Cookery School: THEORY Fruits: Berries

Posted on by Bloody Bertie

Berries

1. Currants

  • Blackcurrant: They are a pea-sized Summer fruit, round, very bright, with an intense red color. They have a bittersweet flavor and each branch has its own currant.
  • Red currant: They come in clusters of about 12 or 13 berries. Smaller than the blackcurrant, the red currant is bright red and eye-catching with a very sour taste.
  • Yellow currant: They come in clusters of an intermediate size between the black and red currant. The yellow variety provides more acidic flavors, and it’s ideal when mixed with wines or liqueurs. It makes great reductions and when mixed with sugars we get jellies or jams. It goes well when combined with poultry, game and red meat. They provide color and shine when raw. It’s the perfect accompaniment for strong dishes and desserts.
Black, red and yellow currant

2. Black Cranberry

Black Cranberries are small with a dark color. When they are matured, they provide a very juicy syrup and a great addition to sauces, broths or desserts.

Black Cranberry

3. Strawberry

  • Farmed strawberries: They are bright, red, with a tender flesh and a light aroma. Ideal for jams, cakes or desserts.
  • Wild Strawberry: Very small in size, with a smooth flesh, intense aroma and penetrating flavor. They go very well with any sauce or stew.
Strawberry

4. Blackberry

Blackberries are a wild fruit with a bright black color, soft texture and lots of sweetness. When raw they are ideal added to certain sauces, and combined in confectionery to make very attractive dishes.

Blackberry

5. Raspberry

A cross between the mulberry and strawberry, they are a key ingredient in Spanish and English sauces. They are used in jellies and jams and go great with game. They can be served raw for attractive desserts, mousses, sorbets or on their own. Like mulberrys, they can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months for future use.

  • Red raspberry: Fat, juicy and with a very pleasant acidity.
  • Black raspberry: Dark color with softer flavor leaving a pleasant aroma of honey.
  • Yellow raspberry: Same texture as red raspberry, although more acidic.
  • Logan raspberry: Of an Intense red color and double the size of the others, they have a sweet and sour taste. They are the ideal raspberry for making oriental sweet and sour sauce mixed with vinegar and sugar.
Raspberry

6. Madrone strawberry

This variety of strawberry, that tastes similar to a fig, leaves a nice scent and is mainly used for jams or mixed with liqueurs.

Madrone strawberry

 

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