May 30, 2010
New-style preserves
Preserved fruit snacks have been revamped with new flavours to attract young buyers
Adding variety is the way to draw customers jaded with the old flavours of preserved fruit snacks, say retailers such as East Ocean. --ST PHOTOS: LAU FOOK KONG, BENJAMIN NG
Preserved fruit snacks have been popular with Singaporeans of all ages.
But the kiam sng ti (literally salty, sour, sweet in Hokkien) tidbits of yore have been made over with an explosion of new flavours.
On the shelves of the supermarket snack sections, among the usual raisins and nuts are snazzy packets of preserved fruit with exotic flavours such as green tea and mint. And these new-fangled flavours are proving to be a hit with consumers.
Said accountant Linda Wong, 28: 'I've been eating preserved fruit since I was very young and I love the new flavours that are available now, especially the mint ones. They add variety to the usual products.'
For 62-year-old taxi driver Lim Hock An, the new flavours add spice to a traditional snack. He said: 'I'm quite used to the traditional flavours that have been around for a long time but the new flavours in the market are just as good, if not better.'
Food retail company Umeya, which specialises in preserved fruit snacks, has expanded to 14 outlets since it first opened at Liang Court in 1999. The chain offers about 20 different types of flavours of preserved fruit snacks at its outlets, from more common ones such as shredded plum strips to unusual ones such as licorice lemon.
To keep customers coming back, new products are frequently brought in. Said co-founder of Umeya, Mr Peter Tan: 'We try to source for interesting and tasty new flavours and introduce them at our outlets when we find them.'
Some of the new flavours the company has recently introduced include Dried Phillipine Green Mango and Hot Guava.
Its competitor, snacks retail outlet East Ocean, brings in 10 new flavours every three months.
Said co-founder of East Ocean, Mr Alan Loh, 53, who runs the business with his wife: 'Even though preserved fruit is a traditional snack more popular with the older generation, it can be revamped to attract younger customers by packaging it nicely or by bringing in new flavours for added variety.'
His products are mostly imported from Taiwan.
He added: 'While it used to be mainly aunties who patronised my shop, I see more youngsters buying preserved fruit now, including boys. They enjoy very sour and salty flavours, so I try to bring in what I think they would like.'
Some consumers like these snacks because they believe that they aid digestion and relieve nausea.
Said housewife Alison Wee, 39: 'It is good for dispelling bloatedness. And when I was pregnant, I ate them frequently to relieve nausea.'
However, according to nutritionists, there is no scientific evidence that preserved fruit snacks have any medicinal effect.
And while Singaporeans are fond of their preserved fruit, eating too much of it may be bad for health.
Nutritionist Teo Kiok Seng of private nutrition consultancy Nutrition Network Services explained: 'Preserved fruit is usually high in salt, sweeteners and other food additives such as sulphites. And during food processing, much of the fruit's nutrients is destroyed.'
Those with high blood pressure should also steer clear of it, as the high salt content can cause a rise in blood pressure, added Ms Teo.
Instead, preserved fruit lovers may want to consider the healthier Japanese pickled plum, umeboshi.
It is typically prepared using less salt and steeped in seasoned liquid or vinegar.
But this makes no difference to those who enjoy their pickled nibbles.
Student Kelvin Ho, 19, said: 'I care more about whether it tastes good than whether it has health benefits. So many snacks out there are bad for you anyway, one more won't make a difference.'
Bestsellers
LICORICE LEMON
What: Whole dried lemons with a tough powdery texture and intense sourness, mixed with the woody sweetness of licorice.
Where: Umeya stores
Price: $3.60 per 100g
SEEDLESS COOL PLUM
What: Velvety flat folds of preserved plum with a subtle mint flavour.
Where: Umeya stores
Price: $6.80 per 100g
TAMARIND MANGO
What: Thin tough strips of dried mango dotted with candied tamarind.
Where: Umeya stores
Price: $2.40 per 100g
GREEN TEA DRIED SEEDLESS PRUNE
What: Conveniently packaged in nifty resealable packs, these finger-sized pieces of dried prunes combine an intensely sour flavour with the bitter piquancy of green tea.
Where: Cold Storage supermarkets
Price: $2 for a packet of 30g
BAN MEI (Mandarin for half plum)
What: Neatly sliced halves of crisp preserved plum with the seed intact. Sweet and pleasantly tangy.
Where: East Ocean Foodstuff, B1-03B Bugis Junction
Price: $2.80 per 100g
BLUEBERRY PRESERVED PLUM
What: Bite-sized cuts of preserved plum dusted with blueberry powder. Tart and sweet.
Where: Most medicinal shops, such as Goodtrust Marine Product Trading, Block 269 Queen Street, 01-245, tel: 6336-8385
Price: $2 for a packet of 200g, three packets for $5
RYUJIN ORGANIC UMEBOSHI
What: Organic salt-pickled plums from Japan, which are said to be a healthier option. Smooth and velvety texture, laced with a salty and sour aftertaste.
Where: Essential Living at Far East Shopping Centre, 15-08. Also available at Paragon Market Place and ThreeSixty Market Place at Ion Orchard
Price: $19.90 per 150g
Where to buy
Umeya
14 branches island-wide, including outlets at:
Raffles City Shopping Centre B1-47, open: 10am to 10pm daily
Junction 8 Shopping Centre B1-02, open: 10.30 am to 10pm daily
Yue Hwa Chinese Products
Two branches island-wide at:
70 Eu Tong Sen Street, open: 11am to 9pm (Sundays to Fridays), 11am to 10pm (Saturdays)
Jurong Point Shopping Centre, 03-05/06/07, open: 10am to 10pm daily
East Ocean Foodstuff
Bugis Junction B1-03B, open: 10am to 10pm daily
Nutrition consulting helps in reducing weight without harming the body and suggests the safe way for losing the weight.
Posted by: Samar singla | Nov 24, 2010 at 08:25 PM