Premium Freeze Dried Sour Cherry Powder | Natural Antioxidant & Flavor Enhancer
Product Overview
HERSONCARE Freeze Dried Sour Cherry Powder is a premium, concentrated Plant Extract designed for discerning global manufacturers. Utilizing advanced vacuum freeze-drying technology, this powder preserves over 90% of the potent antioxidants, exceptionally high Vitamin C content (up to 1677mg/100g), and the authentic tart-sweet flavor profile of fresh sour cherries. As a versatile Freeze Dried Fruit Powder and a rich source of Natural Antioxidants, it serves as a powerful nutritional fortifier, vibrant natural colorant, and superior flavor enhancer for the food, beverage, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries.
Technical Specifications
Our specifications are meticulously designed to meet international regulatory and quality control standards, ensuring product safety and performance consistency for your formulations.
Physical & Organoleptic Properties
- Appearance: Fine, homogeneous, free-flowing pink to cherry-red powder.
- Color: Vibrant natural pink-red, indicative of high anthocyanin content.
- Aroma: Characteristic, tangy sour cherry scent.
- Taste: Authentic sour cherry flavor with balanced tartness and subtle sweetness.
- Solubility: Excellent instant solubility in aqueous systems.
- Particle Size: Typically 80-120 mesh; customizable for specific application needs.
Chemical & Microbiological Standards
- Moisture Content: ≤5.0% (ensures microbial stability and shelf life).
- Total Plate Count: ≤10,000 cfu/g (meets stringent international food safety guidelines).
- Yeast & Mold: ≤100 cfu/g.
- Pathogens: Salmonella, E. Coli, Staphylococcus aureus – Negative/25g.
- Heavy Metals: Lead ≤0.1 mg/kg, Arsenic ≤0.1 mg/kg, Cadmium ≤0.05 mg/kg, Mercury ≤0.01 mg/kg.
- Pesticide Residues: Complies with EU, US FDA, and Japan Positive List standards.
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): 1500-1700 mg/100g (typical).
- Total Anthocyanins: ≥1.0% (measured by pH-differential method).
Nutritional Composition (Per 100g Typical)
A potent source of bioactive compounds and essential Vitamins & Minerals:
- Antioxidants: Exceptionally high in anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-rutinoside), flavonoids, and phenolic acids.
- Vitamins: Extremely high Vitamin C, plus Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and B-complex vitamins.
- Minerals: Rich in Potassium, Manganese, Copper, Iron, and Magnesium.
- Melatonin: Contains naturally occurring melatonin, supporting sleep regulation.
- Dietary Fiber: Source of both soluble and insoluble fiber.
- Organic Acids: Contains malic acid and other natural fruit acids contributing to its tart flavor.
Product Features & Advantages
Unmatched Antioxidant & Vitamin C Potency
Our specialized low-temperature freeze-drying process preserves the exceptional levels of heat-sensitive Vitamin C and anthocyanins found in sour cherries, which are significantly higher than in sweet cherries. This delivers one of the most potent natural antioxidant profiles among fruit powders, a key selling point for health-focused products.
Dual Function: Flavor Enhancer & Natural Colorant
Provides a unique, sought-after tart-sweet flavor that enhances fruit blends and reduces the need for added citric acid. Simultaneously, its vibrant anthocyanin-derived pink-red color acts as a clean-label Natural Colorant, eliminating synthetic red dyes like Red #40.
Melatonin Content for Functional Applications
Sour cherries are a rare natural dietary source of melatonin. Our gentle processing helps retain this compound, adding a unique functional dimension for sleep aid, recovery, and relaxation beverage/formula development.
Superior Solubility & Process Stability
The fine powder offers instant dissolution and excellent mixability, preventing sedimentation in clear beverages. Its natural acids and antioxidants can also contribute to the shelf stability of the final product.
Stringent Quality & Supply Chain Integrity
Full traceability from selected orchards. Each batch is tested for key bioactive markers (anthocyanins, Vitamin C) and contaminants, providing the CoA documentation required for global market entry.
How to Use: Integration Steps
- Define Target Application: Determine primary function: flavor/color (1-5%), antioxidant fortification (5-10%), or functional supplement (10-20%).
- Dosage Calculation: Start with a low percentage and adjust based on desired tartness, color intensity, and nutritional label claims.
- Pre-Dispersion: For liquid systems, create a slurry by mixing with a small portion of cool water or syrup before adding to the main batch to ensure even dispersion and prevent clumping.
- pH & Color Consideration: The red anthocyanin color is most vibrant in acidic conditions (pH 3.0-4.5). Color may shift toward purple in neutral pH.
- Incorporate: Add during the mixing phase. For heat-sensitive applications (to preserve Vitamin C/melatonin), incorporate after any pasteurization or high-heat step.
- Storage of Raw Material: Store in original, tightly sealed container in a cool (<20°C), dry (RH <50%), dark place to preserve color and antioxidant activity.
Application Scenarios
Food & Beverage Manufacturing
- Functional Beverages: Antioxidant-rich juices, recovery/sports drinks, sleep-aid tonics, and tart flavored sparkling waters.
- Dairy & Plant-Based: Cherry yogurts, kefir, ice cream, and flavored milk alternatives. The acidity complements dairy fermentation.
- Bakery & Snacks: Fruit fillings for pastries, cereal coatings, nutrition bars, and tart fruit leathers.
- Confectionery: Natural coloring and flavoring for gummies, chocolates, and hard candies. Can be blended with Food Grade Trehalose for flavor protection.
Nutraceutical & Dietary Supplements
- High-Potency Antioxidant Blends: A cornerstone ingredient in premium antioxidant supplements, often combined with other Antioxidants Raw Materials.
- Joint & Recovery Support: Used in formulations targeting exercise-induced inflammation and muscle recovery due to its anthocyanin and antioxidant profile.
- Sleep & Relaxation Aids: Leveraged for its natural melatonin content in sleep-support capsules, powders, and drink mixes.
- Immune Support: An excellent source of Vitamin C for immune-boosting supplement blends.
Cosmetic & Personal Care (Cosmetic Raw Materials)
- Skincare: Incorporated into serums and creams for its antioxidant properties, helping to protect skin from environmental stressors. Can be synergistic with Sodium Hyaluronate in hydrating formulations.
- Natural Colorant: Provides a subtle pink tint to soaps, bath bombs, and lip products.
Benefits for International Buyers
- Powerful Marketing Claims: Supports "High in Antioxidants," "Rich in Vitamin C," "Natural Source of Melatonin," and "No Artificial Colors."
- Ingredient Synergy: Replaces or reduces the need for separate citric acid (tartness), red colorants, and synthetic Vitamin C in fortification.
- Supply Chain Resilience: Powder format eliminates seasonality and perishability issues of fresh cherries, ensuring consistent year-round supply and pricing.
- Cost-in-Use Efficiency: High concentration of actives means lower usage rates are often effective, improving cost-efficiency versus less potent fruit powders.
- Product Differentiation: The unique sour cherry profile allows you to create distinctive products in crowded markets like berry-flavored goods and supplements.
- Simplified Compliance: Comprehensive documentation (CoA, GMO-free, allergen statements) streamlines your QA processes and retail compliance.
Certifications and Compliance
Produced in facilities that meet the highest international standards, facilitating global distribution.
- Quality & Safety Management: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000, HACCP.
- GFSI-Benchmarked Audit: BRCGS (British Retail Consortium) Global Standard for Food Safety.
- Religious & Dietary Compliance: Kosher Certificate, Halal Certificate (available upon request).
- Non-GMO Status: Documentation available to support Non-GMO claims.
- Allergen Statement: Gluten-Free, produced in a facility that may handle tree nuts and milk.
Customization Options
We offer flexible solutions to meet your precise formulation and branding requirements.
- Bioactive Standardization: Customized levels of anthocyanins or Vitamin C concentration.
- Particle Size Optimization: Tailored for instant beverages, bakery inclusions, or tablet compression.
- Exclusive Fruit Blends: Pre-mixed blends with acerola (for Vitamin C), aronia, or blueberry powder.
- Packaging Solutions: From 1kg foil bags to 25kg fiber drums. Private/white labeling services available.
- Technical Documentation: Customized Certificates of Analysis (CoA) and technical dossiers for regulatory submissions.
Production Process
- Sourcing: Selection of premium Montmorency or other tart cherry varieties from qualified orchards.
- Washing & Pitting: Thorough cleaning and mechanical pitting to remove stones.
- Cold Pressing/Processing: Gentle cold processing to extract juice/pulp while minimizing heat exposure.
- Rapid Freezing: Immediate IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) to lock in nutrients and color.
- Freeze-Drying (Lyophilization): Sublimation under vacuum removes water, preserving heat-sensitive Vitamin C, anthocyanins, and melatonin.
- Low-Temperature Milling & Sifting: Milled to fine powder under controlled temperature and sifted for consistency.
- Comprehensive QC: Each batch analyzed for active compounds, microbiology, and physical specs before release.
FAQ
Q1: Why choose sour cherry powder over sweet cherry powder?
A: Sour cherry powder typically contains 2-4 times more anthocyanins and Vitamin C than sweet cherry varieties, offering superior antioxidant potency, a more distinctive tart flavor profile, and naturally occurring melatonin.
Q2: How is the high Vitamin C content preserved during processing?
A: Our vacuum freeze-drying process occurs at low temperatures, preventing the thermal degradation that destroys Vitamin C in spray-drying or drum-drying. We verify retention through HPLC testing on every batch.
Q3: Can this powder be used in products making "sleep support" claims?
A: Yes, as a natural source of melatonin, it can be a valuable ingredient in such formulations. The final product claim would depend on your local regulatory framework and the dosage used. We can provide typical melatonin content data.
Q4: What is the MOQ, pricing, and lead time?
A: Standard MOQ is 100kg. Pricing is competitive and volume-based. Lead time is 15-20 working days for production orders; sample quantities are available with shorter lead times.
Q5: Does it interact with other ingredients like vitamins or Sodium Hyaluronate?
A: It is generally compatible. However, its acidity should be considered in pH-sensitive formulations. We recommend compatibility testing for specific blends, which our technical team can support.
