(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...
The Roscón de Reyes is undoubtedly one of the great protagonists of the Christmas holidays in Spain. It is a traditional sweet, full of candied fruit, history and symbolism with a unique appearance and characteristics that leaves no one indifferent.
One of the most important elements of the Roscón de Reyes is the candied fruit, which provides a sweet flavor, a spongy texture and a touch of vibrant and attractive color. In this post we are going to see how professionals use candied fruit in the preparation of Roscones de Reyes, the most common types of candied fruit and the importance of choosing a good supplier to obtain the best results.
What is candied fruit and how is it made?
Candied fruit is made using a traditional preserving process that involves soaking pieces of fruit in a sugar syrup until they absorb most of the liquid. Depending on the type of fruit, the process can take days or even weeks and its main objective is to prolong its shelf life and enhance its natural sweetness.
The final result is a fruit with a firm but juicy texture, with a high conservation capacity, an unmistakable sweet flavor and a very attractive appearance thanks to its striking colors.
What candied fruits are used in Roscones de Reyes?
There are various options for candied fruits on the market, but not all of them are suitable for the Roscón de Reyes. These are some of the most used:
- Candied cherry: Candied cherries are a classic in roscones. Its bright red color stands out among the other fruits and its sweet flavor is ideal for this type of bun. They are usually used split in two and without bones or stems.
- Candied orange: Orange is another essential element in Roscón de Reyes. It comes in thin slices or strips and provides a citrus touch that balances the general sweetness of this ring-shaped cake.
- Candied pumpkin: With its yellow-orange hue, candied pumpkin is another essential ingredient in the roscón. Its main contributions are a sweet, smooth flavor and a pleasant texture.
- Other decorative ingredients: In some cases, professionals can add pieces of almonds, pearl sugar and other exotic candied fruits, such as pineapple or ginger, to the cake.
Advantages of candied fruit in Roscón de Reyes
These are some of the reasons why professionals use candied fruit in their Roscones de Reyes:
- Eye-catching decoration: Candied fruit is mainly used to decorate the surface of the Roscón de Reyes. Professionals place fruits strategically to create an attractive and colorful design. Colors as attractive as red, green, yellow or orange make the roscón visually much more appetizing.
- Variety of flavors: The combination of different types of candied fruits not only improves the appearance of the roscón, but also adds a variety of flavors that make it more interesting and delicious. The sweet and citrus flavors of the candied fruits perfectly complement the smooth and slightly sweet flavor of the Roscón dough.
- Variety of textures: The contrast between the spongy and neutral dough of this cake and the firmness of the candied fruit creates a unique experience on the palate. That is why the Roscón is so appreciated and is one of the favorite sweets of adults and children.
- Tradition and symbolism: The use of candied fruit in the Roscón de Reyes also has a very important traditional and symbolic component on these dates. The candied fruits represent the jewels and treasures that the Three Wise Men brought to the baby Jesus when he was born. Decorating this special cake with candied fruits is a way to keep this tradition alive and celebrate this holiday in a delicious and joyful way.
How do professionals use candied fruit?
Professional pastry chefs and pastry chefs take care of every detail when decorating Roscón de Reyes with candied fruit. This process is not only for aesthetic purposes, but should also ensure that each serving has a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Let’s see how they use candied fruit step by step:
Fruit selection
Professionals select high-quality candied fruits and pay special attention to their texture, flavor and appearance. The fruits must be fresh and without excess sugars crystallized on the surface. This indicates that an optimal candying process has been carried out.
Strategic placement
The candied fruit must be placed evenly on the surface of the roscón, since a distribution is sought that combines striking colors and ensures a variety of fruits in any area of the bun.
Adhesion with beaten egg or syrup
To prevent candied fruit from shifting during baking, bakers often use a layer of beaten egg or syrup that acts as a “glue.” In this way, the pieces of fruit remain perfectly adhered to the surface, providing a shiny finish to the roscón.
Balance of flavors and textures
Professionals know how to perfectly combine different types of candied fruits to offer a unique experience on the palate; For example, the acidity of the orange, the sweetness of the cherry and the neutrality of the pumpkin mix perfectly to create a delicious cake.
The importance of choosing a good candied fruit supplier
The quality of candied fruit is a decisive factor to achieve an exceptional Roscón de Reyes. For this reason, baking professionals carefully choose their suppliers. In this way they differentiate themselves from competitors. A good candied fruit brand uses fresh fruits and syrups without unnecessary artificial additives. This ensures a much more authentic flavor and a uniform texture with balanced sweetness.
On the other hand, the supplier must offer, apart from a wide catalog of candied fruits, different formats to adapt to the needs of the professional, such as, for example, whole or halves cherries, orange in discs or strips, pumpkin in strips. This makes it easier to personalize the roscones and offer a wide variety to your customers.
In Lazaya Preserved Fruits, we have been offering professionals candied fruits of the highest quality and with a wide range of possibilities to facilitate their work for more than 80 years. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, we will be happy to help you. We take this opportunity to wish everyone the greatest happiness this Christmas season and a prosperous New Year.
