Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, you are not alone, as16% of Brits say sweet treats are their go-to items when peckish. Many more people love to enjoy sugary bites when they need a bite to eat, so candied fruit is often apopular choice. With the average person eating an above-recommended 700g of sugar every week, we often get quizzed about candied fruits as an alternative.
In this article, we will look at what delicious fruits offer a brilliant treat for the tastebuds once candied. If you love fruit and candy so want to know more about this process, this is the read for you!
Before we get the sugar boiling, we wanted to shed some light on what candied fruits are in case you are not already clued up on these delicacies.
Candied fruits are crystallised, covered in sugar syrup and then coated in chunky sugar to finish them. The sugar coating gives the fruit a chewy texture and helps preserve them, meaning that candied fruits can last for much longer than fresh versions.
Ideal for enjoying as a snack, candied fruits are also commonly used to decorate baked goods or table displays for grazing boards. They are also perfect for use in baking and cooking as the sugar gives the fruit a more robust finish, allowing it to be heated without making things a sloppy mess. Candied fruits are also known for having an elegant appearance due to how they are preserved, making them a lovely gift for others (or yourself!)
If you are in need of some more inspiration for what candied fruits can be used for, click the link.
Now, for the reason you are here, what products are best for turning into the decadent treat that is candied fruit? The main characteristic that unites all candied fruits is that they can withstand high temperatures. This means that delicate fruits such as raspberries and grapes are not the best to use due to their high water content. While turning these fruits into a candied product can be undertaken, the results are not guaranteed. Fruits that contain both pulp and seeds are good to use as they represent a durable food item.
Fruits from the Rosaceae family ideal for turning into candied items include cherries, apples, pears, peaches, and apricots. Another great option is pineapple, which is part of the Bromeliaceae family. In this instance, the fruit adopts a jerky-like effect as the sugar creates a chewy finish. Citrus fruits are also popular with candy as both skin and fruit flesh can be used to create different kinds of sweet treats. A great example is candied orange and lemon slices, a popular seasonal treat also commonly used in baking. Other fruits perfect for turning into candied treats include kiwi, melon and plums.
Although not a fruit, an incredibly popular item is whole candied angelica. This thick herb offers a flavour profile similar to liquorice, meaning that it can become very sweet once candied. This is a great product to use in baking but also a snack to eat alone if you enjoy anise-tasting products. Another popular way to enjoy candied fruits is by using already-dried options such as dates and figs. These offer a great addition to both sweet and savoury dishes.
Another consideration to make when making candied fruits is how they are prepared. For some tougher items, like apples or pears, it’s a good idea to cut the fruit into strips or smaller chunks. This is because once an item is candied, it can become tougher so it's easier to eat items in smaller portions. The thickness of fruits should also be chosen carefully as more of a crunch will be available from items that are on the thinner side. This is particularly ideal for items like candied orange and lemon slices.
A question we commonly get asked when people want to know about the types of fruits that can be candied is if they retain any health benefits. It will come as no surprise that covering something in sugar syrup is not classed as a completely healthy treat, but we believe that they still offer benefits compared to traditional sweets or candy.
Even though candied fruits are covered in sugar, they are still better for you than eating an alternative that is 100% sugar-based. There are also different methods of making candied fruits which can mean that some include less sugar in the end product than others.
When fruits are candied, the process essentially preserves them which means some of the original goodness is retained. This is another reason why fruits with high water levels are not always ideal as they can quickly lose their nutrients when subjected to excessive temperatures.
As with anything sweet, everything in moderation is ideal. It’s recommended than an adult should have no more than 30g of free sugars per day which should give you some guidance on how much candied fruit is ok to consume.
There are a few differences between both candied and glazed fruits.
Firstly, candied fruits are cooked in a sugar syrup until it becomes crystallised whereas glazed fruits are simply coated in their fresh state. Crystallised fruits also include a sugar coating that gives the fruit a chewy texture and a sweeter flavour. Glazed fruits include a thinner layer of sugar on the outside which normally crunches instead of chews.
Due to their preparation phases, glazed fruits retain their original size whereas candied options are typically smaller. Also, glazed fruits have a smooth and shiny finish whereas as candied fruits are more rugged looking.
If you are interested in buying candied fruit for snacking, baking, or even cake decorations, you may wonder why it has a higher price tag than the fresh alternative. The main reason is that creating the perfect candied fruit can be lengthy to ensure the perfect chew is available for the result. To create candied fruits, they are first boiled in sugar syrup, then dried and coated in additional sugar, which can also be a labour-intensive process for companies that make them by hand.
Additionally, the process of candying fruit can cause the fruit to lose some moisture, resulting in a smaller finished product yield than fresh fruit. Candied fruit is made in smaller batches, often by hand, so the price is slightly higher. However, on the plus side, you can benefit from expertly finished items that are guaranteed to offer an addictive sweetness wash with every bite. This also results in durable fruits that benefit from a longer shelf-life and are suitable for cooking and baking.
At Natural Health 4 Life, we are proud to stock a wide variety of candied fruit. We offer everything from candied citron peel to whole mixed fruits, meaning you can always find the product you require. All products are also available to purchase via weights and container sizes, meaning we have got you covered whether you plan on using the fruit for snacking on or baking with.
We also offer more unique fruits, such as ourcandied red and green cherries, which are perfect for using as decorations. Aside from our large collection ofcandied fruit, we also offer other candied items, such as our popular stem ginger pieces in syrup. When you shop from our collection, you also have peace of mind in knowing that all items are made with health in mind, extensively quality controlled and intended to be at affordable pricing. Shop our collection now!
