Using Fruit

Learn how using fruit benefits your business and your customers' health

Many food vendors and restaurants are using fruit in attempt to be more health conscious about the items that they serve. Fast food chains as well as elaborate restaurants are adding more fruits and vegetables to their menus. Using fruit in your food recipes is simple, exciting, and healthy. Customers appreciate healthier options when eating out.

When most people think of fruit farming, they think of fruit trees. Gift companies provide fruit basket gift options, but one can do more than eat fruit straight from the orchard. Fruits add flavor to many tasty recipes. Tropical fruit always adds a tasteful twist to a dish. Chefs add fruit to main dishes, drinks, as well as desserts. The vast variety of fruit available leaves endless possibilities in cooking. Think about the following:

1. Which type of fruit is most readily available to you?

2. Which fruit do you use the most in your recipes?

3. How can you use fruit to make your dishes more exciting to customers?

 

Use fruit in main dishes that you serve

One typically thinks of fruit as a sweet additive for desserts. However, chicken, steak, and ham are delicious with a grilled slice of pineapple. Spritzes of lemon and other citrus add taste to chicken, fish, and seafood. Slice a fresh or canned pineapple and throw it on the grill minutes before your steak or chicken is ready. Lay the meat on a bed of rice and add the pineapple on top. Your plate will look delicious. During the grilling process squeeze a lemon or even an orange over your fish, shrimp, or chicken. A little flavor additive goes a long way.
Try: Learn the benefits of eating and serving fruits from Fruits and Veggies Matter. Discover how eating fruits creates a healthier and trimmer lifestyle at Weight Loss for All.

Create a fruit basket as a token of appreciation or concern

Fruit comes in a variety of colors and sizes. Therefore when mixed together, fruit is very eye appealing. If you own a gift shop, add fruit baskets to your gift options. If you own a hotel, leave a fruit basket in the room of your guest as a way to say thank-you for the stay. They also make wonderful company gifts for employees and customers. Simply select a basket and begin to fill it with fruit. Be certain to choose fruit of all colors and sizes. Fruits that work best are various colors of apples, oranges, bananas, pineapples, grapes, and pears. Cover your basket with cellophane and add a festive bow.
Try: Learn more about making fruit baskets from Party Food and Essortment.

Create fruit smoothies and specialty drinks

Customers always welcome fruity drinks in the summer. Add fresh strawberries, banana slices, pineapple chunks or juice, and shredded coconut or juice to give your drinks a freshening taste. While parents may enjoy a pineapple or strawberry in their mixed drink, the children will love a twist of cherry added to their coke. After adding cherry flavoring, allow a fresh cherry to bob around freely in the drink.
Try: OOHOI lists the benefits of eating fruits. My Pyramid also details health benefits from eating fruits. Both give great information about fruit.

 

• When using fruit at your restaurant it is important to be aware of recalls and warnings. Many fresh fruits and vegetables have been subject to carrying health hazards. Any time that a warning comes out about a fruit you serve, take it out of your inventory immediately.
• If you operate a franchise for a fast food chain, offer customers apple slices as a replacement for fries.

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