Fruit puree for baking: uses and benefits

Increasingly, today's consumers are looking for food products that positively impact their well-being. In the case of the bakery industry, sugar-, gluten- and fat-free foods are gaining popularity (Allied Market Research, 2023). In this context, the use of fruit puree for baking is positioned as a leading practice.

The ABC of baking

The portfolio of this sector stands out for its size and variety. Today there are numerous types of pastries: from different pie types, biscuits and cupcakes to doughnuts and pies. Pastries also include tremendously popular products such as bread and cookies (Allied Market Research, 2023).

Several factors are estimated to influence the growth in consumption of these products (Persistence Market Research, 2022):

·        Need for convenient food.

·        Rising urbanization.

·        Higher disposable income among consumers.

In this context, there is a need to produce varied and appealing products. Many consumers are becoming increasingly health conscious and choose products without some ingredients or with lower content. This is the case for sweeteners and additives, for example (Persistence Market Research, 2022). Thus, manufacturers are looking for useful inputs to create options that respond to these expectations.

Use of fruit puree for bakin

Fruit puree is a leading ingredient for producing foods for health-conscious consumers. It also offers several benefits (Persistence Market Research, 2023):

·        Improves the texture, color, and flavor of products.

·        It acts as a sweetener of natural origin, which avoids or reduces the use of added sugars.

·        It is convenient in terms of logistics. Can be transported, stored, and preserved more easily than fresh or whole fruit.

These advantages mean that it is used in the manufacture of dairy products, desserts and baby food. Also in the confectionery industry and in items used to make other foods, such as fruit sauces or cake filling. This is how we see the implementation of fruit puree for baking.

Fruit puree for pastry fillings

Market analyses indicate that consumers favor fruit fillings over other types of fillings. In this scenario, fruit purees can be positioned as a versatile input. Not only do they respond to this preference, but they also make it possible to produce products that are perceived as healthier. In fact, there is a trend to use low-calorie fillings, for which fruit puree for confectionery would be an ideal ingredient (Transparency Market Research, s.f.).

Some popular fruit flavors in this sector include blueberry, orange, and strawberry. Likewise, there is a growing interest in exploring exotic flavors among consumers such as guava (FONA International, 2021).

Thus, the application of fruit puree for baking is a useful and convenient practice to produce foods aligned with current consumption behaviors.

Bibliographic references

• Allied Market Research. (2023). Bakery Products Market by Product Type (Biscuits, Bread Rolls, Cakes Pastries, Rusks, Cookies, Tortillas, Pretzel, Bagels, Pizza Crusts, Others), by Form (Fresh, Frozen, Others), by Specialty (Fortified, Gluten-free, Organic, Low-calorie, Sugar Free) and by Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Artisanal Bakeries, Convenience Stores, Online, Independent Retailers, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032.

• FONA International. (2021). Trending fruit flavors 2021 & beyond.

• Persistence Market Research. (2022). Bakery ingredients market.

• Persistence Market Research. (2023). Fruit puree market.

• Transparency Market Research. (s.f.). Bakery fillings market.