The Incaberry

The Incaberry is indigenous to the high altitude tropical regions of South America. This exotic and delicious organic berry will not only tantalise your taste buds, but its array of health benefits put it in a class of its own.

inca berry Similar to a Cape Gooseberry, the Incaberry is a small fruit with a glossy orange-yellow skin that is surrounded by papery leaves. Once the fruit is dried it has a distinctive bronze orange colour. Organic Incaberries have an amazing taste sensation that is sweet with a fine and delicate sour finish. The taste is so unique, they just have to be tried.

Consumption

cheese platter

Organic Incaberries can be eaten fresh or more commonly as a dried fruit. They can be consumed alone or mixed with other fruits in salads. The berries are exquisite when covered in chocolate or used in exotic desserts. They can also be used in jams, sauces or as an ingredient in delicious cakes and desserts.

Dried Incaberries are a great free flowing product able to be easily packed and sold as snacks. They may be used in muesli and cereals or on cheese plates.

A unique and distinctive ingredient, they are ideal for use in all kinds of bakery products, including biscuits and for use in health food snack protein bars and can be enjoyed in all kinds of confectionery products.

sweets

Health Benefits of the Incaberry

Once more widely known to dieticians and nutritionists, organic Incaberries will surely be considered a superfood. Incaberries are natures nutritional powerhouse and are very high in fibre, high in vitamin C and antioxidants, and contain significant amounts of protein, iron, calcium, potassium and phosphorus. Importantly they are also extremely low in sodium and organically grown.

* Source: Australian Government National
Measurement Institute test results.

Prepare for a berry battle. Put aside those other berries, say goodbye to unpleasant tasting gojiberries, there is a new and superior berry in town. We have been accustomed to sacrificing flavor and enjoyment for improved health benefits. This is no longer the case with plump, juicy, sweet, golden, naturally nutrient rich Incaberries.

INCABERRY NUTRITION INFORMATION
		Qty per 100g
Energy		1220kJ
Protein		6.4g
Fat	Total	3.4g
	Saturated	0.5g
Carbohydrates	Total	49g
	Sugars	41g
Fibre		19.1g
Sodium		<1mg
Potassium		1500mg
Phosphorus		220mg
Calcium		24mg
Iron		3.1mg
Vitamin C		9.2mg

Source: Australian Government National
Measurement Institute test results.

A Privileged Soil

The location was very carefully selected for the commercial cultivation of Incaberries. The site was chosen for its naturally rich volcanic soil, for the high amount of organic matter and minerals, for the mild to low temperatures and low humidity. These conditions create the perfect soil for the Incaberry to grow and thrive.

The Hacienda Tambillo Alto (or farm) is located just south from Quito, in the province of Pichincha, Ecuador.

The Perfect Place to Plant

There are more than 90,000 vines planted on the property which is at approx. 2500 metres above sea level. All of the natural vegetation of the area is maintained under a strict organic environmental policy and respect for nature.

The farms were also selected for their rich fertile topsoil which is one to one and half metres deep. The land selected is on a 20 degree slope so that and the airflows are optimal and so that the plants grow healthy and strong.

The cool year round temperatures which remain reasonably constant are ideal. There is continuous water available for irrigation and there are wells and reservoirs for water conservation and re-circulation.

Everything is managed so the organic Incaberries are of the highest quality possible.

Organic Matter Processor

One of the best secrets to obtain a healthy and vigorous fruit, is the organic matter processor. This is where carefully selected amounts of manure, old vines of previous harvests, virgin black earth, rustic bran (a bacterial stimulant) common agricultural lime, molasses, granulated leavening, vegetal coal, plus water are mixed and degraded to obtain bucashe or compost.

This rich and excellent organic fertilizer takes approximately six weeks to prepare and is then used to nourish the plants that produce Incaberries of optimal quality.

Seed Selection

A strict selection called ‘by stake’ is used to choose the best plants from the plantation for seed development. Only the best fruits are chosen from the middle part of the plant. Each single berry contains many seeds so from just a handful of selected berries many thousands of seeds are available. Each seed is examined until a sufficient number of seeds are selected for plant development.

The Seed Plot

Where the ‘Baby Incaberries ’ are incubated
Once inside the climate and environmentally controlled chamber with a temperature of over 25 degrees Celsius, the process of manual maceration is initiated. The pulp of the mother Incaberries is bathed in a container with water and lemon juice (which is a natural disinfectant), until the seeds separate and descend by their own weight to the bottom of the container.

A Fundamental and delicate process

The seeds are dried and then go through a bacterial and fungicidal treatment. Once again they are dried, this time under shade on absorbent paper and will be closely monitored for the next 8 days. The seeds are then ready for planting in germination pods with a special mix of organic peat. At this early germination stage, the pods are placed under shade and kept for a further 12 days. New life beings and new Incaberry vines are about to be born.

To the Field Area

After the meticulous 6 week incubation process an anaerobic decomposition of the compost is performed, biologically degraded so that there is no risk of contamination. This fertilizer is then mixed in with the soil and the site is prepared to receive the plants. Plantation begins and the new plants will be nourished throughout their growth cycle to produce this exquisite fruit that will be tasted around the world.

Absolute care

fields

It is important to note the farms are kept under a strict phytosanitary control to naturally eliminate pests, insects, bacteria and fungi. Corrective actions are applied to neutralise the PH of the soil and to improve the chemistry and physiology of the plants.

The Harvest

After five months of pruning, growing and taking care through minimum intervention farming practices, the organic berries will be ready for harvest. Harvesting of the Incaberries when they are ripe is performed by hand with care and attention to quality.

Management

Once harvested the organic Incaberries are transferred to the post-harvest warehouse, sorted and then taken to the plant for finished product development.

All stages of harvesting and processing is very labour intensive, so all workers are treated respectfully and fairly under governing labour laws.

The diamond must be Polished

Once harvested the Incaberries are processed under strict conditions and controls including ISO9001 and HACCP certifications. Under these controls there are three main processes that are carried out:

Incaberries selected to be sold as fresh berries are washed and cleansed, pealed, selected, graded and packed to be consumed as a fresh fruit delicacy around the world

Only the premium quality Incaberries are selected for dehydration. These are cleansed, pealed, selected, graded and then dried. Once dried, they are graded and selected again, inspected and certified, then packed for distribution and shipping to selected markets to be consumed as a healthy and exclusive dried fruit.
Dried Incaberries are selected for further processing and value adding and fusion with the different varieties of cacao-beans from Ecuador to produce exquisite white, milk and dark chocolates. These wonderful confections are shipped to customers and specialty markets all over the world.

Finished Products

All the Incaberry products are produced using the highest quality standards and packaging. You will be consuming Incaberries that have been cared for from the very beginning as seedlings right through to our highest quality finished products.

There are no supply issues with our Incaberries as there is no seasonal crop production. Our Incaberries are constantly produced with freshly harvested fruit available on a regular basis throughout the year. As demand grows, more will easily be planted. We take great pride in our Incaberries which have Organic and Fair Trade Certifications in addition to ISO9001 and Haccp third-party independent certifications.

Pricing

We have the ability to offer year round stable pricing (except for large exchange rate movements). This pricing policy provides the opportunity to prepare long term R&D and marketing plans and gives confidence to manufacturers, packers, distributors, retailers and consumers.

This is totally unique when pricing for all other berries and dried fruits are at the mercy of the markets, where weather conditions and crop failures can cause supply problems and prices can double or triple depending on availability. No such problems with our Incaberries. Our Incaberry production, supply and pricing is stable, consistent and dependable.

Taking care of the Environment

The farms are located in an area where great amounts of virgin forest surround them which provides the ideal soil and growing conditions. The farming practices are based on conservation and protection of the region. Working with responsible environmental management, including recycling, using ecological machinery, and maintaining a

replanting policy, allows the preservation of the fantastic environment that we have been blessed with.

The impressive Cotopaxi volcano creates a magical landscape as it motivates us all to take care of the wonderful place in which we work.

The Perfect Product

Our fruit is certified by BCS and fulfills international norms of organic agriculture.

HACCP ISO

GB Commtrade is the first company to import 100% certified organic Incaberries into Australia.

All production processes are governed under international quality systems from the farming practices right through to the packaging of finished goods. The crop is organically grown and prepared and is certified by BCS. The crop is also certified by Global GAP to guarantee the quality of the organic Incaberries. The processing and management is conducted in accordance with the HACCP, Organic ISO Certifications and principals.

Nutritional Information

DIETARY FIBRE OF COMMON DRIED FRUITS

* Source: Australian Government National
Measurement Institute test results.

DOWNLOADS
The full Australian Government National Measure Institute nutritional information
Additional nutritional information

INCABERRY NUTRITION INFORMATION
		Qty per 100g
Energy		1220kJ
Protein		6.4g
Fat	Total	3.4g
	Saturated	0.5g
Carbohydrates	Total	49g
	Sugars	41g
Fibre		19.1g
Sodium		<1mg
Potassium		1500mg
Phosphorus		220mg
Calcium		24mg
Iron		3.1mg
Vitamin C		9.2mg