The Core Ingredients: Just Fruit
At the heart of every BEAR Fruit Roll is a simple recipe centered around real, whole fruit. The company proudly states its snacks are made from fruit and absolutely nothing else, eschewing concentrates and other fillers. While the exact fruit blend varies by flavor, a few foundational ingredients are common across most variations.
Common Fruit Bases
- Apples: Often the primary base, apples provide a neutral, naturally sweet bulk.
- Pears: Another frequent core ingredient, pears add to the sweetness and smooth texture.
Flavor-Specific Ingredients
Beyond the base, other fruits and vegetable extracts are added to create the distinct flavors.
- Strawberry Rolls: These include apple, pear, strawberry, and black carrot extract for color.
- Raspberry Rolls: Made with apple, pear, raspberry, and black carrot extract.
- Mango Rolls: The mango flavor contains apple, pear, and mango.
The Low-Temperature Baking Process
Unlike many conventional fruit snacks that use high-temperature cooking, BEAR's method is designed to preserve the fruit's natural goodness. The process is gentle and deliberate, contributing to the final product's quality and nutritional profile.
The Manufacturing Steps
- Selection: Fruits and vegetables are picked fresh in season, including some 'wonky' produce to minimize food waste.
- Baking: The blended fruit puree is slowly baked in traditional ovens at low temperatures, specifically below 108° F (around 42° C). This minimal heat preserves the natural fiber and vitamins that would otherwise be destroyed by high heat processing.
- Cutting: After drying, the fruit 'leather' is cut into the familiar shapes.
- Rolling: The strips are then hand-rolled into the individual BEAR YoYo packs.
Comparison: BEAR Fruit Rolls vs. Conventional Fruit Snacks
To understand the uniqueness of BEAR Fruit Rolls, a comparison with typical store-bought fruit snacks is helpful. The difference lies primarily in the source of sugar and the manufacturing process.
| Feature | BEAR Fruit Rolls | Conventional Fruit Snacks |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Ingredient | 100% whole fruit (e.g., apples, pears) | Concentrated fruit juices, high-fructose corn syrup, sugar |
| Added Sugar | None. Sweetness comes from naturally occurring fruit sugars | Significant amounts of added sugar for sweetness |
| Additives | Natural color from vegetable extracts (e.g., black carrot) | Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives |
| Processing | Gently baked at low temperatures to preserve nutrients | High-heat cooking, stripping away natural fiber and vitamins |
| Fiber Content | High in naturally occurring fiber | Often low or negligible fiber content |
Nutritional Profile and Dietary Claims
The minimal ingredient list and gentle processing lead to a simple nutritional profile and several key dietary claims.
Key Nutritional Facts (per pack)
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 0g
- Total Sugars: 8g (all from fruit)
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
Dietary Suitability
- Vegan: BEAR Fruit Rolls are certified vegan, as they contain only fruit and vegetable extracts.
- Gluten-Free: As they are made exclusively from fruit, the snacks are naturally gluten-free.
- Nut-Free: All products are free of nuts, making them a safe choice for many with allergies.
- Non-GMO: The company uses non-GMO Project Verified ingredients.
Conclusion
In summary, the ingredients in BEAR Fruit Rolls are refreshingly straightforward: just fruit and sometimes a vegetable extract for color. The entire brand philosophy revolves around using simple, natural ingredients and a low-temperature baking process that retains the nutritional integrity of the fruit. By avoiding added sugars, concentrates, and artificial additives, BEAR offers a genuinely simple and wholesome snack option. This commitment to purity is what sets it apart from many other fruit-based treats on the market. For more information on the brand's production process, you can visit their website: https://bearsnacks.com/en-us/about-bear.
