Candied Fruit Treats: Tracing The Origin Of Candied Fruits

Candied fruits are beloved sweet treats that are enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults. It is a simple dessert that packs a lot of flavor. But have you ever wondered how this sweet was created? Keep reading to learn more.

Candied fruits are also known as crystallised fruits, and they are essentially fruits that have been cooked in a sugary syrup and are later kept in the syrup for a long time. The water content of the fruit is replaced by sugar throughout the soaking process, which might last several days to a couple of weeks. As a result, the fruit is solid and sweet-flavored. Firm fruits are excellent for candied fruits because softer fruits will not withstand the extended soaking period. Candied fruits include pineapple, apples, apricots, cherries, and dates.

Tracing The Origins Of Candied Fruits

You need to go back many years to trace the history of candied fruits. It has long been a common practice to make candied fruits, and it is a history of pleasure. The idea behind candied fruits was to preserve the fruits throughout the winter season, and the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks, and Persians were looking for ways to do it.

Honey was among the first ingredients that were used, and later fruit jellies and jams were created. Since the 7th century, sugar has expanded throughout the world. Sugar cane was originally cultivated in Egypt and North Africa (the first written references to cane sugar) and then spread to the Iberian Peninsula in the 10th century.

However, sugar was still seen as an exotic spice, similar to salt or pepper, that merely enhanced the flavour of certain foods. The basic method of candied fruit origin dates back to the 14th century, when sugar became known outside of India. The method involves immersing whole fruits, peels, or even little cut pieces in a heated, viscous syrup that absorbs moisture from the fruit and preserves it.

The Tanghulu

You can arguably say that it is China's most popular street snack currently. The streets are often flooded with sellers with their trademark long bamboo skewers, which are loaded with shiny candied fruits. It is a great sight to look at, and it is something that really attracts people.

In Chinese, Tanghulu translates to 'bottle gourd.' It is a common fruit that is consumed in China throughout the winter season, and thus even Tanghulu is sold and enjoyed extensively during the winter months. There is also another name for this sweet dish, Iced Tanghulu, because of the sugar coating on the fruit. But apart from that, if you love Tanghulu, you make a sweet treat with a wide range of fruits such as grapes, cranberries, oranges, pineapples, strawberries, apples, and more.

How To Enjoy Them

You can have candied fruits on special occasions like Christmas, parties, and more. They are particularly popular during the winter season, making them a perfect choice for New Year celebrations as well. You can enjoy them as they are or add them to your desserts, such as biscuits, muffins, cakes, charlottes, and verrines.