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Christmas is a time of year full of gastronomic traditions that delight young and old. Without a doubt, one of the most iconic ingredients of these dates is candied fruit. Due to its color, sweetness and texture, it has become an element that cannot be missing in Christmas desserts.
In this post, we are going to explain why candied fruit is so important at Christmas. We will also talk about the origin of this tradition, how it is used in typical Christmas sweets and the most common types of candied fruit used by professionals. Stay with us to learn all the details of this type of fruit!
Why is candied fruit used at Christmas?
Candied fruit has a long history dating back to ancient times and is made by repeatedly dipping fruits into syrup until they acquire a crystallized texture. This method, which was initially used to preserve food for longer, has evolved to become a culinary technique used in different cultures around the world.
In Europe, candied fruit reached its peak popularity in the Middle Ages, especially in Italy and France, where it was used in religious celebrations. Over time, its association with Christmas became stronger, becoming an essential ingredient in traditional sweets such as Roscón de Reyes in Spain or the famous Panettone in Italy.
What Christmas sweets are candied fruit used in?
One of the main reasons why candied fruit is used at Christmas is because of its shiny appearance and vivid colors. In addition to decorating the most traditional Christmas sweets, these fruits provide a unique flavor and texture.
Without a doubt, the most representative example is the Roscón de Reyes, one of the most emblematic sweets of the Christmas holidays in Spain. This sweet dough, shaped like a crown, is decorated with candied fruits that symbolize the jewelry that the three Wise Men wore during their visit to Bethlehem. Professional pastry chefs carefully select candied fruits to achieve a very attractive appearance along with balanced flavors.
In addition to the Roscón de Reyes, the candied fruit is used in a wide variety of Christmas sweets:
- Panettone: This iconic Italian sweet bread includes pieces of candied fruit that give it a unique sweetness and texture.
- Stollen in German: It is a spiced fruit bread filled with candied fruits and covered in icing sugar.
- Fruitcakes: These cakes full of candied fruits and nuts are widely consumed at Christmas in different parts of the world.
- Cakes and tarts: Professionals also often use candied fruits to decorate or as an ingredient to add a Christmas touch to these desserts.
Types of candied fruit
The versatility that candied fruit offers to professionals is largely due to the variety of fruits that can be used in their creations. These are the most common:
Citrus fruits
- Orange and lemon: They are the most used, since they achieve a perfect balance between sweetness and acidity.
Brightly colored fruits
- Cherries: They are usually red or green and are essential in decorating Christmas sweets.
- Piña: Its juicy texture and tropical flavor make this fruit an ideal complement to combine flavors.
Exotic fruits
- Mango and papaya: increasingly present in establishments that seek to innovate with flavors.
- Figs: They are highly appreciated for their natural sweetness and characteristic texture.
How do professionals use candied fruit at Christmas?
Let’s look at some of the ways pastry chefs and chefs use candied fruit in their Christmas creations:
- To decorate: Candied fruit is perfect for embellishing desserts and achieving an attractive appearance for customers.
- To fill doughs: Traditional sweets such as Panettone and Stollen include candied fruits to provide flavor and texture when biting.
- To accompany: It is also used as a garnish or complement in sweet and savory dishes.
- In cocktails and drinks: Some mixologists incorporate candied fruits in Christmas cocktails, providing a sweet and festive touch.
The importance of choosing quality candied fruit
As we see, candied fruit at Christmas is an essential ingredient in many typical desserts. Professionals look for the highest quality and a wide catalog that adapts to their needs.
Lazaya Preserved Fruits is undoubtedly one of the brands that has earned a prominent position among the reference suppliers of chefs and pastry chefs around the world. Not only because of its extensive experience in the market with more than 8 decades of experience, but also because of its undoubted quality, its wide variety of fruits and the number of formats it offers to professionals.
Contact us and make your desserts shine this Christmas with the flavor and color of candied fruit. Happy Holidays!
