Exploring Exotic Options

Over the past 20 years, various types of tropical fruits have gained significant popularity among consumers, especially mango, passion fruit, banana and guava. Most of these fruits are available fresh in the produce section of supermarkets, or in beverages, such as juices, nectars or smoothies. The ice cream industry has also incorporated well-known tropical fruits as flavors, pieces and/or variegates.

These fruits also contribute healthful components, including antioxidants and vitamins, to foods. As more consumers gravitate toward products with a health and wellness halo, ingredients derived from tropical fruits can help drive sales.

To help manufacturers meet these increasing demands, iTi tropicals, Inc., has developed a range of ingredients based on exotic tropical fruits, such as açaí, acerola (also known as Barbados cherry or West Indies cherry) and mangosteen, to name a few. Available in a variety of ingredient forms, they present numerous opportunities to add intriguing flavor, as well as some health benefits, to an expanding range of foods, including savory applications like salad dressings, marinades, soups, salsas and snacks. All three fruits work well in beverages. Other sweet application possibilities include ice cream and sorbet for açaí; jams and jellies for acerola; and desserts and smoothies for mangosteen.

Açaíoften hailed as a superfruithas a somewhat nutty flavor that combines elements of berry and chocolate. It also contributes a high level of antioxidantsindependent laboratory testing has shown açaí to contain a Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of 9,900 µmol per 100 grams fruitalong with omega-6 fatty acids (approximately 50% linoleic acid).

The bright-red to yellow-orange acerola fruit has thin, glossy skin with juicy, acid to subacid, pulp. Its delicate flavor is simultaneously tart and sweet, with a hint of apple notes. Acerola has high levels of vitamin Cthe companys acerola juice contains a minimum of 800 mg per 100 ml (with an average of 1,100 mg per 100 ml). It also contains vitamin A, some B vitamins and antioxidants.

Mangosteen is sweet and creamy, with a citrusy, somewhat peach-like flavor; its texture is similar to a ripe plum. Mangosteens healthful components include vitamin C, folate and xanthones. Research continues to look into the physiological impact of xanthones, phenolic compounds in the mangosteens pericarp and shell, which may include possible neuroprotective and anticancer potential.

Açaí, acerola and mangosteen are available in a variety of forms, including single-strength and concentrated juices or purées frozen in tins, pails or drums; mangosteen ingredients include a frozen whole mangosteen purée with 20% shell added, which boosts the levels of xanthones. Samples of these fruit ingredients are available upon request.

iTi tropicals, Inc.
30 Gordon Avenue 
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 
Phone: 800/223-5484 
Website: www.ititropicals.com