Country’s first ready-to-serve dragon fruit juice, ready-to-eat jackfruit curry unveiled at ICAR-IIHR 

For what is touted as the first time in the country, scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) have developed a ready-to-serve (RTS) dragon fruit/kamalam fruit beverage. 

For what is touted as the first time in the country, scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) have developed a ready-to-serve (RTS) dragon fruit/kamalam fruit beverage. 

It is difficult to prepare an RTS dragon fruit beverage due to the tiny seeds and the nature of its pulp, according to Pushpa Chethan Kumar, senior scientist at IIHR. 

“Therefore, IIHR has developed an RTS dragon fruit beverage using a method where the seeds and the mucilage have been removed but retaining its exotic color and taste. The RTS will provide consumers a soothing lighter taste and a bright pink colored dragon fruit beverage,” she said. 

The beverage will have a shelf life of six months under ambient conditions and contains no synthetic flavour or colour. The scientists are also working on developing dragon fruit pulp powder and different flavoured dragon fruit RTS. 

The scientists have also given a new form to the popular jackfruit by making it into a ready-to-eat curry. This innovation was perhaps the most intriguing product for many visitors at the National Horticulture Fair (NHF) which kickstarted on Tuesday.

Scientists have used Retort Processing Technology for recipe standardisation and storage stabilisation. With no use of preservatives, the curry will have a shelf life of 18 months at room temperature.  

Like any other ready-to-eat product, the packet of curry should be dipped in hot water for five to eight minutes before consumption. “The tender jackfruit curry in ready-to-eat form increases its reach as well as meet the requirements of consumers, besides helping in growth of ready-to-eat segment of processing industry,” IIHR officials said.