Food - Drink
The Trick To Use For Sweetening Up A Bitter Batch Of Berries
By CLARICE KNELLY
There are few things as disappointing as a fresh carton of in-season berries that turn out to be lip-puckeringly bitter. Before you toss them, try this technique to sweeten them.
Macerating is a process of letting fruit soak in sugar or a flavored liquid to make it softer and sweeter. The liquid can either be a small amount of fruit juice or liquor.
Liquor with a floral or herbal profile works best. Finish the macerating solution by adding two parts sugar, honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup to one part liquid.
You can also add a splash of balsamic vinegar, a squirt of lemon juice, or a sprinkle of a few herbs or spices to add a complex layer of flavor to your fruit.
The berries can soak at room temperature for at least a couple of hours, but leaving them in the fridge overnight may be the most convenient and thorough option.
Once they are ready, you can add the macerated berries to a fruit salad, enjoy them in cocktails, or drizzle them over ice cream for a fun seasonal treat.