A new deal between Polish fruit ingredient supplier Frubella and JO Sims will see the launch of Frubella's new vacuum-infused garden fruits in the UK.
Infused with apple or grape juice, the dried fruits (strawberries, rhubarb, blackcurrants and blackberries) offer optimum sweetness and taste with no added sugar.
The drying process used reduces the water content to 12-14%, increasing shelf-life to 12 months, said Doug Mackay, general manager for ingredients at JO Sims. This made them ideal for use in cereals, cereal bars, trail mixes and baked goods, where low moisture ingredients were essential, he said. "Fruit processed this way is cost effective and offers improved texture and greater consumer acceptance over freeze-dried fruit. Their elevated natural sugar content improves palatability, while enabling manufacturers to promote a 'no added sugar' claim."