Top 5 popular uses of frozen fruit in the food processing industry

Frozen fruit is increasingly essential in food processing because of its convenience, nutrition, availability, and cost optimization. In addition, consumers are seeking more natural, healthier ingredients in their food, transforming the growing trend of using fruit ingredients. In the article below, let's learn more about the top 7 popular uses of frozen fruit in the food processing industry. 

1. Breakfast Cereals 

Breakfast cereal is a processed food manufactured from grain and intended to be eaten as a main course served with milk during the morning meal. Some breakfast cereals require brief cooking, but these hot cereals are less popular than cold, ready-to-eat cereals. Breakfast cereals are a healthy choice for breakfast. To give the consumer freedom of choice, the breakfast cereal and oat milling industry provides more than 200 varieties of breakfast cereals corresponding to different tastes, forms, and textures. Their success can be partially attributed to advertising campaigns, which transformed the image of their products from healthy foods to quick, convenient, and tasty breakfast foods.   

The most important raw material in any breakfast cereal is grain; some natural cereals are sweetened with concentrated fruit juice. Various flavors may be added to breakfast cereals, including chocolate, cinnamon and other spices, and fruit flavors. Other ingredients added to Cerealimprove flavor include nuts, dried fruit, and marshmallows.   

2. Bakery Products 

Whether baked at retail, in a cafe or at the industrial level, bread, muffins and other non-dessert baked foods offer an invitation to enjoy when they include fruits, nuts or seeds. These plant-based ingredients provide color, flavor, texture and nutrition in the form of fiber, protein, healthful fats, vitamins, minerals or antioxidants that appeal to the growing number of health- and-wellness-seeking consumers who want more out of every bite. Additionally, consumers are seeking more natural, healthier ingredients in their baked treats – for example, by replacing sugar with real fruit fillings. Fruits lend rich colors, tempting textures, and delicious flavors to a wide range of fillings and toppings to incorporate the healthy sweetness of fruit and vegetable ingredients into cakes, pastries, and biscuits. 

3. Confectioneries 

Fruits are one of the most common raw materials used to manufacture confectionery, and they have a delicate taste and pleasant aroma and contain important food substances. At the same time, many fruits also have valuable technological properties that make them indispensable in producing certain types of confectionery. Increasing the real fruit content in confections and the new fruit-based confectionery products is on trend. As consumers look for healthy and functional foods, their perception of fruit as natural and wholesome food makes it appealing. Adding fruit can also bring in attributes that enhance the sensory experience of a confection. Fruit-based ingredients can be complementary or bring contrasting characteristics to confections for taste and texture. 

4. Dairy & Frozen Dessert Products 

Dairy food, frozen dessert and fruit are a fabulous fit for many reasons: Fruit ingredients impart natural sweetness, flavor, color, and a dash of nutrients. As a result of these attributes and the fact that fruit ingredients are “natural,” dairy products containing fruit are popular with consumers. In fact, according to Technomic data, the fruit flavor profile is currently a consumer favorite, up from seventh place in 2009 to second place in 2011. Innova Market Insights 2012 reported that the top fruit flavors in new U.S. product introductions are strawberry, orange, apple, raspberry, lemon, cherry and blueberry. Consumers who once sought superfruit-containing foods and beverages for their antioxidants have moved on to products containing herbs and spices. 

5. Snack 

The global fruit snacks market size reached US$ 5.6 Billion in 2021. The publisher expects the market to reach US$ 8.6 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.41% from 2021-2027. Fruit snacks are refreshment products that contain fruit juice or pulp of apples, mango, banana, pineapple, and berries as critical ingredients. The snacks are processed and manufactured using corn syrup, sugar, fruit concentrate, water, gelatin, and various natural and artificial flavors. Typical fruit snacks include smoothies, fruit chunks, dips, popsicles, fruit sandwiches, drinkable jellies, flavored gummies, and jelly strips. They are also fortified with added vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients essential for a balanced diet.  

Significant growth in the food and beverage industry, along with the increasing consumer preference for ready-to-eat (RTE) snacks and convenience food products, represents one of the key factors creating a positive outlook for the market. Furthermore, rising health consciousness among the masses drives the market growth. Fruit snacks aid in minimizing the risks of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), high blood pressure (BP), diabetes, and weight-related disorders. In line with this, the increasing demand for functional food and beverages and nutrient-rich processed food is also contributing to the market's growth. 

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