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Citrus Fiber News Updates

Organic Citrus Fiber: Nature’s Upcycled Food

The organic food market exploded over the past few decades. What started with a heightened demand for organic fruits and vegetables expanded into other categories such as canned foods, bakery flours, sauces and spices. According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the U.S. organic food sales in 2020 grew 12.8% to a new high of $56.4 billion. And about 6 percent of the food sold in the United States was certified organic. However, the U.S. is not alone with demanding more organic foods on the market. This trend streams across the globe in other regions like Europe and Asia Pacific….

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Improved texture and stability in dips and spreads

Dips and Spreads the Good Word – Citrus Fiber

Hosting a party is not complete without a smorgasbord of dips and spreads to go with your chips and crackers. Dips range from dairy-based like sour cream to bean-based like hummus. Over the past few years, this category experienced a surge of innovation. For instance, the clean label movement spurred many foods to contain more natural ingredients with shorter listings. The plant-based trend drove new innovation in dairy-free or dairy alternative options. And to minimize consumer fatigue, new flavors and seasoning options emerged including bold ethnic flavor profiles. Challenges in Dips and Spreads Formulations Despite the popularity of dips and…

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Fiberstar, Inc. Launches New Organic Citrus Fiber

(River Falls, WI) Fiberstar, Inc., the leader of innovative citrus fibers launched a line of new organic citrus fibers – Citri-Fi® 400 series. These new citrus fibers are in response to the increasing demand for natural, sustainable and organic food ingredients. For instance, market drivers fueling the uptick in demand include a growth in consumer health and wellness initiatives and limited availability of hydrocolloids due to supply chain challenges. And other drivers include increased visibility of sustainable business practices. “We are thrilled to add these new organic citrus fibers to our portfolio,” says President and CEO of Fiberstar, Inc. John…

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Upcycled citrus fiber in nutrition bars & powdered drinks

Upcycled Citrus Fiber Debuts at SupplySide West

SupplySide West lassos together food ingredient companies serving the food, beverage and dietary supplement markets. Among these customers, many participate in the fast growing natural, organic and functional food segments. Though historically, this show catered to those within dietary supplements. Today, this show attracts attendees globally who seek innovative solutions such as upcycled citrus fiber for functional food and beverages. Fiberstar, Inc. will exhibit at this upcoming show at booth #2259. The team will showcase its flagship Citri-Fi citrus fiber which is produced from byproduct of the citrus juicing process. Besides the fact that this upcycled ingredient supports a sustainable…

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Serving up Plant-based Sausage – Citrus Fiber

Sausages are a favorite staple in many regions of the world. In the U.S., they pop up in a variety settings including backyard BBQs, festivals, sport stadiums, and state fairs. They are the perfect carriers when it comes to seasonings, flavors and even vegetable or fruit inclusions. As a result, they fit in any meal -morning, noon or night. Because of the popularity, many manufacturers tend to create their own plant-based sausage versions to offer the market more options. However, producing a plant-based sausage comes with challenges. Animal-based sausages tend to be firm, meaty and slightly chewy due to the…

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Formulating Plant-based Foods

Formulating Plant-based Foods 3 Ways: Citrus Fiber

Free-from, fake, faux, replacements, substitutions and alternatives are just a few descriptors thrown around when referring to non-meat and non-dairy food products. The hot plant-based food trend continues to spur this lexicon exercise. Today, consumers choose a plant-based diet on their set of values and beliefs which vary from person to person. For instance, some are concerned with the environmental impact, the carbon foot print and sustainability when purchasing foods. Others believe that the plant-based diet will curb them from onset diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and hypertension. And some do not believe in slaughtering animals when there are…

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gluten-free ingredients like Citri-Fi citrus fiber in gluten-free bakery

Gluten-free Ingredients: Next Generation Challenges & Solutions

Back in 2005 during my R&D days, gluten-free bakery became the next new hot wave for food formulators. Working in R&D meant you joined sensory panel evaluations or bakery cuttings. And at that time, my bakery team produced never ending rounds of gluten-free breads using a cocktail of starches, gums and gluten-free flours. The polarizing results teetered between a mouth full of sawdust to teeth encased with gummy dough. As a result, formulating with gluten-free ingredients reverted my bakery team to ground zero. At that time, the goal was to create a gluten-free food that was edible and tasted good….

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Clean Label Bakery Fillings using Citri-Fi Citrus Fiber

Bakery Fillings: Converting to Clean Label

What is more decadent than biting into a warm donut with filling oozing over your lips? This fond memory stems back from childhood days and forward into adulthood. Bakery fillings come in a variety of flavors and textures including cream, chocolate, fruit and nut-based. This gives bakers a palette of options which make the combinations endless. However, bakers also use stabilizers to improve the filling’s stability and texture. For instance, fruit fillings typically contain added pectin to thicken and gel. Also, bakers incorporate modified starches which provide viscosity, heat tolerance and freeze/thaw stability. For years, bakers leaned on these hydrocolloids…

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Plant based Pizza using Citri-Fi Citrus Fiber

Plant Based Pizza: Piece by Piece

Someone told me once that pizza is the ultimate food. It contains all 5 food groups: fruits/vegetables, starch, dairy, protein and fat. In product development classes, pizza was the go-to meal when creating portable snacks, feeding a family of five and nourishing those in need. Although pizza is a quick and easy morsel for the consumer, the complexity spins most food developers heads when it comes to plant-based pizzas. Pizza is comprised of multiple components including the crust, sauce, cheese and protein toppings. When combined together, water and oil, when not bound, tend to migrate in different directions. Throw in…

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pulp replacement beverage ingredients

Drink up! Pulp Replacement Beverage Ingredients

Fruit pulp, a natural texturizer, gives juice beverages the body and mouthfeel that consumers expect. This fruit fraction creates multiple textures. For instance, juicers extract liquid and pulp together to create an orange bliss. And whole fruit including pulp is whipped using a high sheer blender to make a frothy smoothie. In food processing, fruit pulp is often added back into fruit juices. However, when the markets fluctuate, fruit or vegetables may swing in price. As a result, processors look for pulp replacement beverage ingredients which are more cost effective than using fruit pulp itself. Many beverage types use pulp…

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