Kiwi Bites are the result of a simple process of slicing them thinly and low temperature drying over 16 hours to retain all the nutrition of fresh kiwifruit, including enzymes, vitamins and minerals. Owner Sandy Mecredy says retaining the optimum level of moisture in the kiwifruit is the key for a delicious Kiwi Bite.
"Many other snacks have added nasties like added sugar, colour, and preservatives, and are often very chewy which can lead to tooth decay," she said. "I was determined that Kiwi Bites must be 100% pure and that’s exactly what we’ve accomplished: no added sugar, colour or preservatives and as thin as possible to aid chewing and prevent them adhering to teeth."
Photo: Courtesy of Kiwi Bites (www.facebook.com/kiwibites)
Kiwi Bites are sourced from fresh, export-grade Gold kiwifruit which is grown in Kerikeri under contract to Zespri International, and use two varieties of Gold kiwifruit – Hort 16A and G3.
"This means they’ve passed all rigorous residue-free auditing standards and have optimum taste, but are rejected because they are less than perfect in appearance, slightly misshapen or with a proximity mark - which is perfect for Kiwi Bites," Ms Mecredy said. "I believe we’ll have great appeal off-shore as Kiwi Bites are loaded with nutrition, have excellent keeping properties, in that they are light weight, compact, ready-to-eat and simple to transport and store. They are absolutely delicious and are proudly a high-quality product of New Zealand."
Kiwi Bites have been seriously on the market for two years now, and has grown from the kitchen to a workshop and a 12 foot drying chamber. While there are no firm markets abroad just yet, the company has wide and on-going interest. Kiwi Bites have popped up in the USA, the UK, France, The Netherlands, Austria and Bangalore, India and on the Volvo Ocean Race.
"Kiwi Bites grew from two separate motivations, one being that I wanted my teenage daughter and her friends to reach for something healthy, rather than junk foods," she said. "We’re hoping to help change what Kiwi kids crave when they want a snack and offer them a much healthier alternative – how about a Kiwi Bite instead of a packet of chips/crisps?"
Photo: Kiwi Bites drying process (www.instagram.com/kiwi_bites)
The other motivator for Ms Mecredy was to use the tonnes of perfectly delicious, export-ready kiwifruit that were being rejected by the local packhouses. So, Kiwi Bites came to fruition, making great use of rejected kiwifruit by being made into a delicious and healthy snack.
Kiwi Bites are available all year-round, and once packaged they stay fresh and tasty for at least a year. As this season is impacted by sub-tropical conditions, production volumes can’t be estimated as yet, however local, new season fruit is being picked from now until June/July.
Domestically, New Zealand consumers can get their hands on Kiwi Bites through five Farro Fresh stores in Auckland and a variety of outlets throughout New Zealand.
"A focus has been on working towards distributing them through schools – a primary goal is to make them available as a nutritious snack for kids," Ms Mecredy said. "I’m also passionate about limiting our impact on the environment; so all Kiwi Bites packaging is 100% compostable. Both peoples’ interest and love for 100% pure New Zealand product, and consumers wanting to find healthy alternatives to junk foods keeps the interest in Kiwi Bites coming!"
For more informationSandy Mecredy
Kiwi Bites
Phone: +64 27 334 0975
sales@kiwibites.co.nz
www.kiwibites.co.nz