"This means that more unsuitable fruit becomes available and as a result the juice industry becomes more interesting. With every harvest there is between 10 and 15% rejected fresh product, because of a dent or a spot or the wrong size. Of those juice, syrup or jam can be made, but there are already so many tastes in this assortment and in order to really play a role of importance with supermarkets one needs thousands of kilos for a profitable product. Therefore we thought, "why not spirits", said Leo, explaining the origin of the latest product of KG Fruit.
Kiwiberry liqueur and kiwiberry gin
"Together with Kampen Distillers at the old harbour in Bruinisse in Zeeland we ran one test after the other for months. Finally we had various versions tasted by professionals. And that has become kiwiberry liqueur and kiwiberry gin with respectively 15% and 35% alcohol in bottles of 500 and 350 ml. In the meantime there is also a low percentage alcohol liqueur on the market available in supermarkets. It is actually a complicated process as the kiwiberry does not hold a lot of juice. It becomes jelly. With Kampen Distillers we obtained an old but strong cylinder centrifuge last year, which converts every fibre of the kiwiberry." Leo continues.
According to connoisseurs the liqueur has a strong character, is pleasantly spicy and full of taste. The gin on the other hand is 'in your face' as it should be and tingles on the tongue. It is also very nice, that the liqueur is fantastic in mixes with Prosecco. Ideal as a welcome drink at parties and receptions. KG Fruit is not interested in selling spirits, therefore the liqueur and gin can be ordered via Meinderd Kampen", Leo says. "Strictly speaking one does not need many kilos of unsuitable berries, as extract is made of it.
This can be processed into spirits at any time. This means that we do not carry large stocks. Basically, the distiller says: I need so much this month and then that is available in a short while. An extract can be kept for a quite while. Of course not too long, because next year we will have a new crop again."
Juices
"With fruit company Van Appeveen in Herten in Limburg we wanted to establish whether a kiwiberry apple juice could be made, which would be different from others. As the kiwiberry is a sweet fruit we in first instance thought of a less sweet apple, such as the renet apple, but one found the juice too sour, whilst another judged the juice to be fresh. Finally it was decided to combine the kiwiberry with Elstar. Still very different, but a little less sour/fresh. Sales are also via
Jos van Appeven. "But on its own premises in Kapelle in restaurant 'Het fruithapje' a bottle will certainly be for sale as well.
"As far as fresh product is concerned we look for the local market, but most of it will be exported like last year. This also means that there will be more disregarded fruit and therefore the juice industry and the distillers remain interesting segments for us", Leo continues. "As far as fresh product is concerned we look for some of the local market, but most of it will be exported like last year", Leo continues.
New developments are amongst others that KG Fruit expects to be Skal-certified this coming summer, so that the kiwiberries can be grown organically. "We also have replaced regular cooling by ULO. Because of the extremely low oxygen percentage in the cold store we can keep the kiwiberries in first class condition for consumption till the end of the year. This means a lengthening of the season by two months. Furthermore, we are investigating whether ozone treatment still has more influence on the storage and quality of the product. It would be beautiful if the kiwiberries would be available till the end of February. But that is still in the future."
Cosmetics
"As the kiwiberry contains a whole lot of healthy elements we are also busy with cosmetics, nutricosmetics, to be exact. This we do together with CRB Benelux in Maastricht, a high tech laboratory, which tests raw materials and techniques to arrive at new formulas and products for make-up, skin and hair care. CRB is a subsidiary of the Italian Intercos, one of the largest cosmetics companies in the world. They love natural and organic materials and all focus on anti-aging. If the kiwiberry can be used in cosmetics, cream or shampoo we may really get rid of our wrinkles, crowsfeet, grey hair and baldness" Leo concludes with a laugh.
