Taura Natural Ingredients is set to launch a range of natural concentrated fruit pieces designed for use by artisan chocolatiers, bakers and chefs. The new ‘Gourmet Series’ comprises six varieties of fruit pieces made using Taura’s unique Ultra Rapid Concentration® (URC®) technology. Originally developed in 1991 in response to market requirements for fruit snacks and functional whole fruit ingredients, the URC® process is able to concentrate blends of heat sensitive, viscous fruit or vegetable purees to less than 10% moisture in 60 seconds. The rapid continuous processing provides consistent product quality and ensures the raw ingredients retain their primary flavour, colour and nutritional characteristics.

Gourmet Series fruit pieces are suitable for use in a range of artisanal products, including chocolates, cakes, biscuits, cookies, muffins, breads and brioche, as well as dishes and desserts served in restaurants. With their high fruit content, these ingredients offer a alternative to fresh, candied and dried fruit ingredients. Included in the range are strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, orchard fruit, orange and honey. The ingredients in the Gourmet Series range also offer significant taste advantages over dried fruit ingredients and, in contrast to candied fruit pieces, contain no added preservatives, artificial colours or flavours.

Gourmet Series pieces are designed to perform in a wide range of artisan applications and won’t burn or bleed during baking. In high moisture applications, such as bread and cakes, URC^® fruit pieces absorb moisture to become spots of soft fruit, bursting with flavour. In low moisture applications the low water activity of the fruit pieces ensures they retain their soft texture without spoiling the base product. The pieces are supplied in convenient and user-friendly 2kg bags.