New packaging preserves natural bloom in blueberries
StePac, based in Israel, has developed a packaging technology based on polyamide for blueberries, which it says guarantees a lasting freshness in bulk shipments to distant destinations.
He said that this solves the common challenge faced by producers and exporters in countries like Chile and Peru that make long distance shipments to distant markets such as China.
StePac said Chinese importers placed great importance on the appearance of the bloom, the natural white powdery wax on the surface of the fruit that innately protects the fruit and reduces evaporation. Second in importance to them is flavor and third is the firmness of the fruit, he said.
The packaging is designed not only to regulate the composition of the gas in the free space, but also the relative humidity, which reduces the risk of accumulation of condensation.
According to Gary Ward, Ph.D., StePac's Technical Development Director, blueberries are often packaged in polyethylene modified atmosphere packaging that minimizes weight loss due to its very low water vapor transmission rate ( WVTR).
“This is important, but the advantage of reduced weight loss is outweighed by the disadvantage that condensation will inevitably form and get trapped in the packaging,” he said.
"This free moisture is an enemy of natural bloom and is very likely to wash off the surface of blueberries, which makes it less attractive to the eye and, in fact, increases the risk of deterioration.
“The preservation of the natural bloom is a much more important parameter than the slightly less weight loss. It is the foreign indicator of freshness and translates into higher prices for blueberries in the Chinese market."
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