In case you missed it in the Prepared Foods
September 2008 issue...
Tropical Fruits and Flavor Considerations
An essential element to a food or beverage product's
acceptability is its taste. Attendees of Prepared Foods'
R&D Application Seminars were provided information
on tropical fruits as well as flavoring systems for various
applications-from baked goods to reduced-salt formats
to emerging ethnic cuisines. Here is a brief overview
on sourdough powders and dairy flavors for enhanced
cheese or other applications
Tropical Fruits and New Concepts
Dressings and Marinades
Tropical fruits are appearing everywhere, with mango leading the way. Passion fruit, tamarind and papaya are not far
behind, and the market is ripe for new exotic fruits. Most of these fruits have application in beverages, desserts, bakery
fillings and frostings, ice creams, sherbets, smoothies, marinades, dressings, gravies and sauces, according to two
presentations, "New Concepts in Dressings and Marinades" and "Pomegranate: Something Old, Something New, Something
Borrowed, Something Blue (Red)!" given separately by Tony Cantu, Senior R&D technologist, and Don Giampetro,
vice president of sales, both of iTi Tropicals, Inc.
Mango, often known as the "King of Fruits," has a unique flavor and is bursting with nutrients. It has an intense, sweet
flavor; smooth, creamy texture; and prominent yellow to orange color. There are as many varieties of mango as there
are applications. Mango, a rich source of beta-carotene, grows year-round in India, where the warm climate and
diverse conditions make it possible.
Gac fruit is a seasonal fruit native to Vietnam. The ripe fruit is dark orange and contains 70 times the lycopene found
in tomatoes and 10 times the beta-carotene in carrots.
Coconut cream is made from the fleshy, edible meat of the coconut fruit. Coconut cream is sweet, with its distinct
coconut flavor and buttery mouthfeel. It is a great taste substitute for dairy products in beverages and in desserts,
gravies, soups and sauces.
The Acerola cherry, also known as the Barbados cherry, is native to Brazil. Containing high amounts of vitamin C,
it is a favorite in the Brazilian market, as popular as orange juice in North America. One application is as a vitamin C
booster in beverages.
Passion fruit is a unique tropical fruit from Ecuador that can fill a room with its fresh, citrusy fragrance. It
has a high-impact flavor to match and is a major source of vitamin A. The pineapple is one of the best-known
and most popular tropical fruits around the world. It is high in manganese and vitamin C, with a wide variety
of applications.
The papaya is a nutritious and delicious fruit often referred to as the tree melon. It is pear-shaped, with bright, golden
yellow skin. The flesh also is golden yellow or red, juicy and silky smooth with a sweet, tart flavor. The papaya is an
excellent source of vitamins A and C and potassium.
Another tropical fruit grown in many parts of the world is the tamarind. The fruit is a brown, pod-like legume, which
contains a soft, acidic pulp and many hard, coated seeds. With considerable amounts of potassium, phosphorous and
calcium, its pulp is also a source of tartaric acid and pectin. The juice may contribute health benefits similar to wine, due
to the presence of antioxidants.
While very popular today, the pomegranate is one of the oldest fruits found on earth, dating back to 4,000 B.C. It
grows in semi-arid, mild temperature climates and was first introduced in California in 1769. Its major nutrients include
polyphenols, tannins and anthocyanins, beneficial antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body. It also contains
vitamins A and C and is available in juices, concentrates, purees, extracts and powders, with a variety of applications.
This summary consists of the two presentations, "New Concepts in Dressings and Marinades" and "Pomegranate: Something
Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue (Red)!" given respectively by Tony Cantu, senior R&D
technologist, tony@ititropicals.com, and Don Giampetro, vice president of sales, don@ititropicals.com, iTi Tropicals, Inc.
-Summary by Elizabeth Mannie, Contributing Editor
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