26 Jul 2020 Symrise pursues white grapefruit in South Africa
Symrise, one of the world’s biggest flavour houses, has partnered with South African white grapefruit supplier, Klaus Böcker in the heart of KZN’s citrus region, in pursuit of valuable citrus ingredients.
The German company has installed its patented SymTrap technology into the local production line, enabling the upcycling of side streams of white grapefruit processing that would otherwise go to waste. This approach will enable Symrise to improve its environmental footprint and also to expand its citrus range with further unique taste profiles.
The company also intends to invest in long-term partnerships with South African farmers to improve agricultural practices and good yields, delivering high-quality products while supporting local families.
The SA cooperative unites nine large-scale and 96 small-scale farmers. The factory, Nkwaleni Processors, in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province on the east coast of the country can process up to 50,000 tons of citrus fruit per year and isspecialises in processing grapefruit.
KZN is becoming increasingly important for the stable supply of white grapefruits and their unique taste. Symrise says it recognises this growth potential and wants to engage in the region: first in the targeted development of agricultural know-how; second, in boosting qualified young talent in agricultural, in a journey to support South Africa’s efforts in building economic stability.
White grapefruit provides a valuable raw material to Symrise to produce signature tastes for confectionery and beverages. It attaches particular importance to its suppliers incorporating sustainability factors.
Growing citrus demand
Speaking to FoodIngredientsFirst, Stephan Raeker, Global Competence Director Citrus at Symrise, said citrus fruits are mainly processed for their juice besides other by-products like peel oils and the driver of demand is the beverage industry worldwide.
“This is true for all citrus and for grapefruit in particular. Overall, besides beverages, citrus by-products are used in various foods [savoury and sweet], in household cleaners, perfumes and almost anything that is flavoured or scented worldwide,” he notes.
Consumers are always looking for variations in taste, yet they often prefer slight variations without too much complexity or deviation from known and learned tastes, reveals Raeker.
“This makes the whole citrus sector so interesting, as almost 50 percent of flavoured beverages are citrus flavoured, and the variety in citrus is so vast that variation is easy to achieve,’ he adds.
White grapefruit taste is harsher than the pink or red varieties which tend to be milder, according to Raeker. “This is also the reason why white fresh fruits are not so much in favour with consumers any more; they prefer the milder pink and red ones, also because they look nicer.
“This would seem that white grapefruit has no rationale for surviving – but the processing industry loves it because the white variety is mainly used in the beverage industry. It gives soft drinks – and alcoholic drinks alike – a certain freshness and tartness, and that makes it so important also for the future. Especially young adults like this taste profile which is thus used in adult soft drinks and alcohol alternatives,” he elaborates.
Moreover, grapefruit is mainly mixed with lemon in many beverage applications worldwide. But there are also new combinations with botanicals, especially herbs like thyme and basil that work well, says Raeker.
He also flags seeing an increased demand for fresh fruits – especially oranges – at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this has leveled off since. “For processed fruits there was no change in demand but there were delays in supply, as COVID-19 also affected the supply chains internationally. Meanwhile this has again turned back to normal more or less ,” he asserts.
“Thanks to the factory in South Africa, we gained access to citrus fruit of the highest quality and can guarantee stable supply of the taste to our customers and consumers,” Raeker continues.
“To secure this valuable raw material, we invest locally in technology and work towards including training as well. This shall help create a perspective for current farmers and the next generation. Also, we are extending our sustainable citrus footprint and add white grapefruit to our extensive citrus portfolio,” he explains…..
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