Small scale processing of jam, tomatoes and apple juice (Favordenonde) (Video)

Summary

In this video, Dario Paolo (CREA-IT) shows that small scale “industrially”processed food can have better sensory and nutritional quality compared to homemade products. Several technologies suitable for small-scale processors have been compared to standard homemade processing methods:
• Strawberry jam produced under a vacuum had a higher nutritional value expressed by the ascorbic acid content. These vacuum jams also had more aroma and better flavour according to the amount of volatile compounds.
• For apple juice, the traditional rack frame press and the“older”water press systems were compared. The higher antioxidant capacity of apple juice from the water press indicates a longer shelf live.
• The third example deals with drying tomatoes and strawberries. Traditional drying in an oven powered by electricity was compared to a novel solar powered drying apparatus. Solar dried products had a brighter color, and a better taste as expressed by the content of umami molecules (glutamic acid).
These results are relevant for primary organic producers and small/medium sized organic, local processing companies.