Crunchies Will Unveil Freeze-Dried Beets at Natural Products Expo West

Crunchies will officially launch its Freeze-Dried Beets at its booth (4078) during this year’s Natural Products Expo West, which will be held March 11-13 in Anaheim, Calif.

“Because ‘pure’ and ‘nothing added’ are the building blocks of our brand, we knew that we wanted to introduce a vegetable that complemented our mission of health and transparency,” says Scott Jacobson, Crunchies president and CEO. “Beets, a well-known superfood, are the perfect, natural addition to our line.”

Crunchies products are vertically integrated “farm to fork,” meaning that the company knows exactly where its fruits and vegetables were harvested. Crunchies’ new beets, for example, are grown and processed in France by farmers the company knows and trusts.

“Our U.K.-based supplier is a veteran when it comes to freeze drying beets. Unlike the European population, which has considered beets a dietary staple for years, Americans are only recently realizing the culinary versatility and nutritional benefits of this superfood,” adds Jacobson.

In addition to their sensory appeal and nutritional density, beets have the ideal composition for freeze-drying, a low-pressure drying process that allows for high retention of nutrients and antioxidant phytochemicals, company officials say. Unlike dehydration, freeze-drying requires no additives for preservation and generally means a longer shelf life, lighter weight and that satisfying crunch.

Crunchies Freeze-Dried Beets will be available in stores nationwide for an suggested retail price of $4.99 for resealable pouches and $1.69 for single-serve packs. Like all Crunchies products, they contain no added sugar and no artificial flavors or coloring and are non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, kosher and halal certified. 

Other Crunchies products in the line include strawberries, mango, pineapple, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, cinnamon apple, strawberry banana and mixed fruit.