What beneficial effect on shelf life is observed when Salal berries are incorporated into mashed fruit leather with other berries?
Answer
It increases the shelf life of the resulting fruit leather
When salal berries are mashed with juicier fruits like thimbleberry or wild blackberry to create dried fruit leather or cakes, the addition of salal (even at proportions like 25%) significantly enhances the preservation quality of the final product. This preservative effect, similar to the action seen in the leaves, is largely attributed to the presence of tannins within the berries. These tannins inhibit spoilage mechanisms, allowing the energy-dense staple food to be stored for longer periods, which speaks to a binding or firming chemical action rather than a laxative one.

Related Questions
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