How to Pick the Right Fruit Concentrate for Your Formulation

As food developers strive to meet growing demand for clean label ingredients, improved nutrition, and bold natural flavours, fruit concentrates have become essential components in modern food formulation. But with so many options available—dates, prunes, figs, raisins, apricots—how do you choose the right one for your product?

At Solufruit, we support R&D teams in selecting the most functional, flavourful, and sustainable fruit-based ingredients. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a fruit concentrate tailored to your innovation goals.

1. Define the Role of the Concentrate in Your Recipe

Before selecting a specific fruit ingredient, define what purpose the fruit concentrate should serve:

• Natural sweetener (e.g. for baked goods or plant-based dairy)
• Binding agent (e.g. for cereal bars or cookies)
• Flavour enhancement (e.g. sauces, fruit preps)
• Colour contribution (e.g. beverages or dessert fillings)
• Nutritional enrichment (e.g. added fibre or antioxidants)
• Shelf-life extension (e.g. in bakery products)

Each fruit concentrate has its own composition, properties, and functional potential depending on the final application.

2. Match the Flavour Profile to Your Final Product

The taste of the chosen fruit concentrate can subtly enhance or completely define your product’s flavour. Here’s a quick guide:

• Date syrup: Smooth, caramel-like, and neutral – ideal for sauces, snack bars, dairy alternatives. A perfect sugar alternative and binder.
• Prune concentrate: Mildly sweet with an earthy finish – excellent in savoury sauces, cereals, baked goods, and functional drinks.
• Raisin concentrate: Sweet and familiar – suitable for pastries, juices, and energy blends.
• Fig concentrate: Rich and aromatic – perfect for Mediterranean-style snacks, sweet spreads, and premium condiments.
• Apricot concentrate: Tangy and vibrant – great for smoothies, desserts, and sauces needing a bright note.

Whenever possible, test within your specific matrix to ensure the best flavour balance.

3. Consider Texture and Technical Performance

The right choice also depends on your desired texture and your processing conditions. Should you use a purée or a concentrate? Consider:

• pH and thermal stability
• Solubility and dispersibility
• Shelf-life contribution
• Compatibility with your production methods

Our technical team at Solufruit can assist in evaluating how each concentrate performs under your specific formulation and processing parameters.

4. Balance Sugar Content and Nutritional Positioning

All Solufruit concentrates are 100% fruit-based, but their natural sugar and fibre content vary slightly by fruit. Depending on your product positioning—low GI, sugar reduction claims, or fibre enrichment—some options may be more suitable than others.

Key nutritional aspects to consider:

• Natural sweetening power (sugar profile)
• Fibre concentration for gut health or satiety claims
• Water activity and shelf stability
• Presence of bioactive compounds or antioxidants

Aligning the right fruit ingredient with your clean-label and nutritional goals can strengthen your value proposition.

5. Explore Beyond a Single Fruit

Innovation often comes from creative combinations. Don’t hesitate to test blends of different fruit concentrates to find a unique taste, mouthfeel, or visual appeal. Each fruit offers distinct benefits in terms of functionality, sustainability, and consumer perception.

Unlock New Possibilities with Solufruit

Choosing the right fruit concentrate is not just about replacing refined sugar—it’s about developing smarter, tastier, and more clean-label products. Whether you’re creating the next plant-based snack, reformulating to reduce sugar, or looking for sustainable sweetening solutions, Solufruit is here to guide you.

We offer a complete range of fruit concentrates and purées—made from dates, prunes, raisins, figs, and apricots—designed for industrial and large-scale applications.

🔍 Not sure which concentrate suits your formulation?
Let’s talk! Our team can help you select the best match for your product.