Process and Product

The process involves soaking fresh or frozen cranberries in a hypertonic solution by means of a continuous system that allows easy separation of the cranberries from the solution. The berries must be pretreated to allow the solution to soak into them easily and the juice to be drawn out quickly. The process can be used with whole (round) or sliced berries, a different pretreatment being used before soaking in each case. After the berries have been separated from the solution, they are rinsed to remove any solution remaining on the surface of the berries. They are then dried by conventional hot-air drying.

Market

A process has been developed that produces superior quality raisin-like dried fruit. The moisture and sugar content can be adjusted to suit different target markets, and the fruit will keep for several months at room temperature.

This posting does not represent an endorsement or a guarantee by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) of any products, processes or practices of the firm holding the license for this technology.

The intellectual property rights to this technology belong to Her Majesty The Queen In Right of Canada as managed by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian industrial partner Canneberges Atoka Cranberries.

The process has been developed at the laboratory, pilot and industrial scales for a drying line capacity of 1.5 million kg of whole or sliced dried cranberries.

Business Opportunity Available

The Canadian company Canneberges Atoka Cranberries (http://www.atoka.qc.ca/) that holds the operating license for this technology is looking for strategic partners (sublicense and/or distribution) to explore market opportunities in Asia, Europe and the Americas.