Loading...
As we know, candied fruit is a sweet delicacy that adorns our tables during the Christmas season and a classic that never goes out of style. But many wonder what happens to this product when the Christmas holidays end. Do professionals continue to use it the rest of the year, or is its consumption only limited to these important dates?
In this post, we are going to see the possible demand for candied fruit all year round and how professionals use it in their creations.
Uses of candied fruit in modern cooking
Candied fruit is always associated with Christmas desserts, however, it has become a very versatile ingredient that has found its place in professional cooking beyond the festive season. Let’s see some of the uses by chefs and pastry chefs in today’s cuisine:
Uses in baking
An essential ingredient in many baking recipes due to its ability to add flavor and color to a wide variety of desserts. Outside of the Christmas season, it is used in:
- Cakes and Biscuits: Professionals use pieces to decorate and fill cakes and biscuits. In this way, a sweet touch and a much more interesting texture are provided. Candied fruit cubes are also often used in muffins, cupcakes and plum cakes.
- Ice cream and yogurt: It is also used in ice cream and yogurt to achieve more attractive color and flavor combinations. An example could be tutti frutti ice cream.
- Chocolates: The combination with chocolate is very tasty, which is why chocolates are the ideal product to innovate with this ingredient creating different flavor combinations.
Uses in savory dishes
It is also used in savory dishes, as an accompaniment and to provide a unique touch in terms of flavor and texture:
- Meats and sauces: The sweetness can be an excellent complement to salty flavors. On the other hand, sauces made with candied fruit are ideal to accompany some types of meat.
- Puff pastries and appetizers: used to give a special touch in the preparation of all types of puff pastries. In addition, they are often used to accompany dried fruits and serve them as an aperitif. In this way a highly appreciated combination of flavors is created.
Cocktails and Drinks
Candied fruit has also found its place in the world of cocktails, especially to decorate:
- Cocktails: Maraschino cherries have become a classic in many cocktails, as they provide a touch of class with their attractive colors.
- Smoothies and sorbets: Cubes are also often used in sorbets and smoothies to add a touch of flavor and consistency to the product.
Why is candied fruit used all year round?
Cooking and baking is an art that knows no seasons and candied fruit is an ingredient that offers a touch of unique flavor and color to all types of dishes and desserts throughout the year.
In the case of pastries, professional pastry chefs use pieces of orange, lemon, cherry and other fruits to give a special touch to their creations, whether they are cakes, cupcakes, chocolates, muffins or cookies, among others. Its texture and sweetness are ideal to contrast with less sweet doughs or to add a very attractive point of color to decorations. But candied fruit is not only used in baking, professionals also use it in other contexts:
International kitchen
Beyond desserts, candied fruit has found its place in international cuisine. In Asian dishes, for example, this ingredient is used to add a sweet touch to meats and sweet and sour sauces. Also in Mediterranean cuisine, candied fruit is incorporated into fresh summer salads, offering an interesting counterpoint to salty and sour flavors.
Gourmet gastronomy
In gourmet gastronomy, it is also the protagonist. Innovative chefs use this delicacy in savory dishes, combining it with meats, cheeses and salads to create interesting contrasts of flavors. For example, an arugula salad with goat cheese and candied orange pieces can be a surprising and delicious dining experience.
How to increase the demand for candied fruit all year round?
Let’s look at some aspects to take into account to increase the demand for candied fruit outside the Christmas season:
Quality products and good presentation
To maintain a constant demand throughout the year, it is crucial to offer high-quality products and attractive presentations. Professionals can take advantage of the product’s versatility to create new recipes and combinations that attract customers once the Christmas holidays have concluded.
Promotions and marketing
Marketing and promotions also play an important role in generating demand. Offering new recipes, tutorials, and inspiring content on social media can help audiences discover new ways to use it. Additionally, creating special promotions for other holidays and events can maintain interest and sales throughout the year.
Educate the consumer
Educating consumers about the benefits and uses of candied fruit beyond traditional desserts is essential. Many people are not aware of the versatility of this product and tend to associate it only with Christmas. Through information campaigns and tastings, professionals can demonstrate how candied fruit can enrich a wide variety of dishes and occasions.
Candied fruit of the highest quality
As we have seen, candied fruit is much more than a Christmas sweet. Its versatility in the kitchen and its ability to adapt to different dishes and desserts make it a product in demand throughout the year. Professionals use this ingredient more and more and always choose brands that offer high quality products and in the formats they need to carry out their work perfectly.
In Lazaya Preserved Fruits, we have a wide catalog of candied fruit to cover the demand for candied fruit all year round and the needs of all professionals who want to surprise their clients with innovative and sophisticated creations. If you need to personalize your order, all you have to do is contact us. We will be happy to do our bit for the success of your business. Talk later?
