Superb ingredients, super functional foods

Research houses across the board concur: health and wellness, weight management, conscientiousness, affordability, and convenience are the leading trends in the food industry. Within these themes and in general, consumers seek nutrient density, satiation, natural, heart healthy, low glycaemic and energy. A formulator might be inclined to reach for the ingredients list, but consumers really want simplicity — nothing too complicated or highly fabricated. To design foods that will be successful in such an environment is a tall order and requires ingenuity.

Fortunately, nature offers an array of powerhouse foods that can be mined for a number of multitasking ingredients that can offer more than one benefit. The terms 'superfruits' and 'superfoods' were coined to refer to these foods and gained widespread appeal. While there is no legal definition of the terms 'superfood' or 'superfruit,' they have come to denote foods (or fruits) that are simply rich in nutrients.

One of the driving questions for the processed-food industry today is how to transform mainstream foods and other favourites into healthful foods that are affordable, commercially viable, convenient and downright good for you. The opportunity is ripe for naturally potent foods like almonds, cereals, fruits, berries, and vegetables to become destination ingredients. With some culinary knowledge and processing prowess, it is easy to transform these foods rich in multitasking ingredients into the backbone of wickedly good wholesome diets.