Zephyr: original Russian confectionery product

Abstract

Zephyr is one of the most favorite sweets in Russia: tender and airy. So, in 2017, the share of zephyr accounted for 23.5% in the segment of sugary confectionery products in Russia, which in physical terms amounted to 251.5 thousand tons. Its popularity among consumers is facilitated by the fact that natural fruit raw materials are used in the manufacture of zephyr. The modern industrial technology of zephyr is developed on the basis of folk recipes for pastila, which was made from apples and honey as a way of preserving apples. Zephyr is a pastila type confectionery of a foamy structure, the mass fraction of fruit raw materials in which is not less than 11%, the density is not more than 0.6 g / cm3. The use of a large amount of fruit raw materials in zephyr increases the nutritional value and enriches it with macro- and micronutrients. Pectin gives additional beneficial properties to zephyr, since it is able to bind heavy metals and radionuclides. The mass fraction of pectin in zephyr is in the range from 3% to 9%, which turns zephyr into a source of dietary fiber. To preserve the unique Russian dessert, the Research Institute of the Confectionery Industry has developed a method for determining the mass fraction of fruit raw materials in pastila products based on the ratio of the mass fraction of organic acids and macronutrients, the values of which are determined using the method of capillary electrophoresis. 34 samples of zephyr presented in the retail chains of the Russian Federation were studied for compliance with the requirements of the state standard for the content of fruit raw materials. High content of fruit raw materials from 11 to 60% was confirmed for most samples.

Improving pastille manufacturing technology using the developed multicomponent fruit and berry paste

“…Given the growing and steady interest in "healthy products", pastille products with a foam structure, based on natural fruit raw materials, are increasingly in demand by consumers. It is known that the mass fraction of fruit (vegetable) raw materials in marshmallows is not less than 11 %, in pastilles -not less than 20 % [26]. This makes it possible to better reveal the properties that could enrich pastille with physiologically functional ingredients.…”