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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  

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 Blueberry Notes

 IZZE™ Sparkling Blueberry Beverage Review

Take a look at the review found in BevNet.com on IZZE's latest product, Sparkling Blueberry (sparkling juice and fruit drinks category).  According to the review, "A mild blueberry aroma starts this product off right. From there it gets better -- the light level of carbonation combines almost perfectly with the tart and tangy flavor of the beverage. The blueberry flavor is noticeable and gives the product a very distinct flavor."  The product contains blueberry juice concentrate. 

Panera Bread Supports Blue Ribbon for Kids Campaign

The theme of this year's Blue Ribbon for Kids campaign is "It's all about Family" and Panera Bread is donating a portion of the sale of every blueberry bagel and muffin sold in North Carolina's Wake, Durham and Orange counties to the organization, Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina according to News 14 (4/2/04).  The campaign held during the month of April aims to focus attention on protecting and caring for children.

Jamba Juice®  Introduces Enlightened Smoothies™

Just introduced to the marketplace are reduced calorie, reduced sugar, freshly blended-to-order Enlightened Smoothies™ from Jamba Juice®.  One of the four new flavors, "Berry Fulfilling," contains blueberries.  According to the company's press release, "The four flavorful Enlightened Smoothies debut on March 18, 2004 in more than 380 Jamba Juice stores across the nation – perfect timing given that March is National Nutrition Month, a month-long annual campaign sponsored by the American Dietetic Association, and dedicated to reinforcing the importance of nutrition as a key component of health, along with physical activity."

Sparkling Blueberry Juice

Izze® Beverage Company (Boulder, CO) is extending its product line with a new flavor, sparkling blueberry.  Inspired by European sodas. these carbonated beverages contain a blend of 100 percent fruit juice and sparkling water, and have no added sugars, caffeine, preservatives or artificial flavors. According to a press release posted on BevNET (3/19/04), each single-serve 12 oz. bottle of IZZE Sparkling Fruit Juice "combines a full serving of fruit with the hydration of carbonated, natural spring water."  In the US, the product is sold nationally at Harry & David and in Wild Oats Markets  It is available regionally in Whole Foods, natural foods stores, delis, and restaurants.  A 16 oz. bottle is in the works.  An 8 oz can is available for use in institutional foodservice.  According to another company press release (2/24/04), "Each serving contains 70% fruit juice and 30% sparkling water, with no additional ingredients, no refined sugars or high fructose corn syrups."  The beverage is available to students in the Boulder Valley School District as an alternative to sweetened sodas.  More on the product is found on BevNET.com (story posted 4/27/04).

Low Carb Blueberry Snapple-a-Day™ Meal Replacement Beverage   According to Bevnet.com (3-4-04), Snapple-a-Day™ has come out with a blueberry beverage for the low carbohydrate consumer.  There are three fat-free flavors including:  Berry Banana, Blueberry, and Mango Lime.  The beverage has 24 vitamins and minerals, net 9 g. carbohydrates and 0 g. of fat plus 7 g. dietary fiber, 7 g. protein, 100% vitamin C and 100% vitamin E.  Details are available at http://www.snapple-a-day.com/home.aspx and an article on the product (3/3/04) is Business Wire.

Blueberry Breakfast Sausage

Whole Foods Market (Overland Park KS) carries fresh breakfast sausage made from fresh chicken thigh meat, organic dried blueberries, and maple syrup. The individual sausages, available year round, average approximately 1/3 lb. each.  Chicken blueberry maple sausage is also sold by the pound in bulk.  Dried blueberries add color and fruity flavor while melding nicely with maple and chicken for a simply delicious blueberry breakfast concept!

Blueberry Spotlight

Ultimate Blueberry Muffins

Two muffins contain a half-cup of fruit!

The US Highbush Blueberry Council has come up with a very blueberry muffin concept, called the Ultimate Blueberry Muffin, that contains half a cup of fruit per serving to meet 5-A-Day nutrition requirements.

Blueberries are literally bursting out of these muffins. Use this concept as a starter idea.   With all the good news about blueberries and health, consider highlighting your blueberry products.  Show how they contain bright, bold, beautiful blueberries.  Manufacturers can help to educate consumers about the natural blue color in the muffins.  The message:  "We use real blueberries and not imitations."  Look for the natural color so that you can be assured that the blueberries are real and not made with imitation bits!  After all more is merrier when it comes to the health potential of these little globes of goodness. While you're at it, check out the information on the blueberry real seal.

Join the real blueberry team! Makes us wonder whether all the worry about keeping a white crumb in baked products will eventually go by the wayside when everyone comes to realize that the natural color from the anthocyanins is really a good thing to have.

Manufacturers interested in using the dietary guidance message, “Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases” along with the 5-to-9-A Day logo may contact the National Cancer Institute and the 5-A-Day for Better Health program (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/lab-dg.html

1. Scale flour, baking powder and salt together.  Mix well.

2. Combine milk and flavoring.

3. Blitz raisins to form paste.  Add oil and combine.

4. Incorporate sugar and raisin/oil.  Beat in eggs one at a time.

5. Alternately add flour mixture then milk.  Stir just to moisten.

6. Stir in crushed blueberries.  Flour in whole blueberries.

7. Bake at 190ºC (375ºF) about 20-25 minutes.  

Nutrients Per Serving:  Calories 325 kcal, Protein 5.21 g, Carbohydrates 52.93 g, Total fat 10.85 g, Saturated fat 1.58 g, Cholesterol 45.83 mg, Total dietary fiber 2.98 g, Vitamin A 22.37 RE, Vitamin C 8.41 mg, Vitamin D 8.67, Vitamin E 2.75 mg, Thiamin 0.23 mg, Riboflavin 0.2 mg., Niacin 1.84 mg, Vitamin B6 0.08 mg., Vitamin B12 0.17 mcg, Folate 14.91 mcg, Sodium 261 mg, Calcium 115 mg, Magnesium 16.75 mg, Potassium 218 mg, Iron 1.74 mg, Zinc 0.46 mg.

More on Blueberries and Baked Goods  

Blueberry Waffles -- Search for the Best

Writer, Betty N. Buckman, Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) described her favorite (9/20/03). "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. 

	Blueberries in Beverages
Blueberry Beverage Menu provides blueberry beverages in the marketplace, concepts for consideration, and suggestions. The Oct. 4, 2003 edition of Worldwide Drink Marketing and Technology Magazine contains a feature story on blueberries.
Beverage Product Showcase	Blueberry may be an overlooked beverage flavor in North America, but not for long.  In Asia and Europe, blueberries are one of the most popular flavors for fruit beverages.

	Blueberry Juices: Blueberries offer a pleasant flavor, especially when combined with apple and other fruit flavors.
	Blueberry Wine: This popular regional appellation is moderately sweet and can be served as an aperitif or dinner wine.
	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
	Blueberry Smoothies. Blueberries were the Original smoothie ingredient in food service.  Just add frozen blueberries to the blender and push the button!
	Blueberry Tea: Dried blueberries and even blueberry leaves have been a traditional infusion beverage in Europe.

Beverage Tips:

	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.
	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.
	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%.
	Many blueberry juices are also marketed as clear beverages!
	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/

The website eatprotein.com has a recipe for "Paleolithic Punch" that contains a combination of frozen blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.  According to the site the drink contains about 7-8 grams of carbohydrates per serving with an ORAC measurement of 6000.

New Zealand Company Has Zest for Things Blueberry

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:

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.

"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.

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.  The article, "Local cola war hots up as teenagers targeted," is reported in The Nation (Thailand).

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(erwood) 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

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. 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. Snack Product Showcase

	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.
	Make it a healthy snack.  Use blueberries.

Snack Tips:

	Blueberries blend with with sweet and salty and savory snacks as well.
	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!
	Try blueberry juice concentrate which comes in 65 brix.  Blueberry puree is around 45 brix. (For specific requirements contact your blueberry supplier.)

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.

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!

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.

Dairy Tips:

	Use fillings with high percentages of blueberries to show off the individual fruit pieces.
	Capitalize on the powerful health messages being told by science about blueberries.   Health drinks should contain the anthocyanin and antioxidant properties of blueberries.
	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.
	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.
	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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	Sassy Sauces, Chunky Chutneys and Drizzle Dressings -- 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.
	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.
	At left are a couple of interesting blueberry toppings from Asia.

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.

	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.
	Described as a “low carb,high protein dieters” cereal, Blueberry & Cream uses freeze-dried blueberries.
Barbara’s Nature's Choice Multigrain Blueberry Cereal Bars utilizes blueberry filling and blueberry puree.  The bars are low in fat and vegetarian.
	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
	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.)
	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.

	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.
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!
(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.
	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.
	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!
	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.

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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