of the wine market in Hong Kong.

Trade-only fairs such as Vinexpo are a good way to gauge the number of industry professionals who are serious and interested to have a piece of the pie. This includes: importers, wholesalers, food and beverage managers, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and supermarket buyers. The abolition of customs duties marks only the beginning of many positive trend-setting schemes in Hong Kong, and almost everybody will be affected, down to the consumer, of course.

This year, 800 exhibitors from 30 countries participated in Vinexpo. For more information, visit: www.vinexpo.com