For the first time, the antioxidative properties of green tea are being used to effectively protect the shelf life of meat and poultry products. Guardian Green Tea Extracts are specifically selected for their outstanding antioxidative properties on heat-treated meat and poultry. While green tea is traditionally positioned as a flavor agent used mostly in beverages, these products demonstrate performance on meat products that is superior to synthetic antioxidants such as BHA.
Danisco USA; New Century, Kan.
913-764-8100; www.danisco.com
VitaCherry for health
Tart red cherries, packed with phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and melatonin, are the foundation for VitaCherry. Their high ORAC value makes them potentially beneficial for healthy heart and circulatory systems. VitaCherry is available as a free-flowing powder.
VDF FutureCeuticals; Momence, Ill.
888-472-3545; www.futureceuticals.com
Infused blueberries
The vendor offers more than apples. Fruit Sensations Blueberries have been superinfused with juice concentrate flavors and, in some cases, with color. The cost is considerably lower and handling is easier than whole fruit. And a blueberry puree has been blended with 49 percent apple puree and dried into a flake powder.
Tree Top Ingredients; Selah, Wash.
800-367-6571; www.treetop.com
Soft-frozen vegetable purees
The next best alternative to fresh vegetables is vegetable purees. The vegetables are picked at peak freshness, pureed, then chilled and packed at frozen temperatures. But the vendor's freezing technology yields GardenFrost Softfrozen purees: fresh flavor, easy to work with and having a shelf life of two years. Plus significantly less salt, than vegetable bases, no flavor-muddling acids or preservatives.
Gilroy Foods/ConAgra; Gilroy, Calif.
800-851-9618; www.gilroyfoods.com
From a fruit company
Recognized as a supplier of fresh and processed fruit final products, the company also offers frozen fruits as an ingredient to other food processors. Choices include bananas, apricots, peaches, strawberries, pineapples and more. Packs and forms include pieces, aseptic concentrates and purees.
Dole Food Co.; Thousand Oaks, Calif.
818-874-4853
Healthy halo nut
Continuing research shows an increasingly positive consumer perception of almonds, a “healthy halo” that contributes to the bottom line of manufacturers selling portable foods containing the popular nut. A versatile, multi-functional ingredient, almonds have shown very favorable consumer appeal in taste, value, indulgence and health. Consumers are looking for healthy convenience foods, and the categories in which almond products are growing the fastest are also those in which they make up a more significant portion of the formulation. These include snack nuts, granola bars, candy and energy bars.
Almond Board of California; Modesto, Calif.
209-549-8262; www.almondsarein.com
Stop cancer with capsaicin
Recent research links concentrated capsaicin with halting the spread of prostate cancer. Four USP-grade capsicum extracts for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications are available. These are highly concentrated and purified natural extracts of Capsicum frutescens L and/or Capsicum annuum L that are standardized for capsaicin (6-29 percent) and total capsaicinoid content (14-67 percent). Functional foods can be formulated with these products to deliver an efficient and concentrated form of capsaicinoids.
Kalsec Inc.; Kalamazoo, Mich.
269-349-9711; www.kalsec.com
Pecans for vascular health
Harvest season brings new research that suggests adding just a handful of pecans to your diet each day may inhibit unwanted oxidation of blood lipids, thus helping reduce the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Earlier results from this research found a pecan-rich diet could be as effective at lowering cholesterol as prescription drugs. Pecans can be munched straight from the bag or added to a variety of foods such as salads, waffles, cereal and even chicken breasts.
National Pecan Shellers Assn.; Atlanta
404-252-3663; www.ilovepecans.org
White tea flavors
New white tea flavors blend exceptionally well with other tea profiles and fruit flavors. The flavors are natural and work well in a variety of applications. Milder than both black and green teas, white tea possesses a wonderfully light yet full-bodied tea character. Its slightly sweet flavor profile lacks the “grassy” undertones sometimes associated with green tea. The products come as natural, water-soluble liquids and are useful for beverages, dairy, nutraceuticals, syrups, yogurt, ice cream, sorbet and more.
Robertet Flavors; Piscataway, N.J.
732-981-8300; www.robertet.com
Oats on the mind
Neuravena (EFLA955) is a wild green oat extract launched at last year's Vitafoods show. New pre-clinical trial data point to a strengthening as well as balancing effect on brain and psyche. This offers attractive positioning possibilities with regard to mental and cognitive functions.
Frutarom Industries Ltd.; North Bergen, N.J.
201-861-9500; www.frutarom.com
Tropical fruit flavors
Tropical from-the-named-fruit (FTNF) flavors from Brazil can restore the delicate flavors and volatiles sometimes lost in pasteurization of beverages. Extracts such as banana, guava, passion fruit, coffee, tangerine, mango cocoa and others are available from an extract producer in the growing areas of Brazil. Samples are available.
AandB Ingredients; Fairfield, N.J.
973-227-1390; www.abingredients.com
Customized hazelnut paste
Hazelnut paste -- hazelnut butter with sugar and other ingredients -- is custom manufactured to meet specifications for customer ingredient needs. A full-time, year-round staff, including an on-site food chemist, ensures that customers' products are manufactured and delivered in the safest, most reliable manner. The manufacturer is AIB and kosher certified.
Hazelnut Growers of Oregon; Cornelius, Ore.
503-648-4176; www.hazelnutgrowers.com
