As we all know, fruit is a great source of essential
vitamins and minerals. Nutritionists recommend eating
at least two servings of fruit each day. Fresh fruit
spoils quickly and can be messy. Rainforest Dried Fruits
are a great alternative to fresh fruit because they have
a shelf life of at least 18 months and are very tidy
foods. Our dried fruit has the great flavor and high
vitamin content of fresh fruit, because our fruit is
field ripened and never picked green. Our dried fruit
doesn't have sticky juices to dribble down your chin
or peels and cores to discard. In fact, we recycle almost
all the waste from our production as either animal feed
or compost. All Rainforest Dried Fruits are 100% natural;
they contain no preservatives or added sugars. They are
every bit as healthy as fresh fruit. Our dried fruit
is also an economical alternative to fresh fruit which
can be expensive, especially in winter. Our organic banana
is a great example. Fresh organic banana sells for an
average of eighty-nine cents per pound; our dried organic
banana retails for seven dollars per pound. At first
glance the dried fruit seems much more expensive; however
most of the weight of fresh fruit comes from its high
water content. One pound of dried banana for seven dollars
is the equivalent of fifteen pounds of fresh banana which
would cost over thirteen dollars at eighty-nine cents
per pound.
Papaya
Papaya not only tastes great, but can also aid digestion
because it contains the enzyme Papain. It also has fiber
which helps lower blood cholesterol and promotes regularity.
It is a good source of vitamins C, E and Beta Carotene.
A one ounce serving has more than 100% of the recommended
daily intake of vitamin C. Our papaya is the gourmet
Hawaiian Sunrise variety. Christopher Columbus reportedly
called papaya the "fruit of the angels" because
of its wonderful flavor.
Mango
This succulent fruit contains vitamins C and A (Beta
Carotene) and Potassium. Mango has an extremely high
fiber content. Several delightful slices (called "cheeks")
of dried mango can replace chalky fiber supplements and
provide vitamins as well! Mango is globally known as
the "king of fruit" because of its beauty and
flavor. The mango tree is a symbol of love in India.
Pineapple
Pineapple is a good source of vitamin C and the enzyme
Bromelain. It can aid in digestion and help boost the
immune system. For over 200 years pineapples have been
a symbol of hospitality and welcome. In colonial times
pineapple was expensive and hard to obtain. A hostess
who could serve a pineapple at a dinner party showed
that she put great effort into pleasing her guests. The
pineapple became a symbol for the entire experience of
being welcomed into a home for a spectacular dinner.
Banana
Banana contains vitamins A (Beta Carotene), B6 and B12,
iron, phosphorus, potassium, and tryptophan. It is
a natural antacid and is the only raw fruit that does
not irritate stomach acid-related conditions such as
heartburn and ulcers. Banana is FDA approved to help
reduce high blood pressure, which greatly reduces the
risk of stroke. It has fiber which promotes regularity
and lowers blood cholesterol. Compared to an apple,
a banana has five times the vitamin A and iron, four
times the protein, three times the phosphorous and
twice the other vitamins and minerals. Perhaps it's
time to change that well known phrase to, "A banana
a day keeps the doctor away!" Our banana is grown
on Costa Rica's oldest and most respected organic
coffee farm and is certified organic by SKAL, the same
organization that certifies the coffee. We use only
the heirloom variety Gros Michel banana. This is the
banana of choice in Costa Rica . The majority of dried
banana on the market is the Cavendish variety, which
is commonly used as cattle feed. Due to its numerous
health benefits, banana is the number one fruit among
the world's top athletes. Research has shown that just
two bananas (four strips of our dried banana) provide
enough energy for a strenuous 90 minute workout.
