Del Monte Fresh Produce
Del Monte Fresh Produce Company is one of the world's leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared fruits and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks, and desserts in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Del Monte Fresh Produce Company markets its fresh products worldwide under the Del Monte® brand, a symbol of product quality, freshness and reliability since 1892.
Tropical fruits such as papaya, banana, plantains, mangoes, and pineapple provide powerful nutrition benefits, vibrant colors, and fantastic flavors. Leading the way in nutrition research is the notion that intensely colored yellow and orange fruits (and vegetables) contain antioxidants such as carotenes and flavonoids. Together with vitamin C, folate, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and fiber, these antioxidants promote cardiovascular health and strengthen the cancer fighting processes in the body. Fresh tropical fruits, such as papaya and pineapple also contain digestive enzymes—papain in papaya and bromelain in pineapple—now being investigated for their protective roles in cancer and inflammation.
Pineapple is an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese, an essential player in the body's ability to strengthen antioxidant defenses and energy production. Just one cup of fresh pineapple supplies 128% of the DV (Daily Value) for this very important trace mineral.
Papayas are rich in vitamins A, C, and E as well as bone-enriching calcium and potassium, nutrients that play a protective role against atherosclerosis and colon cancer. These nutrients have also been shown to boost immune function thereby reducing risk of illnesses such as recurrent colds and flu.
The quest for better health with consumer demand for more vibrant flavors such as those found in Asian and Latin cuisines have put tropical fruit on American menus in a way like never before—from mango salsa and papaya salads to colorful tropical slaws. Their availability and consistency can keep these tropical flavors featured year-round.
Unlike many other fruits, tropical fruit can be used at varying stages of ripeness, each stage for a different flavor element. Unripe green mangoes are wonderful in a Vietnamese salad with shrimp, fish sauce, lime, garlic, chilies, and sugar. Green papaya creates the base for a refreshing salad that includes grated carrots, shrimp, lemon grass, basil, and roasted peanuts dressed with a sweet tangy dressing. Thinly sliced grilled sheets of mangos, brushed lightly with oil before grilling, can be used in a sandwich with tandoori style chicken, cilantro, and charred red onions.
Salsa, no longer limited to tomatoes, has stretched far beyond to include tropical versions from the Caribbean with pineapples, mangoes, ginger, onions, lime, tamarind, cumin, vinegar, and red peppers and a Southeast Asian version with cilantro, shiso, mint, and rice wine vinegar. In fact, menu items containing mango, in the top 200 chain restaurants, have more than doubled the past few years, mango salsa being the big part of this boost.
This new wave of flavor options balances the sweetness of fruit with spicy heat and appropriate acidity to pair well with many dishes, such as grilled shrimp served with a tequila and lime tropical fruit salsa. It is these irresistible flavor combinations that feature the indulgent side of fruits and vegetables that will allow chefs to offer consumers more choice as they seek healthy and flavorful menus.
Contact
Del Monte Fresh Produce Company
P.O. Box 149222
Coral Gables, FL 33114-9222
Telephone: (305) 520-8400 or (800) 950-3683
Fax: (305) 567-0320
References
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KJ Joshipura, FB Hu, et al. The effect of fruit and vegetable intake of risk of coronary heart disease. Annals of Internal Medicine. 134:1106 – 1114. 2001
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