Could self-drying fruit be the next superfood?

Based in Israel, NRGene Technologies has introduced Supree, its newly established foodtech subsidiary that specialises in innovative fruit and vegetable varieties that are designed to self-dry on the vine while maintaining nutritional value and flavour.

The company’s first product line is a semi-dried tomato variety that is said to have a high nutritional value and one-year frozen shelf life. The tomato’s skin structure is filled with microcracks which can enable natural moisture evaporation. This process can preserve the taste, colour, vitamins and antioxidants of the tomatoes, resulting in a product that loses about 80% of its original weight when ripe.

The semi-dried tomatoes are suitable for snacks, salads, cooked dishes, baked goods and desserts. The thawed product can retain its quality, texture and nutritional value and is available throughout the year, outside of growing season. A tomato powder ingredient can be extracted from these tomatoes, which can be used in various food products, such as meat products, meat substitutes, beverages and snacks.

The company anticipates that its tomatoes will create a new industry within the dried tomatoes and dried fruit market, as well as the frozen fruit and superfood market.

To facilitate the production and processing of the first product, Supree has signed a partnership agreement with Tzabar Tech. Together, the companies plan to establish a joint venture, with Tzabar Tech providing its expertise in farming and trading of agricultural produce to support the growing and post-harvesting processes of the tomatoes.