Supermarket Perimeter - May 2022 - 76

SPOTLIGHT
Studies have linked tart
FRUIT & NUT
INCLUSIONS
by Andy Nelson
MORE THAN EVER,
CONSUMERS ARE CONSCIOUS
of what goes into the foods they
eat, and fruit and nut inclusions
are a great way to add the flavor,
nutritional and other value-adds
they're looking for.
One of the main beneficiaries
of this trend has been tart
cherries, which are increasingly
recognized as a " superfruit, " with
scientific evidence supporting
their health benefits and
additional research currently
underway, said Heather Weber,
interim executive director of
the Dewitt, Mich.-based Cherry
Industry Administrative Board.
When consumers - and in
particular millennials, foodies
and the health-conscious - see
" superfruit, " they're much more
likely to purchase it.
" More and more foods and
beverages 'made with tart
cherries,' including dried tart
cherries, are hitting store shelves
as consumers increasingly value
the flavor and nutrition benefits, "
Weber said. " Heightened interest
in sour has connection to health
and wellness, with 80% of sour's
top growing claims related to a
functional benefit. "
cherries with benefits for
conditions including arthritis and
gout, exercise recovery, sleep,
heart health and gut health.
And with consumers
increasingly seeking sour, less
sweet flavors, tart cherries
provide the ideal sour-sweet
flavor profile for both savory
and sweet product applications,
Weber said. Because tart cherries
contain less natural sugar
than many other fruits, they've
become a favorite ingredient for
keto desserts and snacks.
Even desserts are moving to a
more savory side, she said, and
tart cherries can help strike the
right complexity and balance.
Dried tart cherries make
great additions to baked goods,
dairy products and savory
items because of their unique
sour flavor, a halo of potential
health benefits, an attractive
pop of bright red color and an
added texture to a wide variety
of product applications, Weber
said. They also offer a satisfying
chewy texture when dried,
and they don't bleed in bakery
applications.
Rising demand for plantbased
foods is another reason
inclusions like cherries are
becoming more attractive.
" Snack and product innovators
have the opportunity to
incorporate increasing amounts
and varieties of vegetables and
fruits in baked goods and snacks, "
Weber said.
Other applications include
handheld pies, cookies, bars,
chocolate bites, salsa, jerky and
sausages.
Perfect for the perimeter
The Folsom, Calif.-based North
American Blueberry Council
and U.S. Highbush Blueberry
Council have been tracking
more fruit and nut inclusions in
foods sold at grocery retail - and
particularly in the fresh perimeter
departments, said Alicia Adler, the
groups' vice president of global
business development.
" The perimeter has
a reputation for being
the healthiest part of the
supermarket, " Adler said. " It's
where people go for their
produce, their kefir, their fresh
seafood, artisan breads, healthy
deli salads - the whole 'goodfor-you
grocery list.' That's why
phrases like 'Shop the perimeter'
have become almost mantras
with health-minded consumers. "
Given that, fruit and nut
inclusions make a natural fit all
around the perimeter, she said.
Among the many inclusion
ideas for blueberries include a
blueberry-walnut sprinkle to put
on a salad and a berry-almond
mix-in for yogurt and. In the
instore bakery alone, fruits and
CHERRY INDUSTRY ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD, NORTH AMERICAN BLUEBERRY COUNCIL
Supermarket Perimeter - May 2022

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