-By Kristin V. Montalvo

Exotic fruits such as pomegranate, açai, goji berry and the latest, yumberry -- a subtropical fruit from China, with a cranberry-like taste -- continue to rise in popularity. Hailed as “superfruits,” they contain a myriad of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and amino acids — all of which play an important role in health and disease prevention. As the awareness of superfruits increases, so does the array of available power-fruit products, from cereal and chocolate to juices and teas. Here are a few of our “super” picks to help you celebrate increasing consumer interest in healthy, exotic tastes.

Two Leaves and a Bud Organic Superfruit Teas
Two Leaves and a Bud recently introduced three new “super-fruit” teas: Organic Tropical Goji Green (sencha green tea with goji berries and tropical flavor); Organic Açai White Tea (long-leaf Chinese white tea with strawberry and açai flavor); and Organic Pomegranate Herbal (a pomegranate herbal blend including peppermint, lemongrass and chamomile). All Two Leaves and a Bud Tea Sachets offer only the best full-leaf teas with the handiness of a tea bag. The product retails for $7.99. For more information, visit www.twoleavesandabud.com.

Dagoba Organic Chocolate Super Fruit Bar
This organic chocolate bar from Dagoba offers a delicious combination of fruit and chocolate from “Mother Nature’s recipe book.” A blend of açai, currants and goji berries combines some of the world’s most antioxidant-rich fruits, boosting cacao’s already high antioxidant power. One 2-ounce bar retails for $3. For more information, visit www.dagobachocolate.com.

Terra Nostra Organic Pocket Chocolate Bars
Terra Nostra certified organic chocolate is known for pushing consumers’ palates toward adventurous chocolate eating in order to reflect the growing chocolate connoisseur population, the socially responsible consumer, and the true chocolate lover. And with their new 1.5-oz. (42g) Pocket Bars, you can savor exotic chocolate on the go, while getting in those daily antioxidants. Flavors include a Robust Dark 60% cacao with Chocolate Pomegranate Truffle center and a 73% Intense Dark with Goji Berries & Pink Himalayan Mineral Salt. MSRP for this size bar is $1.99–$2.49. For more information, visit www.terranostrachocolate.com.

Frutzzo Yumberry Juices
Frutzzo’s family of natural and organic juices includes the new antioxidant “super hero” yumberry-based juices: 100% Yumberry, Yumberry Pomegranate, Yumberry Blueberry and Yumberry Cherry. The ruby red, 100% juice has no added sugars or colors. Frutzzo’s free-radical-fighting, natural and organic super juice blends are available in fully recyclable glass bottles. The MSRP for the organic line is $3.69 for a 12-oz. bottle. For more information, visit www.frutzzo.com.

Holly’s Goji Berry Oatmeal
Holly’s All Natural Goji Berry Oatmeal has more protein (9 grams) and soluble fiber (4 grams) than any other oatmeal. Plus each ½-cup serving contains 38 grams or more of whole grains. There’s no salt, no saturated fat, no trans fat and no cholesterol. Holly’s is a hearty and unique blend of seven whole grains and antioxidant-rich goji berries cooked in soy milk. MSRP for a 1-lb. box is $6.99. For more information, visit www.hollysoatmeal.com.

Himalania Wasabi-Covered Goji Berries
BrandStorm Inc. introduced a unique healthy snack at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Diego -- Wasabi-covered Goji berries. The combination of dried goji berries and the hot crunch of the wasabi coating creates a distinctive sweet and spicy treat that is 100 percent natural, with no artificial color. This nutrition-dense “superfood” snack has a suggested retail price starting at $5.99. For more information, visit www.brandstorminc.com.


The Beat

Whole Grains’ Surprising Surge Detailed at Oldways Conference
During the “Just Ask for Whole Grains” Conference held in November 2007 in Kansas City, healthy eating advocates and the nation’s food industry leaders gathered together for a three-day discussion on ways to make whole grains available everywhere Americans eat -- in home kitchens, grocery stores, schools, restaurants and even the military. The event was the third whole grains conference organized by Oldways, the Boston-based food issues think tank, and the Whole Grains Council.

Just last year alone, over 1,500 new whole grain products were launched — almost double the previous year — and whole grain flour milling was up a surprising 26 percent. More than 1,400 products now bear the Whole Grain Stamp, with all of General Mills’ 80+ Big G cereals recently joining the list.

Additional evidence for the momentum of increased whole grain consumption -- serving more whole grains was cited as the top change among school foodservice operations for 2007, with 85.1 percent reporting an increase, according to the School Nutrition Association’s 2007 Trends Report.

Oldways and the Whole Grain Council said they’ve had the greatest success in restaurants, in part because of a “Just Ask for Whole Grains” grassroots campaign launched in March 2007 that encourages people to make it clear they prefer whole grain choices on restaurant menus.

At the conclusion of the conference, Oldways and the Whole Grains Council revealed new programs for 2008 designed to maintain the momentum of increased whole grain consumption. One initiative is an information pamphlet for parents, to help them advocate for whole grains in their children’s schools. Another initiative will extend the Whole Grain Stamp to restaurants and other out-of-home eating places.

Consumers Seeking More Green and Organic Products in 2008
Despite a tougher year ahead, consumers are willing to pay more for green, environmentally friendly products in 2008. That’s according to a recent MamboTrack study by Mambo Sprouts Marketing, a leader in natural and organic product marketing and promotions, which surveyed the buying habits of 1,000 natural product consumers, and forecasted their expected purchases for 2008.

With deterioration in the housing market, soaring energy costs and tight financing ahead, economists are predicting a decline in consumer spending, yet many consumers still see green as a priority. Most natural food consumers indicated they would pay more for environmentally friendly products, with seven of 10 willing to pay up to 20 percent more.
In turn, the study revealed that consumer interest in healthy, organic and sustainable products is on the rise, showing a commitment to organic foods and green products not only for personal health benefits but also for the environment.

Survey results showed consumers aren’t just scrutinizing the products they buy, but want to support businesses and retail stores that have green sustainable practices. More than seven in 10 indicated it was important (41%) or very important (32%) to do business with companies that were environmentally responsible. While price was the overriding factor (60%) in their decision of where to shop, one in two or more consumers also identified the selection of healthy organic products (56%) and availability of organic produce (49%) as key factors as well.

When it comes to grocery spending in particular, natural category consumers indicated they were most likely to choose organic options for produce (60%), dairy products (54%) and child/baby food products (50%). Natural and organic consumers plan to increase their use of environmentally friendly grocery bags, with 63 percent expected to increase their use of these green reusable bags and 62 percent expected to decrease their use of disposable plastic bags in 2008.

Green restaurants, hybrid electric cars, eco-clothing and eco-travel/vacations are among the earth-friendly products and services prospective consumers are targeting for 2008. About seven in 10 natural and organic product consumers already use energy-saving light bulbs (77%), recycled paper (69%), environmentally friendly cleaning supplies (68%), and energy-efficient appliances (64%). Six in 10 respondents indicated significant interest in expanding their earth-friendly practices by dining at “green” or eco-friendly restaurants (64%), buying a hybrid/electric car (61%), eco-friendly travel and vacations (60%) and buying clothing made from earth-friendly materials such as organic cotton, bamboo and hemp (61%).

Faces & Places
Reed’s, Inc. has announced that its full line of six all-natural brewed ginger ales have been certified Kosher by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. The line, which includes Original, Premium, Extra, Spiced Apple, Raspberry and Cherry flavors, underwent a seven-step certification process and will begin carrying the “OU” Kosher symbol immediately. For more information, visit www.reedsgingerbrew.com.

Attune Foods, a California-based natural foods company, has rolled out two new Probiotic Wellness Bars — Dark Chocolate and Mango Peach. These all-natural daily wellness bars feature more than five times the beneficial probiotics found in yogurt in a portable package for today’s on-the-go lifestyles. The Attune Dark Chocolate Probiotic Wellness Bars tap into the growing health benefits of dark chocolate. Each 20-gram bar has a 68% cocoa content with just 80 calories and is an excellent source of calcium while being vegan and gluten-free. Attune Mango Peach Granola Probiotic Wellness Bars are a good source of protein and have two grams of fiber. Each 40-gram bar has 180 calories and is an excellent source of calcium. For more information, visit www.attunefoods.com.

The Organic Center has announced the “Jerry Art Project,” a new fundraising program designed to expand the scope of scientific studies sponsored by the Center on the consumer and environmental benefits of organic food and farming. Five series of high-quality Giclee’ prints featuring the artwork of Jerry Garcia will be offered for sale over the next three years through The Organic Center Web site, www.organic-center.org. Each series will include four to six prints made from original artwork created by Garcia, the late lead guitarist for the Grateful Dead.

Bliss Unlimited, LLC, creator of Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss, has signed a distribution agreement with a major wholesale distributor to the natural and organic foods industry. The deal will significantly expand market presence for Coconut Bliss in thousands of additional stores throughout Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii. Made from a base of naturally rich, cholesterol-free coconut milk and sweetened with low-glycemic agave syrup, Coconut Bliss is USDA-certified organic and 100 percent vegan. For more information, visit www.coconutbliss.com.

King Arthur Flour has made it easier for home bakers to choose organic by adding two new premium-quality organic flours to its lineup. The Organic Baker’s Classic Bread Flour is milled from high-gluten, organically grown hard red spring wheat. Its 12.7 percent protein level — a full point higher than other national brands of bread flour — gives a stronger rise for bread and other yeasted baked goods. Organic High Gluten Flour is the highest-gluten organic flour available on the retail market today, at 14 percent protein. For more information, visit www.kingarthurflour.com.

Editor’s Note: To see a variety of products that will be unveiled at Natural Products Expo West, please visit www.gourmetretailer.com/expowestshowtips.

Comments? kmontalvo@gourmetretailer.com