ICAR-NISA Strawberry Bites: Goodness of strawberries all year round

Technology Details:  

Most commercially available strawberry-based products include canned strawberries, jams, jellies, juices, yogurts, and ice creams. Recently, freeze-dried strawberries are also gaining popularity. However, freeze drying is costly and time-consuming, requiring advanced equipment. In contrast, the present innovation employs a straightforward and convenient convective drying method, combined with pre-treatment, to preserve the fruit’s natural color and texture, without requiring sophisticated machinery or complex processes. The resulting dried strawberry chips have a concentrated fruit flavor and chewy texture, offering a natural, sugar-free, and ready-to-eat snack. Unlike other strawberry products, this dried form is highly versatile and can be enjoyed as a standalone snack or added to recipes like cakes, muffins, cereals, yogurts, and smoothies. Rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, it offers a healthy, flavorful, and practical option for health-conscious consumers and those with busy lifestyles.