Taura Natural Ingredients is set to launch a range of natural concentrated fruit pieces designed specifically for use by artisan chocolatiers, bakers and chefs.The new ‘Gourmet Series’ comprises six varieties of fruit pieces made using Taura’s Ultra Rapid Concentration (URC) technology and designed to be easily used ‘off-the-peg’ by smaller-scale craft bakeries, chocolate producers and innovative chefs.
Gourmet Series fruit pieces are said to be suitable for use in a comprehensive range of artisanal products, including chocolates, cakes, biscuits, cookies, muffins, breads and brioche, as well as dishes and desserts served in restaurants. With their high fruit content, these ingredients offer an alternative to fresh, candied and dried fruit ingredients.
Included in the range are strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, orchard fruit, orange and honey. All six varieties are offered in a format and pack-size that has been specially created for artisan producers.
With a long shelf life at room temperature, Taura says that Gourmet Series ingredients can help craft bakers, chocolatiers and chefs eliminate the high levels of waste often associated with fresh fruit, thereby controlling costs.
The ingredients in the Gourmet Series range are also said to offer significant taste advantages over dried fruit ingredients and, in contrast to candied fruit pieces, contain no added preservatives, artificial colours or flavours.
Gourmet Series pieces are designed to perform in a wide range of artisan applications and, according to the company, won’t burn or bleed during baking. In high moisture applications, such as bread and cakes, URC fruit pieces absorb moisture to become spots of soft fruit. In low moisture applications, Taura says that the low water activity of the fruit pieces ensures they retain their soft texture without spoiling the base product. The pieces are supplied in 2kg bags.
“The bespoke solutions we create for most of our larger customers are not appropriate for artisan chocolate and bakery producers, so we have created Gourmet Series as an off-the-peg offer to meet their specific needs,” said Marc Cautaerts, general manager EMEA at Taura. “It means all the benefits of our unique and high quality URC fruit ingredients – as well as our technical know-how – are now available for the first time in the craft chocolate and bakery market.”
“Like all of our URC fruit ingredients, our new Gourmet Series pieces are made from real concentrated fruit and offer all the flavour, texture and goodness of fresh fruit,” he continued. “However, compared with fresh fruit they are much more convenient to use and also offer significant taste and texture benefits over dried and candied fruit. Their long shelf life means craft bakers, confectioners and chefs can now always have real fruit ingredients on hand when they need them.”
