Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce offers a delicious and wholesome snack option for health-conscious consumers. Made from certified USDA organic apples, this smooth and creamy fruit sauce provides a natural sweetness without any artificial additives. Santa Cruz Organic has elevated the humble applesauce by creating a range of flavors that incorporate organic fruits like apricots and peaches, as well as spices such as cinnamon.
The brand’s commitment to quality is evident in their production process, which involves grinding organic apples into a saucy blend. This method preserves the natural flavors and nutrients of the fruit, resulting in a product that tastes fresh and authentic. Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce comes in various packaging options, including individual cups for on-the-go snacking and larger jars for family consumption.
History of Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce
Santa Cruz Organic’s journey began in the early 1970s in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Founder John Battendieri had a vision for organic food and set out to revitalize abandoned orchards in the area.
In 1972, Battendieri pressed his first batch of organic apple juice, branded as “Mr. Natural.” This was one of the earliest packaged organic products available to consumers.
The company’s commitment to organic practices grew over time. Santa Cruz Organic became a pioneer in the industry, offering a wide range of organic juices and blends.
They were the first juice processor to use exclusively organic fruit in their products. This dedication to quality and natural ingredients set a new standard in the market.
As the brand expanded, they introduced organic applesauce to their product line. The applesauce maintained the company’s core values of using USDA-certified organic apples without GMOs, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce quickly gained popularity among health-conscious consumers. It offered a blend of nutrition and taste that appealed to a growing market for organic snacks.
Today, Santa Cruz Organic continues to produce high-quality organic applesauce, staying true to its roots in sustainable and natural food production.
Health and Nutritional Benefits
Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce offers several key nutritional advantages. This product provides essential vitamins and minerals while using organic ingredients.
Vitamin C Content
Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce is an excellent source of vitamin C. Each serving contains 100% of the daily recommended value of this vital nutrient. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, plays a crucial role in growth, development, and tissue repair.
It supports the immune system and acts as an antioxidant. The ascorbic acid in the applesauce also helps maintain its color. This vitamin C content makes Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce a nutritious snack option.
Organic Apples
The use of organic apples in Santa Cruz Applesauce provides additional health benefits. Organic farming practices avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. This can result in apples with higher nutrient content.
Organic apples may contain more antioxidants and phenolic compounds. These substances can help protect cells from damage. The applesauce also provides dietary fiber, which supports digestive health and may help lower cholesterol levels.
Organic apples can be a good source of potassium, an essential mineral for heart and muscle function. By choosing organic, consumers may reduce their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Product Range
Santa Cruz Organic offers a diverse selection of applesauce products and fruit cups. Their lineup includes classic applesauce as well as flavored varieties and portable snack options.
Applesauce Varieties
Santa Cruz Organic produces a range of applesauce products to suit different preferences. Their flagship offering is the traditional organic applesauce, made by grinding USDA certified organic apples into a smooth blend. This classic variety comes in 23-ounce jars.
For those seeking additional flavors, Santa Cruz offers applesauce with cinnamon and spices. They also create fruit-blended varieties by adding pureed organic fruits like apricots and peaches to the apple base.
The brand packages their applesauce in various sizes. Large 23-ounce jars are available for families or frequent consumers. Smaller 4-ounce cups provide convenient single-serving portions.
Fruit Cups
Santa Cruz Organic extends their fruit-based product line with portable fruit cups. These snack-sized options typically contain 4 ounces of fruit per cup.
The fruit cups feature organic applesauce as well as other fruit blends. Like their jarred counterparts, these cups may include flavored varieties such as cinnamon-apple or mixed fruit combinations.
Fruit cups are sold in multi-packs for convenience. A typical case contains 12 packs, with each pack holding 6 individual cups. This packaging makes them ideal for lunchboxes, on-the-go snacking, or portion control.
Santa Cruz emphasizes the use of organic ingredients in their fruit cups, maintaining their commitment to natural products free from artificial additives.
Usage in Recipes
Santa Cruz organic applesauce adds moisture, sweetness, and nutritional value to a variety of dishes. It serves as a versatile ingredient that can enhance both sweet and savory recipes.
Sauces
Santa Cruz organic applesauce excels as a base for flavorful sauces. It pairs well with pork dishes, creating a tangy-sweet complement to grilled or roasted meats. Mixing the applesauce with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of brown sugar results in a quick and easy apple pie-inspired sauce for desserts.
For a savory twist, combine the applesauce with Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and herbs to make a zesty sauce for chicken or turkey. The natural sweetness of the applesauce balances out acidic ingredients, resulting in a well-rounded flavor profile.
In barbecue sauces, Santa Cruz organic applesauce adds depth and helps thicken the consistency. It can replace some of the sugar typically used, offering a healthier alternative without sacrificing taste.
Nutrition Facts
Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce offers a nutritious snack option with minimal calories and no added sugars. The product contains essential nutrients while maintaining a simple, organic ingredient list.
Serving Size and Calories
A standard serving of Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce is 4 oz (113 g). This portion contains 50 calories, making it a low-calorie snack choice. For those watching their calorie intake, a smaller serving of 2 oz (56.5 g) provides just 25 calories.
The calorie content comes entirely from carbohydrates, as the product contains no fat or protein. This makes it an ideal option for those following low-fat diets or looking for quick energy sources.
Total Fat and Sodium
Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce contains 0 grams of total fat per serving. This absence of fat contributes to its low calorie count and makes it suitable for various dietary needs.
The sodium content in this applesauce is minimal. While exact figures aren’t provided in the search results, organic applesauce typically contains very little sodium unless added during processing.
This low-fat, low-sodium profile makes Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce a heart-healthy option for those monitoring their fat and salt intake.
Sugars and Added Sugars
The sugar content in Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce comes naturally from the apples used in its production. The product contains no added sugars, preserving its natural flavor profile.
While the exact amount of sugars isn’t specified in the search results, it’s important to note that all carbohydrates in this product come from the natural sugars in apples.
For those monitoring their sugar intake, this applesauce provides a way to enjoy a sweet treat without consuming artificial sweeteners or added sugars.
Total Carbohydrate and Dietary Fiber
The total carbohydrate content of Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce accounts for 100% of its calorie content. Given that a 4 oz serving contains 50 calories, one can estimate the total carbohydrate content to be around 12-13 grams per serving.
Apples are a good source of dietary fiber, and this applesauce likely retains some of that fiber. However, the exact amount of dietary fiber per serving isn’t provided in the search results.
Fiber aids in digestion and helps maintain a healthy gut. It also contributes to a feeling of fullness, making this applesauce a satisfying snack option.
Protein Content
Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce contains 0 grams of protein per serving. This is typical for fruit-based products, as fruits generally are not significant sources of protein.
While the applesauce doesn’t contribute to daily protein needs, its low-calorie nature makes it easy to pair with protein-rich foods for a balanced snack.
For those seeking to increase their protein intake, combining this applesauce with foods like Greek yogurt or nuts can create a more nutritionally complete snack.
Consumer Information
Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce offers convenient and healthy snack options for consumers. This product is available through various retailers and comes in different packaging formats to suit various needs.
Target Grocery Snacks
Target sells Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce in a case of 12 jars, each containing 23 oz of product. This bulk option provides ample supply for families or frequent consumers. The applesauce is made from 100% organic apples, without artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Santa Cruz Organic also offers smaller, portable packaging. 4 oz cups are available, ideal for lunchboxes or on-the-go snacking. These cups often come in packs of six, balancing convenience with quantity.
The applesauce’s smooth texture makes it versatile. Consumers can enjoy it as a standalone snack, spread it on toast, or mix it into yogurt. Each serving provides 100% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C, adding nutritional value to its convenience.