Jellies and Compotes

Jellies and compotes are an easy and delicious way to enhance and complement a myriad of dishes, from savory to sweet. A smoky roast with a dollop of sweet strawberry jelly can make the meat sing with contrast. Preserves come in a variety of flavors and combination, one of the most popular ones is when fruit and peppers are combined for a sweet-spicy heat, making the result a riot of flavors and more exciting dishes. Because jellies and compotes are sweet, adding a spicy ingredient makes the contrast interesting. The difference between jellies and other preserves is that in a jelly, the fruit is crushed then cooked and the juice extracted. The result is strained with a very fine strainer to that no solids remain, making it clear and shiny. Sometime jellies are mixed with pectin, which makes them more solid, but in general jellies are more solid than jams or compotes, which have a runnier consistency. With a gem-like gleam, we love jellies that are mixed with unique ingredients like espellete pepper or rose petals. Compotes are made with fruit slowly cooked in sugar syrup, sometimes mixed with other ingredients like spices or liquor. This type of fruit sauce (according to the Culinary Institute of America) has to be chunky, otherwise it’s considered a coulis. We love compotes in both savory and sweet applications, whether drizzled over pancakes or waffles, or dolloped over foie gras, chicken, duck breast or meat roasts. No matter what type of jelly or compote you’re looking for, you’ll find a wide variety available online at Gourmet Wholesaler. We take pride in sourcing the finest ingredients, seeking to go beyond the plain and bland and always looking for unique and interesting products that will make your recipes sing with flavor, and will enhance your menu. We offer great selection, great value and amazing customer service to help you out.