Summer is the height of fruit season. Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, sour cherries, currants, or blueberries - we wait for them all year long to enjoy their freshness and aromatic taste at the beginning of summer. It is no coincidence that July 1 is International Fruit Day. This is a great opportunity to promote their key role in everyday nutrition. We can eat fruit raw, but also as an excellent addition to baked goods and desserts. Learn about the health benefits of these gifts of nature and their use in confectionery.

What seasonal fruits do we have?

Fruits have been present in our diet for centuries. The summer season abounds in their greatest selection and abundance, and what is more, during this period we can obtain them from local suppliers and from our own garden. At the beginning of June, strawberries appear, then cherries, currants, sour cherries, blueberries and raspberries. In the first half of July, we can successfully find blueberries in the forest, and in the gardens gooseberries, apricots, peaches and blackberries. Early varieties of apples, e.g. paper apples, also ripen on the trees. August and mid-September are the height of the season for plums, pears, grapes and, of course, apples.

Why is it worth eating fruit?

The answer to this question is very simple – because they are tasty and healthy! Especially in the summer, we have access to various flavors of fruit, from very sweet to sour and bitter, and each of these gifts of nature brings with it a wealth of nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of the body. Fruits are a source of vitamins, primarily A, C and E, minerals (potassium, iron, manganese, copper), dietary fiber and antioxidants, also known as antioxidants. The latter support the work of the heart and circulatory system, thanks to which they reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer. The most of these substances are found in fruits with dark skin, such as blueberries, blackcurrants or bilberries. On the other hand, the richest in vitamin C are strawberries and all varieties of currants. It is worth noting that due to their nutritional properties, some of our Polish seasonal fruits are classified as so-called superfoods, i.e. exceptionally healthy, natural food. These include the aforementioned blackcurrants and blueberries, as well as plums. That is why nutritionists recommend eating 4-5 portions of fruit every day. They are a great snack between meals, a delicious dessert, and a component of main courses.

How to use fruit in cakes and desserts?

The fruit contains natural sugar – fructose, which is why they work so well as an ingredient in cakes and other desserts. They also stand out with their beautiful appearance, diverse colors and unique aroma, which in turn makes them great for decorating cakes, =>tart, cupcakes and all cold desserts. 

So how else can we use fruit to create sweets? Using natural fruit juices, we can easily make jellies and gummies, which we can then use to decorate cakes. We can also use juices to prepare ice cream desserts in the form of sorbets and granitas. On the other hand, whole fruits and pulps can be successfully used to fill baked goods such as croissants, doughnuts, cream puffs or puff pastries. We can also make fruit mousses, creams for tarts and cakes and exquisite => monodesserts.

It is also worth mentioning that when using fruit in the kitchen, it is good to know some of its properties, which may negatively affect the dessert being prepared. If we choose apples, pears or bananas for decoration, they will quickly start to darken due to the oxidation process. On the other hand, very juicy fruits release juice, which can then flow out of the cake or =>cake. Not all fruits are suitable for jelly – kiwi and pineapple make it harder for it to set.

Seasonal fruits in Jacek Placek's baked goods

=> Fruit cakes are a significant part of our confectionery assortment. We use fruit to make mousses, creams, fillings, jellies and of course for decoration. We use seasonal, local varieties as much as possible, because we want to provide our customers with products with the natural aroma and taste of fresh fruit. Our baked goods combine sweetness and refreshment!

Try our delicious apple pies, plum or cherry pancakes, => yogurt cakes with strawberries be with blackcurrant and celebrate International Fruit Day with us!