Goldenberries from Colombia have been popular over in Europe for many years. They were accepted as imports into the US 15 years ago but the fruit had to be treated for 14 days at two degrees Celsius. However, the cold treatment created quality issues and impacted the flow of steady supply for the market. Once the treatment ban was lifted, HLB Specialties was first to begin re-importing into the country.
Quick producing year round program
It’s a year-round program courtesy of the weather conditions in the region where the fruit is grown. Plus, the fruit matures quickly. “The turnaround from seed to production is around four months and that allows for continuous production,” explained Andres Ocampo. The past two months have been particularly rainy in Colombia and he said that has affected the quality. “The grower is taking other measures to compensate for the extreme humidity by treating the fruit at the packing house to make sure they’re dry.” It resembles a small cherry tomato in appearance and the seeds on the inside look similar. Ocampo likens it to a tomatillo with the husk. “People say tastes like pineapple with hints of mango.”
Unique marketing between USA & Europe
There’s a clear difference between how the Americans and Europeans prefer their fruit marketed. Ocampo says Europeans buy them with them with the fruit still in its husk in a plastic wrap covered basket. “In the US the way it’s been more successfully presented is in clamshells with the fruit already peeled. There’s a direct visual of what you’re going to eat: you’ll see the bright yellow, round fruit.” Peeled fruit comes with increased costs – including labor and he says the comparison price-wise is significant. The clamshells contain a larger volume of fruit. One clamshell could fit 7 oz. whereas the baskets can only hold about 3.5 oz.
Small pockets of production in other countries
Surprisingly, even in Latin America, Ocampo says the fruit isn’t very well known – mostly only in the countries that produce it. “By far Colombia is the leader in export,” he said. It’s a fruit that grows high in the mountains, making it less commonly consumed/marketed in the lower regions. There are also some pockets of production in New Zealand and in certain areas in Hawaii – areas he notes that have temperate weather combined with high altitude. “In the US it’s been mostly marketed to the general public and people who are willing to try new things and those who might have a taste for adventurous flavors.”
Popular in foodservice
It has also seen good success in the foodservice industry, popular in cocktails and desserts. “It’s very unique. Also because of the flavor – it lends itself to blending into cocktails and desserts because of that strong flavor.” It’s the higher-end establishments that Ocampo says like using the goldenberry, since they can afford the higher transportation costs. It has to be flown in by air because the shelf-life is shorter for the peeled fruit. Fruit still in the husk lasts a little longer. “It’s an item that’s not exactly very affordable.”
Some retailers carry goldenberries but according to Ocampo, it’s still a long way to go to get into the mainstream market like it is in Europe.
Increasing consumption is one of their goals. "We take pride in the work we’ve done with the rambutan.” HLB Specialties would like to create the same buzz with the goldenberry to make it more mainstream. Ocampo explains flavor wise they’re completely different. “Even if both are striking to the eye the flavor is different so we have to introduce it to more people so we get broader penetration with this fruit into the market.”
For more information:
Andres Ocampo
HLB Specialties LLC
Tel: (954) 475 8808