In times of innovation, we discovered how with a magnificent idea and the desire of its creators to transform it into a product, one can enter a competitive market. Today we present you some interesting and differentiating sweet potato snacks that are already taking their first steps to reach more and more public. In addition, trying to satisfy an aspect that consumers already value even when buying this type of food: the healthy. In Gastronomic Information we have been able to interview the two entrepreneurs of boniafit, brand that already sells its jewels of the earth. This is just the beginning of something revolutionary for an industry where "it is very difficult to compete and innovate in traditional potato chips." Therefore, the sweets are here. Let's get to know them!
Origin of BoniaFit: from the faculty to the market
Everything started at the university. José Luis Pineda and Pablo García graduated from the career of APPOINTMENT (Food Science and Technology) by the Miguel Hernández University of Elche. But, beyond the knowledge acquired, these two young people from Alicante decided to undertake after a first success achieved in college. Specifically, it was in a contest -New Food- in which both presented the prototype of their project prepared for two subjects of the last year. "It is about developing a food, its image and marketing, so that it conforms to the 5S criteria, that is to say that it is: healthy, safe, tasty, sustainable and socially accepted", they explain.
The idea was liked. «The product managed to win the New Food and together with the support of the teachers, we ventured into entrepreneurship, so we decided to train ”, they recall. For this purpose, the two young men attended the sprint of business creation from his own university. In January 2019 they had already established their new company under the name of boniafit. It was time to enter a competitive market but with a different and innovative proposal: sweet potato snacks.
Why sweet potato snacks?
In an industry very dominated by typical french friesIt was necessary to offer something new, "that had a differentiating character." They were clear about it, they looked for candidates and “the sweet potato turned out to be the most promising for several reasons. The first of them is that it is widely cultivated in our region -Alicante- with which we could support the local trade, reduce costs and the impact of transportation. Another reason is that it has a very interesting nutritional profile, mainly due to its high content of provitamin A and fiber«. However, they still highlight another relevant aspect of the sweet potato:
"It is a very sweet food but with a low glycemic index, so its sugar content does not increase the amount of sugar in the blood"
"The way of producing" also matters
Of such a food healthy and sweet potato that is cultivated in the Alicante region, currently, boniafit sells only its sweet potato snacks under the name jewelry from the earth. “It is made, among other things, at very low temperatures, and this greatly reduces the amount of acrylamide in the final product. This is a substance that is created naturally in foods such as potatoes, bread or coffee when they are processed at high temperatures. In addition, it is related to cancer ”, they reveal.
No "strict limitations" on the maximum amount they can contain of acrylamide some foods, "yes there are reference values" and in this, the sweet potato snacks they want to be different. At least, compared to those chips they have "around 750 ug per kg." On boniafit they are kept at "100 ug per kg", so the product is "healthier, even if this reduces our production capacity, since lowering the temperature increases frying times".
What they tell us shows that "the way of producing" also matters and even both entrepreneurs want to go one step further. They are already working on a second version of the food -swips- with which they intend to «decrease by up to a 50% the amount of fat, while maintaining the original flavor and texture, thanks to the use of edible coatings ”. Of course, this will involve "a considerable investment."
At the moment, they have also developed other jewelry with "salt and pepper or spicy", two flavors that maintain the essence of the first product launched: no added sugars, preservatives or colorings. In addition, they have the clean label.
The complicated tasty and healthy relationship
The industry you have ventured into boniafit wants to fulfill with increasing success the demands of consumers today. Those who wish to enjoy healthier food, but they are not easy to come by. «There are already some products with better nutritional profiles than those of the snacks traditional fried, with less fat, more fiber and even more protein. However, there are several problems that are difficult to solve, "they acknowledge. One of them has to do with the complicated relationship of food tasty and healthy, if you also think that "flavor is the main attribute that is sought in a snack."
Although you can use "flavorings", you end up associating the product as ultra-processed and with this qualifier, it does not fit in the list of table royal fooder present. But, does this imply that a better relationship between the two concepts is not possible? No, since "alternative frying methods such as vacuum" can be used despite the fact that "it is usually associated with large investments or significant reduction in productivity". "It is a drawback in such a competitive market," they clarify.
Of course, what for others can be a problem, in boniafit make it their great weapon of differentiation and search for success. Your jewels are now available in hypermarkets Carrefour from the province of Alicante with a "pretty good reception." Likewise, they have a presence in small stores and even the channel online, that “every time it goes to more”.
Now, in the midst of a crisis for the coronavirusThey have had to stop the "promotion at fairs", but at least they have not suffered a sudden stop. Because their projection will give way in the future to other ideas with "raw materials such as carrots or beets." Time to time. For now, you can already taste the sweet potato snacks, a healthier revolution without sacrificing taste.
