Tomatoes: Sun Dried, Dehydrated and Spray Dried
Introduction Although dehydrated vegetables have been with us for centuries, recent developments in both markets and technology have changed customer buying habits. This is especially true when one reviews the rapid market growth for sun dried tomatoes. In order to address the many questions we have received, this note is written to review the various processes used to produce dried tomatoes, describe which are typically used in various applications, and outline the range of these products offered by Ecom.
Process The easiest to understand and oldest technology is sun drying. Ripened tomatoes are first washed, halved and then usually put through a water bath containing sulfur dioxide. They are then put into drying trays in the sun for seven to ten days. Thereafter they are cut and packaged. The North American industrial market is currently supplied by a number of origins: Chile, Turkey, Mexico, California, Spain and Italy. The result is a product with typically 12 to 24% moisture, robust in taste, and which darkens after expiry time (9 to 12 months). Cool storage is recommended.
Dehydration is different. Tomatoes are washed, cut and then typically passed through long tunnels which dehydrate by warm air. This process is quite capital intensive and can offer tight controls. Typical origins for this product are Chile, Mexico, Morocco, California and China. Dehydrated tomatoes have under 7% moisture, a less sharp taste, and lighten slightly in colour after 12 to 15 months' storage.
Spray drying is a third process for tomato products. A processor starts with a tomato paste and adds sufficient water to spray it from a fine nozzle. The spray is forced against warm air, and the result is a water soluble powder. Since the product is so hygroscopic, up to 2% of silicon dioxide is used to prevent caking. The usual origins for this item are Spain, Israel, Argentina and Switzerland.
Applications To date sun dried tomatoes are being tried most often in liquid applications such as sauces or dressings. Dehydrated tomatoes, because of their longer life and stability, are found in many dry mixes such as soups and rices. For those applications for which piece identification is not required like a tomato soup mix, manufacturers use spray dried powder.
Over the past few years customers have put a premium on products which they perceive as natural. Sun dried tomatoes have benefited from this perception, and now have an established niche in the dehydrated vegetable market.
Products from Ecom As a wide line supplier of dehydrated vegetables in the North American market, Ecom offers tomatoes in all three forms: sun dried, dehydrated and spray dried. Please do give us a call on 416 298 6051, fax us on 416 298 6085 e mail us and we would be pleased to be of service.