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 Industrial & Institutional
Resources
Blueberry Ingredients
Processing Chart
Forms of
Blueberries, Packing and Storage
New Product Showcase
Welcome to the
Food Industry section of our website. Here is where ingredient
users of blueberries can obtain the very latest information on
blueberries, blueberry ingredients and usage ideas. Please
bookmark this section and visit often as we are always adding new
and interesting information.
Market Situation:
In the past
ten years, the blueberry industry has experienced extraordinary
growth with per capita consumption rising each year and a record
numbers of new products entering the market each month! Consumers
have become enlightened to the wonderful health benefits of
blueberries and the past four years have seen the largest crops and
record demand. The good news is that the industry has kept
pace with demand and now processed blueberries (frozen, liquid,
dried etc.) are in plentiful supply. The industry is
committed to providing a steady and stable supply of blueberries now
and for years to come. So, it is a good time to listen to the
demands of your consumers and formulate new blueberry containing
products!
Blueberry Ingredients
- About 50 percent of all blueberries produced go to the "fresh
market" sector. The remaining blueberries go to food
processing. A few decades ago, highbush blueberries went mainly to
the fresh market and pie fillings. Click the (thumbnail) chart
below for a general view of how highbush blueberries are processed
to meet the needs of food processors.
Processing Chart
Forms, Packages
Available and Storage
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 Blueberry
Storage and Processing
Research excerpts on
storage and processing along with blueberry formats to meet manufacturer
needs.
Usage Categories:
Blueberry Containing Products
Beverages Cereals Confectionery Dairy Snacks Sauces Real Seal Products
Blueberry Notes
Blueberries promoted in Canada. Sobey's
a major grocery chain in Eastern Canada features fresh blueberries
prominently on their truck advertising!
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More on Blueberries and
Baked Goods
Blueberry Waffles -- Search for the Best
Writer, Betty N. Buckman, (Louisville,
KY) described her favorite (9/20/03) waffles: "These are real waffles,
toasting up crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside just
as the package promises. They stay warm too, allowing one to peruse the
headlines between bites. Served with breakfast meat and eggs, they offer
company-worthy fare." The brand, Thomas' Waffles, are available in
three varieties including blueberry.
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Blueberry Juices:
Blueberries offer a pleasant flavor, especially when combined
with apple and other fruit flavors. |
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Blueberry Wine:
This popular regional appellation is moderately sweet and can
be served as an aperitif or dinner wine. |
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Blueberry Beer:
With the microbrewing revolution has come a whole generation of
blueberry beers. Blueberries impart a mild fruit flavor
to lagers and ales. Here is a recipe for a blueberry beer:
http://hbd.org/brewery/cm3/recs/08_84.html
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Blueberry Smoothies.
Blueberries were the Original smoothie ingredient in food
service. Just add frozen blueberries to the blender and
push the button! |
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Blueberry Tea:
Dried blueberries and even blueberry leaves have been a traditional
infusion beverage in Europe. |
Beverage Tips:
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Blueberry juice, puree
and other liquid blueberry products are available from suppliers
across the USA and Canada. Make sure to be very specific
in product requirements, as products and terminology vary from
company to company. |
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Some forms of blueberries
are high in pectin and can cloud and gel in beverage products.
An enzymatic treatment may be necessary when blending blueberry
juice. |
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Blueberries have a sugar/acid
ratio which makes it desirable for blending with other high acidic
juices. Blueberry juice contains about 12% sugar, and a
low acid content of about 1.9%. |
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Many blueberry juices
are also marketed as clear beverages! |
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Make sure to integrate
the skins of the blueberry to benefit from all of the anthocyanin
in the pigments! This is good for eyesight and science has
documented this. |
Beverage Resources:
Quality and Stability of Blueberry Juice Blended with Apple,
Grape and Cranberry Juice. Journal of Food Quality 24 (2): (2001)
111-125. 2001 (view)
Blueberry Liqueur Recipe. http://www.liqueurweb.com/blueberry.htm
For a Very Berry Berry™
treat Beyond Juice provides "a Meal in a Cup" with "100% Pure Fruit"
formulas. Each drink "contains more fiber than a bowl
of 100% bran cereal, meets 2/3 of you daily fruit
and vegetable servings, no cholesterol and less than 1 gram of fat."
According to the Beyond Juice brochure "Blueberry - Contains silicon
which helps rejuvenate the pancreas. They are said to be good
for diabetic conditions." http://www.beyondjuice.com/ |
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New Zealand Company Has Zest for Things Blueberry
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Take a look at Mamaku
Blue touted as the first and largest blueberry winery in New
Zealand, and you will find blueberry beverages and more.
The 40 hectare berry farm owned by Harry and Anne Frost has a
line of blueberry products including:
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blueberry dessert sauce, blueberry liqueur, blueberry
wine, blueberry savoury sauce, blueberry chutney, blueberry jelly,
blueberry vinegar, blueberry juice, blueberry licorice, blueberry
+ honey candy, berry blues chocolate, and even blueberry soap!
They also operate The Blueberry Cafe restaurant. Specialties
include hand pressed blueberry juice, hot blueberry pie, blueberry
muffins, and even a vegetarian selection served with blueberry
chutney.
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"Midcalorie" Beverages Provide Blueberry
Opportunities
An article, "Drinks to Balance Taste with Calories,"
in the Atlanta
Journal Constitution (12/12/03) reports that major U.S. soft-drink
companies are looking at "midcalorie" products which offer fewer
calories than regular beverages. Coca Cola
Co. has rolled out a milk-based beverage called "Swerve"
and blueberry is in the product line up. The beverage is
called, "Bloo"! It is touted as a healthy alternative to
soda. In Canada the company's "Fruitopia" brand comes
in "Blueberry Watermelon Wisdom" flavor.
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| Blueberry Beverage Tried by 10
Million Consumers |
News from Thailand (11/20/03) on the popularity
of "Blueberry Splash" a Coca Cola product tried by an incredible
10 million consumers (AC Nielsen). On the heels of this
highly successful introduction is multi-flavored FantaNewTrio.
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Blueberry Functionality
"The Functional Aspects of Blueberries"
was featured in the Sept/Oct. 2003 issue of Worldwide Drink
Marketing and Technology magazine.
From the Far East
Take a look at musings from the far east which describes vending machines on Japanese
train station platforms serving blueberry drinks. According to
the author, "The text for the blueberry drink touts me ni yasashii
("good for the eyes"), and adds that the drink contains anthocyanin
and Vitamin C." Sounds like a choice for the "salary man," students
under pressure to study, and busy on-the-go mothers. For examples
of blueberry products see the USHBC's
new products page.
USHBC Coverage at the 2003 National IFT
Blueberries were mentioned in editorials
published about the 2003 National IFT. USHBC was included in Food
Technology's pre-show planning issue, Beverage World (9/15/03),
Prepared Foods (Sept. 2003), and Nutrition Industry Executive
(Aug/Sept 2003). USHBC featured condiments and beverages.
There was blueberry mustard, blueberry chutney, blueberry barbecue sauce,
and blueberry products from around the world on display. Plus visitors
received a copy of Highbush
Blueberry Recent Research Excerpts.
Blueberry Smooth Moves
Visit Sam Smooth and take a look at this
organic smoothie called Blueberry Chills while listening
to music by the Evocatives. The product is from Planet Organic.
Blueberry Snacks |
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We came across a delicious fruit snack
at the Americas Show in Miami (12/03). Actually
it is a puff pastry hor d'oeuvre filled with luscious
blueberries manufactured by VLR
Food Corporation (Concord, Ontario, Canada) under
the TGF® brand. Bursting with blueberries, the hor
d'oeuvres are crisp and simply delicious hot out
of the oven! President, Victor Fradkin (right),
is shown with the blueberry snack treats.
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Blueberries were probably the first snack
food consumed in North America. Native Americans
used to sun dry and smoke dry blueberries from the wilds,
and store them up for the winter time. Today, Snack
food manufacturers are re-discovering the blueberry and
dried blueberry in particular as a mainstream snack ingredient.
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Snack
Product Showcase |
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Dried blueberries
are perfect for granola and trail mixes. They work well
in rice cakes and ultra-performance foods, where they are becoming
a staple ingredient because of the antioxidant and anthocyanin
content. Don't forget the new American blueberry cookie
with dried blueberries and blueberry filled Newtons and snacks. |
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Make it a healthy snack.
Use blueberries. |
Snack Tips:
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Blueberries blend
with with sweet and salty and savory snacks as well. |
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Look into dried blueberries.
Consider that it takes about 5 or 6 lb. of blueberries to make
one pound of dried -- that's a lot of fruit! |
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Try blueberry juice
concentrate which comes in 65 brix. Blueberry puree is around
45 brix. (For specific requirements contact your blueberry supplier.)
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| Blueberries in Dairy
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Blueberries are used in a variety of
manufactured dairy products from ice cream, to dairy-based drinks,
cheese and yogurt.
Dairy Product Showcase |
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Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt. In
the dairy case, blueberries dress up ice cream, sorbet and frozen
yogurt. Frozen and IQF blueberries are ground directly
into the mixes imparting the rich blueberry flavor and showing
lots of blueberry in the skin. Blueberry puree is wonderful
in ice creams and sorbet. Interesting swirls are possible.
How about a blueberry pie flavored ice cream or a chocolate-blueberry
ice cream sandwich with chunks of blueberries in vanilla ice
cream served between two chocolate cookies.
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Yogurt. Blueberries
impart a mild fruity flavor compatible with yogurts. Blueberries
add excellent flavor and interesting texture to creamy
mixtures. Blueberries are an excellent accompaniment --
either as a topping or mixed into the product. Blueberries
with their natural high-sugar levels, help to remove the sour
taste sometimes associated with yogurt and naturally sweeten
the product. The fresh appeal also is attractive to health
conscious consumers. Drinkable yogurts utilize blueberries
and blueberry puree to impart a natural taste and blue appeal!
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Dairy-Based Drinks and Desserts.
Smoothies are the rage, and blueberries are now used in commercial
drinkable yogurts and kefirs. (Photo at right shows blueberry
flavored milk in Taiwan.) The sweet-tangy flavor of blueberries
and their deep-rich color naturally compliment dairy based drinks
and desserts. While enhancing visual appearance, blueberries
portray an all-natural healthy image. Warning: Do
not settle for artificial flavor. NABC research has shown
that consumers do look for real berries and question the use
of artificial.
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Dairy Tips:
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Use fillings with
high percentages of blueberries to show off the individual fruit
pieces. |
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Capitalize on the
powerful health messages being told by science about blueberries.
Health drinks should contain the anthocyanin and antioxidant properties
of blueberries. |
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Use real blueberries,
nothing added, nothing taken away. Blueberries fit well
into a variety of formulations. In Europe, sorbets are made
with blueberries as a primary ingredients. |
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Think Blue.
Blueberries are one of the few real blue foods on earth.
And this means variety in the dairy case! |
More on Blueberries and Dairy
New Year's Launch of Sinless® Ice Cream
with Blueberries
Cold Stone Creamery
announces the ultimate indulgence -- a fat-free, no sugar added ice cream
that includes blueberries as an ingredient! The ice cream is scheduled
to be available starting January 1, 2004 across the nation according to
the company's (Dec. 19, 2003) press release. Very Berry Good™ is
the name of this creation. The independently owned franchise system (based
in Scottsdale, AZ) currently has 530 stores with plans to establish 1,000
stores by 2004 according to the release. Berry, Berry, Berry Good™
is another product in the company's flavor line. The sweet cream
ice cream contains three different berries including blueberry.
Work Together to Fight Obesity
The Ingredient Technology column of
Dairy
Foods (Oct. 2003, p. 66) entitled, "Lab Talk" by Product Development
Editor, Donna Berry, talks blueberries and discusses the concept of the
dairy industry teaming up with Commodity groups, such as USHBC, to improve
the American diet and help fight obesity.
Scientists Look at Cheese Flavors Including Blueberry
Imagine taking a bite of blue cheese --
not the traditional blue-veined cheese but child friendly blueberry cheese.
According to the National
Dairy Council, "Research scientists have developed a new process to
create cheese in almost any flavor imaginable." The cheese can be
infused with fruit flavors, such as blueberry, and colored to match. "New
b-roll footage where kids had the opportunity to be one of the first to
try blueberry and sour apple-flavored cheese is available."
Blueberries in Sauces
Blueberry condiment
concepts are shown (left to right)-- blueberry lemon dressing,
blueberry mole, blueberry relish, and blueberry marinade (below).
Blueberries add color and carry other flavors nicely. The
blueberry lemon dressing has received rave reviews from salad
lovers. The zingy blueberry relish plays off the soft crunch
of onions and warmth of jalapenos. It is a taste sensation
with roasted meats. For the barbecue, try blueberry marinade.
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Whether sweet, savory
or hot, blueberries can be used successfully! Even ethnic
flavors are enhanced with blueberries, such as blueberry mole.
Try it, you just might discover a new sauce formulation opportunity!
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Take
a look at these product ideas: blueberry mustard, blueberry
chutney, blueberry barbecue sauce, and blueberry tarragon salad
dressing! Highbush blueberries combine beautifully with
sweet, hot, savory and salty ingredients.
Chutneys, barbecue sauces, salsas and dressings provide
interesting opportunities for product development with blueberries. A variety of blueberry formats are
available: fresh, frozen, infused, dried, juice and purée. Use blueberries to add fruit identity,
texture, color and flavor excitement.
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Shown at right are blueberry barbecue sauce and
blueberry chutney. These were tasted at the National IFT
Show. Click on the recipe sheet at left for starter formulations.
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At left are a couple of interesting blueberry toppings
from Asia. |
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Blueberry condiments are also available
from boutique companies, such as
Canter-berry
Farms of Auburn, Washington. The company's products,
which can be found at Pike Market in Seattle, are made from its own farm-grown
fruit. We the best-seller is a sampler pack: blueberry jam, blueberry
syrup, blueberry chutney and blueberry vinegar.
More on Blueberries and Condiments
USHBC Coverage at the 2003 National IFT
Blueberries were mentioned in editorials
published about the 2003 National IFT. USHBC was included in Food
Technology's pre-show planning issue, Beverage World (9/15/03),
Prepared Foods (Sept. 2003), and Nutrition Industry Executive
(Aug/Sept 2003). USHBC featured condiments
and beverages.
There was blueberry mustard, blueberry chutney, blueberry barbecue sauce,
and blueberry products from around the world on display. Plus visitors
received a copy of Highbush
Blueberry Recent Research Excerpts.
Blueberries in Cereals
Blueberries are excellent in a variety
of cereal products, adding sweetness, flavor, color, texture and nutritional
value. Dried blueberries are popular in
both dry and instant hot cereal products. Dried whole blueberries (natural
or sweetened) are featured in granola-type cereals while freeze-dried
blueberries are generally the format of choice in flaked cereals. Contact your blueberry supplier for specifications.
Chopped dried blueberries sprinkled on or incorporated into flakes
or formed into clusters and as a filling in cereal shapes provide
formulation opportunities. A small sampling of blueberry containing
cereal products follow.
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Atkins Nutritionals
has Morning Start Blueberry Breakfast Cereal which contains only
4 carbohydrates/ serving. Blueberry
'n Cream Cereal, 13 oz by Breadshop, is a natural whole grain cereal
sweetened with real fruit juice and freeze-dried blueberries. |
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Described as a “low carb,high protein dieters”
cereal, Blueberry & Cream uses freeze-dried blueberries.
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Barbara’s Nature's Choice Multigrain Blueberry
Cereal Bars utilizes blueberry filling and blueberry
puree. The bars are
low in fat and vegetarian.
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Kellogg's Nutri-Grain
is a kosher cereal bar with blueberry preserve in the middle.
Low fat grain and oats cakes, filled with blueberry.
This product is O-U and D Kosher certified. |
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| Blueberries
in Confectionery |
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When it comes to specialty chocolate, try blueberries
with giandujia. Add color contrast and fruit flavor to krokant.
(Photos: Alicia Olascoaga Estrada, Caratti Chocolate, Mexico
City, signs up for the Blueberry Real Seal. Her chocolate
creations are shown in the photos.)
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Dried blueberries are perfect for panning and coating.
Enrobe blueberries in your favorite milk, white, or dark chocolate.
Cover with yogurt or a bright sugar coating. How about
a patriotic confection red coating with white chocolate and blueberry
in the center.
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To the left is a blueberry truffle with blueberry
pieces in rich butter cream by See's
Candies, Inc. The well known west coast candy company
headquartered in South San Francisco, California, was founded
in 1921 and is famous for its use of quality ingredients.
Today See's Candies, Inc. has shops in 29 states as well as Hong
Kong and Japan.
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Use blueberry concentrate (45° to 65° brix) to
sweeten and color confections. Blueberry puree is a
blend of berries available in concentrated form up to 45°
brix. Create gels and take advantage of the natural fruit
flavors and luscious color provided by real blueberries!
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(Shown in the photo at left are "Pates de Fruits
NATURE from the famous Fauchon store in Paris. Use blueberry
concentrate and puree to create Natural fruit "pates." (The
cost: 53.50 euros/kg or around US$25 per pound!) Natural
fruit pates were found in several confectionery stores in Paris
and were also sold gift boxed.
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From Japan comes a traditional
confection called wagashi. Well known confectionery company,
Minamoto Kitchoan, with
stores in Japan, New York, Singapore, and London, provides a description
of wagashi on its website. Shown to the left is blueberry wagashi. |
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The color is blue. Blueberries can be used
as a natural colorant to tint products.
Use blueberries as a sweetener and flavor carrier.
Blueberries are synergistic in salty and savory flavors and these
days not all confections are necessarily sweet! How about
sour blueberry balls!
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Chop up dried blueberries for textural interest
in confectionery fillings or add whole or chopped blueberries
to chocolate bars. Use blueberries in creamy centers.
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More on Blueberries and Confections
How About This for a Unique Gift -- Russian President
Putin in Chocolate
According to an AP
story from Moscow (11/21/03), chocolate maker Konfael, has created
a portrait of President Vladimir Putin using a 3.3. lb. slab of white
chocolate. Blueberry juice is used to shade his tie while
strawberry juice colors his lips. The chocolate creation sells for
about $700. According to the story only two portraits have been
created. Shelf life is about one year.
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Let Consumers
Know that Your Product Uses Real Blueberries. |
Following is a sampling
of what is being said about the use of fruit in manufactured products.
"Lost in the
Supermarket -- Are Your Food Labels Deceiving You?" ABC's
Good
Morning America website. According to the story, "Companies
are trying to reposition the same old line of processed foods as
nutritious and healthy by portraying wholesome ingredients on the
fronts of packages, but not really putting those ingredients in
any significant quantities in the box," Bruce Silverglade, CSPI's
director of legal affairs, told ABCNEWS.
Show consumers that your product
contains real blueberries. Use the Real Blueberry Seal.
Details are found on the North American Blueberry Council
(NABC) website. (view) |
Suppliers: The North American Blueberry
Council (NABC) has compiled a list of blueberry suppliers on its website.
(visit)
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