Fruit butter: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:44, 13 February 2025

A type of spread made from fruit and sugar

Fruit butter is a type of spread made by cooking fruit with sugar until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Unlike jam or jelly, fruit butter does not contain added pectin and is typically less sweet. The texture is thick and smooth, similar to butter, hence the name.

Preparation[edit]

A jar of powidl, a type of fruit butter made from plums

Fruit butter is made by slow-cooking fruit until it breaks down into a thick paste. The fruit is often peeled and cored, then pureed or mashed before cooking. Sugar is added to taste, and the mixture is cooked over low heat, allowing the water to evaporate and the flavors to concentrate. Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves may be added for additional flavor.

The cooking process can take several hours, during which the mixture is stirred frequently to prevent burning. Once the desired consistency is reached, the fruit butter is cooled and stored in jars. It can be preserved by canning or refrigeration.

Types of Fruit Butter[edit]

Fruit butters can be made from a variety of fruits, each offering a unique flavor profile. Some popular types include:

Apple butter: Made from apples, often spiced with cinnamon and cloves.
Pear butter: Similar to apple butter but made with pears.
Peach butter: Made from peaches, offering a sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
Plum butter: Known as powidl in Central Europe, made from plums and often used in traditional Austrian and Czech dishes.

Uses[edit]

Fruit butter is commonly used as a spread on bread, toast, or crackers. It can also be used as a filling for pastries, cakes, and cookies. In cooking, fruit butter can be used to add flavor to sauces, glazes, and marinades.

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Fruit butter''' is a type of [[spread]] made from pureed or finely mashed [[fruit]] cooked slowly with [[sugar]] until it reaches a thick, smooth consistency. Unlike [[jam]]s and [[jelly|jellies]], fruit butter is made by cooking the fruit for a long period, which results in a spread that is creamier and denser. The term "butter" in this context refers to the spread's smooth texture rather than containing any actual [[butter]] or [[dairy]] products. Fruit butters are commonly made from fruits such as [[apple]], [[pear]], [[peach]], and [[plum]].
+{{Short description|A type of spread made from fruit and sugar}}
+'''Fruit butter''' is a type of [[spread]] made by cooking [[fruit]] with [[sugar]] until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Unlike [[jam]] or [[jelly]], fruit butter does not contain added [[pectin]] and is typically less sweet. The texture is thick and smooth, similar to [[butter]], hence the name.
 ==Preparation==
-The preparation of fruit butter involves cooking the fruit with [[water]] and [[sugar]] over low heat. The fruit is first cleaned, peeled, and cored if necessary, then cooked until soft. The soft fruit is then pureed or mashed and returned to the heat. Spices such as [[cinnamon]], [[nutmeg]], and [[cloves]] may be added for flavor. The mixture is cooked down slowly, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and burning, until it thickens to a spreadable consistency. The long cooking time concentrates the fruit's natural flavors and sugars, resulting in a rich and intense taste.
+[[File:Powidl1.png|thumb|right|A jar of powidl, a type of fruit butter made from plums]]
+Fruit butter is made by slow-cooking fruit until it breaks down into a thick paste. The fruit is often peeled and cored, then pureed or mashed before cooking. Sugar is added to taste, and the mixture is cooked over low heat, allowing the water to evaporate and the flavors to concentrate. Spices such as [[cinnamon]], [[nutmeg]], or [[cloves]] may be added for additional flavor.
-==Uses==
+The cooking process can take several hours, during which the mixture is stirred frequently to prevent burning. Once the desired consistency is reached, the fruit butter is cooled and stored in jars. It can be preserved by canning or refrigeration.
-Fruit butter can be used in various ways, similar to other fruit spreads. It is commonly spread on [[bread]], [[toast]], and [[muffins]], used as a filling for [[pastry|pastries]] and [[cakes]], or served alongside [[cheese]]s and [[meat]]s. Due to its concentrated flavor and sweetness, fruit butter can also be used in small amounts to flavor [[yogurt]], [[oatmeal]], and [[smoothie|smoothies]].
-==Varieties==
+==Types of Fruit Butter==
-There are several types of fruit butter, each made from different fruits. Some of the most popular include:
+Fruit butters can be made from a variety of fruits, each offering a unique flavor profile. Some popular types include:
-* '''[[Apple butter]]''': Made from tart apples, it is one of the most common types of fruit butter. It often includes spices like cinnamon and clove, giving it a warm, spiced flavor.
+* '''[[Apple butter]]''': Made from [[apples]], often spiced with cinnamon and cloves.
-* '''[[Peach butter]]''': Made from ripe peaches, this variety has a sweet and tangy flavor.
+* '''[[Pear butter]]''': Similar to apple butter but made with [[pears]].
-* '''[[Pear butter]]''': Prepared from pears, it offers a subtle, sweet taste.
+* '''[[Peach butter]]''': Made from [[peaches]], offering a sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
-* '''[[Plum butter]]''': Known also as "plum jam" or "lekvar," made from plums, it has a deep, rich flavor.
+* '''[[Plum butter]]''': Known as [[powidl]] in Central Europe, made from [[plums]] and often used in traditional [[Austrian]] and [[Czech]] dishes.
-==Health Benefits==
+==Uses==
-Fruit butter can be a healthier alternative to other spreads that contain dairy or more added sugars. Since the fruit is cooked down and concentrated, it retains some of the fruits' nutritional benefits, including [[fiber]], [[vitamin C]], and [[antioxidants]]. However, the sugar content can be high, so it should be consumed in moderation.
+Fruit butter is commonly used as a spread on [[bread]], [[toast]], or [[crackers]]. It can also be used as a filling for [[pastries]], [[cakes]], and [[cookies]]. In cooking, fruit butter can be used to add flavor to [[sauces]], [[glazes]], and [[marinades]].
-==Storage==
+==Related pages==
-Fruit butter can be stored in [[refrigerator|refrigerated]] airtight containers for a few weeks. For longer storage, it can be [[canning|canned]] and kept in a cool, dark place for up to a year. Properly sealed jars of fruit butter are shelf-stable until opened, after which they should be refrigerated.
+* [[Jam]]
+* [[Jelly]]
+* [[Marmalade]]
+* [[Preserves]]
 [[Category:Spreads]]
 [[Category:Fruit dishes]]
-{{food-stub}}