Jelly fruits is a product widely used in gastronomy, especially in the field of baking and professional cooking. Its versatility and ease of use make it a very attractive option for decorating, providing texture and enhancing flavor in different culinary creations. In addition, the fact that it is made with fruits gives it a natural and fresh touch that elevates the quality of any dish.
In this post we are going to provide more details about this ingredient, how it is made and what are the most frequent uses of jelly fruits in the professional kitchen. Thus, both chefs and pastry chefs will be able to make the most of this magnificent product in their creations.
Why do professionals use jelly fruits?
Jelly fruit is a preparation based on fruit puree and a gelling agent that allows you to obtain a firm but flexible texture, with an intense fruit flavor and different concentrations of sugar. Professional versions are usually balanced to maintain the flavor of the fruit without being excessively sweet.
Its versatility and the ability to add flavor and texture to a wide range of dishes, make it an essential ally for professionals. From desserts to main dishes, appetizers and cocktails, the possibilities offered by this ingredient are endless. Let’s see why professionals frequently use it in their creations:
- Intense natural flavor: The quality of the fruit used in its preparation is crucial, since its flavor is maintained after gelation. Hence the importance of looking for an accredited and reliable supplier.
- Firm but soft texture: Thanks to the incorporation of gelling agents, jelly fruits acquire a texture that can be cut into cubes, sheets or any desired shape without breaking.
- Vivid colors: Jelly fruits preserve the vibrant colors of the fruit, making it a widely used element in decorating desserts and dishes.
- Conservation and versatility: Its conservation capacity is one of its main advantages. Being preserved, it maintains its freshness and flavor for longer, allowing professionals to always have a versatile and ready-to-use ingredient on hand.
- Healthy alternative: Jelly fruits are also appreciated in healthy cooking for its low calorie content and high nutritional value. They are rich in vitamins and minerals from fruits and do not contain fat.
Most common uses of jelly fruits in professional cooking
Jelly fruit is a versatile product that offers multiple applications in the professional kitchen. Let’s see some of the most common:
Decoration of cakes and desserts
The most common use of jelly fruits is as a decorative element in cakes, mousses and desserts. The texture and color of gelatin give an elegant and attractive finish to any creation. In addition, the fresh flavor of the fruit enhances the flavor of desserts of different types, from cheesecakes to fruit pies. In a strawberry cake, for example, cubes or sheets of strawberry jelly can be incorporated to decorate the top, providing an extra layer of flavor and texture that surprises diners. You can also create gelatin figures, flowers and other shapes, providing an artistic and delicious touch to the dessert.
Filled with bonbons and chocolates with jelly fruits
Chocolates filled with jelly fruits are a classic in gourmet chocolate. Jelly fruits act as a perfect filling for chocolates, providing a sweet, fruity flavor that contrasts wonderfully with the bitterness of dark chocolate or the smoothness of milk chocolate. An example could be chocolate bonbons filled with passion fruit or raspberry jelly that provide an explosion of fruity flavor in every bite.
Making layered desserts with jelly fruits
Jelly fruit is ideal for creating layered desserts that alternate different textures and flavors. This type of dessert is visually attractive and allows you to enjoy a wide variety of flavors in every bite. Fruit parfait , for example, includes layers of mango jelly, yogurt and raspberry puree. This dessert not only looks very attractive, but offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
Complement for ice cream and sorbets
Jelly fruits can be cut into cubes or pieces and added as a complement to ice creams and sorbets. This not only adds a touch of fresh flavor, but also provides a pleasant texture that combines perfectly with the creaminess of ice cream or the lightness of sorbets. We can see it in vanilla ice creams with pieces of red jelly fruits, which offers a very interesting contrast of colors and flavors.
Savory dishes and starters
In modern cooking, jelly fruits are also used in savory dishes; For example, they are used in refreshing and healthy appetizers to be combined with cheese, nuts, foie gras or sausages, since their sweet flavor and texture contrast very well with these products. For example, you can combine goat cheese with fig jelly, since the fruity flavor of the gelatin enhances the flavor of the cheese even more.
Cocktails and drinks
It is increasingly common to find jelly fruits in cocktails and drinks to decorate or flavor certain preparations. Jelly can serve to encapsulate alcohol and other ingredients, creating “jelly shots” or “cocktail cubes” that become a unique sensory experience for customers. An example could be the vodka cocktail with tropical jelly fruits cubes that add flavor and color to the drink, providing extra freshness and attractiveness.
Gourmet dishes with jelly fruits
In haute cuisine, we can find jelly fruits integrated into savory dishes, accompanying meats and fish. Its freshness and softness perfectly complement the intense and complex flavors of these dishes, creating very sophisticated combinations.
Innovative desserts
Jelly fruit is widely used by professionals in numerous desserts due to its ability to create unique textures. For example, they combine transparent jellies with embedded fruits, in fruit mousse and semifreddo. These preparations not only stand out for their flavor, but also for their attractive presentation.
How to Choose Quality Fruit Jelly for Optimal Results
We have seen some most common uses of jelly fruits, but there are many more. Chefs and pastry chefs know that they must trust a proven supplier with a long history in the market to prepare their creations with the highest quality ingredients.
In the case of jelly fruits, they will look for it to be made with natural fruits, to have an ideal texture, to maintain its shape and firmness and to have different flavors to experiment with in their preparations. This is the way to guarantee the best results in dishes and desserts.
Lazaya Preserved Fruits, after more than eight decades offering the best canned fruit, is undoubtedly one of the suppliers best valued by professionals. contact us and discover how to differentiate yourself from the competition with unique dishes and desserts using the best jelly fruits.