Pates de fruit are a sophisticated candy made from fruit jellies frosted with crystallized sugar. The process of making them is complicated, using only the best fruit purees. They have a chewy texture and combine sweet and sour flavors. They can be expensive and have a short shelf life.
Of all the wonderful confections available around the world, pates de fruit are widely recognized as one of the best. These sophisticated candies are usually found through high-end chocolatiers and delicatessen shops. They are pieces of fruit jellies frosted with crystallized sugar. While they might not seem like much, the process of making them is quite complicated, using only the best purely sweetened fruit purees.
Pates de fruit translates from French to “fruit paste” and considerable time is spent making the base. Some recipes call for the use of fruit preserves, others, syrups and jellies. If using fresh fruit, cooks will need to puree it in liquid form first. The fruit puree is heated to thicken, then processed until smooth. Hot liquid gelatin is added to the puree, which turns it into a thick fruit paste. The pates de fruit are then spread into large pans of jelly to cool. Once cooled, the tubs of gelatin are inverted and the solidified paste is cut into cubes.
Retail confectioners and pastry chefs use special smoothing sugars to coat sticky fruit pates. Sanding sugars adhere well, but can be very expensive. Common table sugar, also known as granulated sugar, is sometimes used.
Biting into these confections can be surprising at first. In one bite comes a powerful force of fruit, citric acids and fruit juice all at once. Pates de fruit have a chewy texture and combine the sweet and sour flavors of natural fruit juice. Those who love gummies will be delighted with what can be described as their “adult version”, as they can be made with natural fruit and robust citrus flavors. Popular varieties include mango, passion fruit, quince, blackberry, pear and pineapple.
Due to the cost of the ingredients and the time it takes to make pates de fruit, they can be a relatively expensive candy. A small box can cost around $10 US Dollars (USD), and higher-end retailers can sell them for up to $25 USD per box. During the winter holiday months, candy is in high demand.
Fruit pates generally don’t have a long shelf life and should be eaten within a week. However, people who like them don’t care about shelf life, as most are consumed and enjoyed as soon as they are purchased.
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