Dried Beets – An Innovative Ingredient for Functional Food
Dried Beets
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An Innovative Ingredient for Functional Food
Published 20.12.2024
Dried beets are gaining increasing popularity in the food industry as a key ingredient in functional foods. Their nutritional value, natural taste, and versatile applications make them a favored choice for manufacturers worldwide. What are the main benefits of dried beets, and how does the drying process affect their quality?
Natural Value and Versatility
Beets are not only delicious but also packed with valuable nutrients. Regular consumption can support heart health, improve blood circulation, and boost immunity. They are rich in fiber, betaine, vitamins, and minerals, all of which promote overall well-being. The drying process preserves these concentrated nutrients at a high level, making dried beets an excellent choice for functional food. Furthermore, dried beets possess natural coloring properties, enhancing the appearance of dishes and beverages.
Applications in Functional Food
Dried beets are utilized in a variety of food products, including:
- Functional beverages: Beet powder is ideal for smoothies, juices, and isotonic drinks, providing an intense flavor and natural color.
- Snacks: Vegetable chips, energy bars, and salad mixes enriched with dried beets are a healthy choice for active consumers.
- Instant products: Soups, stews, and purees with added dried beets have extended shelf lives and are easy to prepare.
- Bakery and confectionery: Beet powder imparts a natural color and slight sweetness to bread, rolls, and cakes.
Advanced Drying Technologies
To meet market demands, PAULA Ingredients employs state-of-the-art drying technologies, such as:
- Mirvac: An innovative drying method that retains most of the nutritional value. Dried products boast an intense flavor, natural color, and exceptional crispness, available in various forms from powder to slices.
- Drum drying: A cost-effective method combining high efficiency with the preservation of the product’s intense color, flavor, and aroma. This technique allows the creation of products with minimal or no carrier use.
- Spray drying: Produces fine powders with excellent solubility, perfect for beverages and other powdered applications. Products are also available in granulated forms.
Benefits for Consumers and Producers
Dried beet products offer numerous advantages:
- Extended shelf life: No need for preservatives.
- Convenient form: Easy to transport and store due to reduced volume.
- Versatile applications: Dried beets can be used across multiple food categories.
Dried beets represent an innovative solution that combines natural goodness with high quality, meeting the needs of modern consumers. Thanks to their wide-ranging applications and the use of advanced drying technologies, they are indispensable in the production of healthy, functional, and visually appealing food products. For manufacturers, this means greater flexibility and the ability to create unique offerings in the rapidly growing functional food market.
Article published as a part of the project: “Promotion of the PAULA ingredients brand on foreign markets” (no. FENG.02.25-IP.02-0040/23) implemented under Measure 02.25 Promotion of the brand of innovative SME of European Funds for a Modern Economy Program 2021 – 2027 (FENG).
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