Informative — organic freeze dried fruit
Millennials Are Redefining Organic Freeze Dried Fruit Through Their Start-Ups 0
From the moment they reached adulthood and entered the workplace, millennials have pushed for change in many aspects of modern life - from politics to ecology. But the industry they influenced the most (or better yet, revolutionized) is the food industry.
According to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report(1), millennial households focus more on healthy foods (like fruits and vegetables) and less on processed goods (like pasta and chips). They also value convenience more than older generations; so, they consume more ready-to-eat and take-out meals than older generations.
Maybe that's why they've embraced many "unconventional" foods that past generations used to scoff at, such as organic freeze dried fruit (OFDF). However, things have changed. Not only are millennials willing to add organic freeze dried fruit to their cart, but some of them go as far as to build their start-ups around them - often using them in the most innovative ways.
So, if you want to delve deeper into the world of freeze-dried food, these four food products created by millennials will show you that there are many more ways to enjoy OFDF than straight out of the bag.
NurturMe - Mom Turns Dried Fruit into an Organic Baby-Food Empire
After having her first baby, new mom Caroline Freedman(2) was shocked at the poor quality and bad taste of ready-made baby food available on the market. Determined to change that, she and her friend, Lauren McCullough, set out to create a line of healthy and tasty baby foods made entirely from organic dried fruits and veggies.
The two women started experimenting by drying different fruits and veggies and blending them in order to come up with the tastiest combos. Through trial and error, they found the blends that resonated with them the most and launched them, covering kids of all ages, from infants to toddlers. One of the company's most delicious fruit blends is the "Ancient Grains," a tasty and nutritious mix of pineapple, banana, and oatmeal.
Urban Artifact Brewing Company - New-Age Brewery Uses Freeze Dried Fruit to Make "Astronaut Beer"
Last year, Urban Artifact Brewing Company(3), a Cincinnati-based brewery specializing in fruit beer, took a note from cosmonauts' menus and started working on a new beer line. The drink was labeled "Astronaut Food" and featured freeze dried fruit as the main ingredient. The limited-edition beer came with a high alcohol content (15% ABV) and was released in two unique flavors, blackberry-raspberry and blueberry. Due to the high cost of freeze dried fruit, the beer was somewhat pricey. But beer lovers who had the chance to taste the brew said it was well worth the splurge.
Kencko - Company Turns Organic Freeze Dried Fruit into Easy-to-Make Smoothies
Founded by Tomas Fores and Ricardo Vice Santos, Kencko(4) (which is Japanese for "health") was formed in 2016 after Fores was diagnosed with acute gastritis. The smoothie company was created with a simple goal in mind: to help 90% of adults who fail to meet the recommended servings of produce per day round out their daily meals in the easiest way possible.
Understanding that organic freeze dried fruits are as nutritious as fresh fruit (but come with a longer shelf life), the company decided to pulverize and pack them in single-serving pouches. This way, consumers can easily stir them in water or milk and create a nutritious drink on the go.
The smoothies are cataloged by color and purpose like the "Purples," which feature a mix of berries, bananas, and dates and promise to aid digestion and reduce inflammation. So, depending on your health goals and color preferences, you can choose the smoothie that suits you the most.
FRUUP - A Polish Company Creates the First Ever Freeze Dried Fruit Bars
Created by Celiko, a Polish manufacturing company specializing in dry food concentrates, FRUUP is the world's first freeze dried fruit bar. Boasting a natural ingredient list, the treat contains no added sugar and is rich in fiber and antioxidants. The bar tastes like sorbet, especially when frozen or dissolved in water. Thanks to its texture, it also crumbles easily and blends well with yogurt and cereal.
What innovative product would you make with a batch of organic freeze dried fruit? Let us know in the comment section down below!
References:
- https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/86401/eib-186.pdf?v=43097
- https://www.treehugger.com/moms-turn-dried-fruit-into-organic-baby-food-empire-4862430
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/garystoller/2021/02/19/what-will-they-think-of-next-freeze-dried-astronaut-beer/
- https://www.fastcompany.com/90650187/this-freeze-dried-smoothie-company-is-delicious-and-cost-effective
