Fruit concentrate
Concentrates are food products processed to remove water and reduce their volume. The resulting concentrated product is typically thicker and more potent than the original, and it can be made from a range of raw materials including fruits, vegetables and animal products. Concentrates are popular in the food industry because they are easier to transport and store and have a longer shelf life, and because they can serve as a cost-effective alternative to fresh ingredients.
Fruit concentrates are used as a sweetener or flavouring agent in products such as juices, jams and baked goods, with apple, grape and orange concentrates among the most common. Vegetable concentrates are used as flavouring agents or to add nutritional value, and include tomato paste, onion powder and garlic powder. Animal concentrates are made by processing animal parts, such as bones, into a thick liquid or powder, and are often used to add flavour or nutrition to soups, stocks and other savoury dishes.
Commercial production follows a defined sequence. The raw material is harvested at the peak of ripeness and transported to the processing facility; washed to remove dirt or debris and sorted to remove damaged or diseased parts; crushed or ground into a pulp or paste; filtered to remove solids or impurities; concentrated by removing water through evaporation or other methods, which increases the concentration of the desired flavour, sweetness or nutrition; pasteurized to eliminate bacteria or pathogens; and finally packaged in airtight containers such as cans, bottles or drums for distribution and storage.
Fruit and vegetable concentrates are the market's most popular types of concentrates, with apple, grape and orange concentrates being the most commonly used. Animal-based concentrates such as chicken, beef and fish concentrates are also gaining popularity, as they are used in the production of soups, sauces and stews. Major players in the market include Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill, Inc., Ingredion Incorporated, Tate & Lyle PLC, Kerry Group PLC, Döhler GmbH, Agrana Beteiligungs-AG, Frutarom Industries Ltd., SunOpta Inc. and Diana Food (part of Symrise AG).