12/5/06 Using Technology to Add Flavor

Using technology to add flavor. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. In addition to being the governing body for all Ag related issues, the USDA continues research and experimentation to develop new markets for farm products. Recently the USDA announced the development of paper thin wraps made from various fruits and vegetables that add flavor and also may protect you from such nasty things as E Coli & salmonella. Each wrap provides about one fourth of a serving for each fruit or vegetable and come in a variety of flavors from carrot, broccoli or tomato to fruit flavors including apple and blueberry. The wraps are already starting to appear in select restaurants including sushi bars. USDA chemists are also working on adding natural anti-microbial ingredients to the wraps. Certain natural oils like oregano, cinnamon and lemon grass have been found to stave off bacterial growth. Tara McHugh is the USDA's lead chemist on the project says that the benefit to adding the natural oils instead of using antibiotics is that there doesn't seem to be any evidence of a resistance to the oils. While the wraps are still undergoing testing, you may very well soon see them become a regular staple in your local grocery or restaurant. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.