Guava puree and its applications in the food industry

Guava is a tropical fruit valued for its pleasant taste. Around the world is one of the favourite flavours in drinks, desserts, and confectionery in general. As a result, these food industry segments use guava puree as an ingredient to attract consumers.

Guava Essentials

Known as one of the most exotic tropical fruits, it comes from the guava tree, which is native to Brazil, Mexico, and Peru. However, it grows in many tropical countries. This is the case in Colombia, where it is known as one of the stars among Colombian fruits.

It is small and round, with thin skin and usually pale green. You might think it belongs to the family of green fruits, but its pulp is pink. It also has a soft, even creamy texture. Moreover, its flavour and smell are intense, predominantly sweet with a slight acidity.

Guava properties

Certainly, thanks to its nutritional composition, guava has benefits for the consumer in a balanced diet. It may (Mejor con Salud, 2023):

·        Help with intestinal transit.

·        Support the functioning of the immune system.

·        Improve skin appearance.

·        Prevent iron deficiency anemia.

·        Benefit the regulation of blood pressure.

·        Prevent chronic and degenerative conditions related to oxidative stress.

Use of guava puree in food production

As we mentioned, guava is a popular flavor in the beverage and confectionery segment. It is described as sweet and floral, similar to the combination of strawberry and pear. Guava-flavored products are often perceived as natural, unique and healthy.

Food producers use this puree as an ingredient. It is obtained by processing fresh fruit to get a substance of dense and creamy consistency. The most common forms of this puree are frozen, canned and with aseptic packaging. Leading products containing this puree include:

·        Non-alcoholic beverages.

·        Desserts.

·        Bakery wares.

·        Sweet spreads (jams, etc.).

·        Confectionary.

Why use guava puree to produce food?

In general, fruit puree is a practical and effective component in food processing. On the one hand, it preserves the nutritional value of fresh fruit and acts as a natural sweetener. On the other hand, it contributes to the color, flavor, and texture of the final product. In addition, it not only has advantages for the consumer, but also for the producer, as it is easier to transport and store than fruit.

Undoubtedly, guava puree opens up opportunities for the production of products that captivate the attention of today's consumers. It offers an interesting and unusual taste, as well as relevant facilities for food producers.

Bibliographic references

• Mejor con Salud (2023). La guayaba: sus propiedades y beneficios.
• FONA International. (2021). Trending fruit flavors 2021 & beyond.
• Persistence Market Research. (2023). Fruit puree market.
• T. Hasegawa. (2022). Food and Beverage Flavor Trends Report.
• Transparency Market. (s.f.). Guava puree market.