Fresh fruits contain a lot of water, so when mixed with other ingredients or drinks, the water dissolves and dilutes the overall flavor.
However, dried fruits have had their water removed, so the opposite happens.
They absorb the flavors and aromas of what they're mixed with, while slowly releasing their own fruitiness.
That's why yogurt mixed with dried fruit becomes sweeter and richer, wine becomes deep and fruity, and fruit tea becomes more aromatic.
The longer it sits, the deeper the flavor.
Our Philosophy on Produce & Dried Fruit Production
Before I became involved in agriculture, to be honest, I didn't pay much attention to the differences in the taste of fruits and vegetables. My perception that "fruit is sweet, and vegetables taste like vegetables"—a notion I took for granted—changed significantly as I became a blueberry farmer and worked in the fields. I learned that even the same fruit can have a surprisingly different taste depending on the variety, cultivation method, and care taken, and that these differences arise from the growers' passion and cumulative effort. (Left: Master of BLUE BLUEBERRY FARM's owner, Right: BLUE BLUEBERRY FARM's owner in his blueberry field)
Method to Concentrate Flavor
When making dried fruit, I've found that the flavor of the ingredients is concentrated exactly as it is. Sweet fruits become sweeter, tart fruits become more intensely tart, and aromas become richer. Conversely, ingredients that lack distinct characteristics in their fresh state retain that impression even after drying. That's why we repeatedly test different temperatures and times to maximize their inherent qualities. We intentionally avoid adding sugar or additives, as we feel they would alter the natural flavor of the ingredients.
Farmer Network
For BLUE BLUEBERRY FARM's dried fruits and vegetables, I, as the owner and a blueberry farmer, am meticulous about ingredient selection. I source directly from local farmers in Miyagi Prefecture, as well as from distant citrus farmers in Ehime Prefecture, verifying their cultivation methods and quality. (Image left: Yoshikawa Fruit Farm, a pear farmer in Miyagi Prefecture; image right: Murakami Fruit Farm, a cherry, peach, and pear farmer in Yamagata Prefecture)
These fruits, for example, become the ingredients for our Sangria Base, which transforms wine into rich sangria. The flavors of various dried fruits infuse into the wine, allowing you to easily enjoy truly delicious sangria at home.
Click "View Products" below for more details on Sangria Base.
- "Sangria Base for Wine Lovers" has a slightly reduced sweetness, allowing the wine's flavor to shine through.
- "Orchard Drinking Sangria Base" contains more fruit tea, perfect for those who prefer a sweeter, more sangria-like taste.
- "Farmer's Sun-Kissed Sangria Base" uses tomato and plum powder as secret ingredients for a complex and profound flavor.
Upcycling to Reduce Waste
As a farmer, I keenly feel the vast amount of produce that is discarded due to being off-grade or having minor aesthetic imperfections. As part of our "BLUE BLUEBERRY FARM Upcycling Model," we collect fruits from department store supermarkets that are still perfectly edible but marked down, and transform them into additive-free, sugar-free, low-temperature dried fruits. This is both a way to reduce food waste and a challenge to deliver the delicious produce lovingly grown by farmers right to the very end.
Customer Feedback is Our Driving Force
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Customers who sample or try our products often exclaim, "It's so sweet! It's completely different from any dried fruit I've had before," or "It's moister than I expected, and tastes just like the fruit itself." Each time, I feel joy and, at the same time,
a sense of relief that we've successfully delivered the true taste of the produce.
Our sugar-free fruit teas, made with various dried fruits and tea bags, are highly popular as a small luxury or a stylish little gift. They are also available at department stores in Sendai, and we receive many repeat orders. Customers who try them are often surprised, asking, "It's so sweet, but there's no sugar?" Our lineup is gradually expanding with various tea combinations.
Click "View Products" below for more details on Fruit Tea.
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