Rich Nature launches wolfberry Bevesol

Also know as the goji berry, the wolfberry is an antioxidant that has been associated with supporting immune system function, anti-aging and diabetes prevention. The Seattle-based ingredient-manufacturer says its patented technique for making Bevesol keeps most of the original flavor and nutrients from fresh wolfberries for a low-heat, spray-dried powder.

As plant-based extracts and traditional herbal remedies are set to gain even more popularity over the next decade, novel applications for traditional Chinese plants and herbs in functional foods are likely to be received well as formulators look for convenient ways to deliver them to the consumer.

The wolfberry, lyceum barbarum​, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and up until now Rich Nature has carried dried wolfberries, wolfberry juice concentrate and wolfberry pulp powder in its line.

Often marketed as exotic superfruits, wolfberries are rich in beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. Rich Nature's Bevesol concentrate ingredient contains contains 250mg of these carotenoids per 100g and is also high in vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and potassium.

Rich Nature says it uses 11kg of fresh berries to make 1kg of powder. The manufacturer grows the berries in its farm in north-central China. Apart from taste attributes, Rich Nature says Bevesol has orange color for beverages or foods. It is readily water-soluble and meets safety requirements with minimally detectable levels of pesticides, bacteria and metals.

The company claims its proprietary manufacturing differentiates Bevesol from other conventional wolfberry ingredients which are made using juice spray-drying, freeze-drying or solvent processing.