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In the world of baking and professional cooking, sugar has traditionally reigned supreme. However, times are changing, and consumer demands are evolving at a breakneck pace. One question many professionals and customers are asking themselves today is: is it possible to achieve sugar-free fruit that maintain the quality, texture, and flavor necessary for haute cuisine?
The answer is a resounding yes. At Lazaya, we’ve spent decades innovating to offer solutions that allow professionals to create exquisite and, at the same time, healthy dishes. Stay with us because in the following lines you’ll discover how to enjoy sugar-free fruits all year round to surprise your customers.
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Sugar-free fruit all year round
One of the biggest challenges for any Horeca establishment is the seasonality of the ingredients it uses. Fresh fruit is delicious, but we know its shelf life is short and its availability fluctuates with the seasons. Furthermore, when looking for low-sugar options in fresh fruit, we often encounter limitations in terms of variety or ripeness.
This is where preserved fruit becomes an essential resource that every professional should have. Thanks to modern preservation techniques, we can now offer fruit without added sugar year-round. This ensures that any establishment’s dessert menu, savory dishes, or pastry selection isn’t dependent on the season, maintaining a consistent standard of quality.
Characteristics of professional quality sugar-free fruits
We must keep in mind that when we talk about sugar-free fruit, we don’t mean bland fruit. On the contrary, the goal is to replicate the sensory experience of both traditional candied fruit or fruit in syrup, and obtain a fruit that retains the organoleptic properties of each variety. Let’s look at the most important aspects to consider with sugar-free fruit.
Smart sweetener substitution
To obtain sugar-free fruit all year round, traditional sugar is usually replaced by high-quality sweeteners that do not contribute to a glycemic load or empty calories, but maintain the sweetness necessary to balance the natural acidity of the fruit.
Maintaining the structure and color
Many people think that when sugar is removed, fruit loses its properties. However, this is not the case, as the fruit undergoes very rigorous processes that achieve the following:
- Natural taste and texture: very similar to fresh fruit.
- Low calorie content: ideal for lighter preparations.
- Versatility: they adapt to sweet and savory recipes.
- Long shelf life: they do not need refrigeration until the package is opened.
- Excellent performance: they facilitate all processes in the kitchen.
In the case of Lazaya, the sugar-free preserved fruits stand out for:
- Superior quality: We select fruits of the highest quality and always at their optimal point of ripeness.
- Natural process: The fruit is preserved without artificial additives or added sugars.
- Preserved texture: The fruits maintain the ideal consistency for all types of professional preparations.
- Constant availability: The professional has the opportunity to access seasonal fruits without sugar throughout the year.
- Full traceability: We preserve our fruits under exhaustive control from fruit selection to final packaging.
Why are they in such high demand today?
We live in a time when consumers are looking for healthier options without sacrificing flavor. The demand for sugar-free or no-added-sugar products has gone from being a niche market to a requirement for a large number of customers. Let’s look at some of the reasons why customers demand these types of fruits.
- Greater health awareness: Today, consumers are much better informed about the effects of excess sugar and are opting for healthier products. The “healthy” trend is not a passing fad; it’s here to stay, and professionals need to be prepared.
- Dietary needs: More and more people with various health conditions, or who follow specific diets (diabetic, low-sugar, fitness, etc.), want to continue enjoying their favorite desserts. Hence the importance of making sugar-free fruit products.
- Regulations and labeling: Pressure to include warning labels on packaging is driving the industry to seek ingredients with less sugar. Therefore, for a professional, offering a sugar-free option is essential to avoid losing a significant customer segment.
Main uses of sugar-free fruits in Horeca establishments
Sugar-free preserved fruits are incredibly versatile and an essential ingredient in any chef’s or baker’s kitchen. Let’s look at their main uses:
Pastry and confectionery
Professional pastry chefs find these fruits to be the perfect ingredient for:
- Cakes and pastries: It offers them total control over the sweetness level.
- Mousses and creams: intense flavors without sugary interference.
- Decorations: They are pieces of fruit with a natural appearance and authentic flavor.
- Fillings: perfect textures that do not alter the structure of the doughs.
Modern restoration
Chefs use unsweetened fruits for:
- Sophisticated side dishes: Fruits enhance many savory dishes.
- Sweet and sour sauces: They are the perfect base for balanced preparations.
- Gourmet salads: fruity notes without excessive sweetness.
- Cutting-edge dishes: limitless creativity in signature cuisine.
Artisanal ice cream shop
Unsweetened preserved fruit is ideal for creating toppings or inclusions in ice cream and creamy yogurts. Because it doesn’t crystallize like frozen fresh fruit, it offers a much smoother and more pleasant mouthfeel in various products.
- Premium ice creams: Fruits provide pure and intense flavors.
- Natural sorbets: Creamy textures with authentic fruit.
- Variegatos: perfect additions that don’t crystallize.
- Decorations: pieces of fruit that maintain their integrity.
Cocktails and buffets
Surprising guests with a cocktail decorated with a sugar-free amarena cherry or including light syrup fruits in a breakfast buffet allows hotels and restaurants to elevate their gastronomic offering while taking care of the health of their guests.
Restaurant and catering
Chefs use unsweetened fruits to create sauces, side dishes, and fusion dishes, combining sweet and savory flavors in a balanced way. Furthermore, their stability makes them perfect for high-volume service without compromising quality or appearance.
Surprise your customers with Lazaya’s catalogue of sugar-free fruits
If you’re a professional looking to stand out from the competition, the key lies in the ingredients. You don’t have to sacrifice flavor to offer healthy products. Lazaya Preserved Fruit has over 80 years of experience in the preserved fruit market. We have designed a catalogue of sugar-free products that include candied fruits, fruits in syrup, jams and gels.
Although these products are especially sweet, current technology allows us to make delicious sugar-free fruit that even the most discerning palates can enjoy. And the best part is that they never lose their texture, color, or juiciness, so professionals can use these fruits to make all kinds of pastries or as an accompaniment to savory dishes.
We invite you to visit our website and explore our different categories of sugar-free preserved fruits. Each product in our catalogue represents an opportunity to surprise your customers with authentic flavors and innovative preparations. Are you ready to take the leap and elevate your professional creations to the next level? Contact us, we would be happy to help you.
