Spoon sweets facts for kids
Spoon sweet sour cherry
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| Type | Jam or preserve |
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| Place of origin | Greece, Albania, Kosovo, Balkans, Middle East |
| Main ingredients | Fruit, sugar |
Spoon sweets are sweet fruit preserves, a bit like jam but often with whole pieces of fruit. They are served on a spoon as a friendly welcome to guests in countries like Albania, Greece, Kosovo, Cyprus, and other parts of the Balkans and Middle East. These treats can be made from almost any fruit. Sour or slightly bitter fruits are often chosen. Some spoon sweets are even made without fruit at all!
Many different fruits are used to make these sweets. You might find them made from grapes, mulberries, bergamot, apricots, apples, pears, and different kinds of cherries. Citrus fruits like oranges, kumquats, lemons, grapefruit, and tangerines are also popular. Other options include pomegranates, quinces, and figs. Even soft fruits like melon or watermelon can be used, though it's tricky to keep them firm.
Beyond fruits, spoon sweets can be made from unripe walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, and other nuts. Some are even made from flower petals, like rose petals. Parts of fruits that we usually don't eat, such as citrus peels or blossoms, can also become delicious spoon sweets. Even some vegetables, like baby eggplants or cherry tomatoes, can be turned into these sweet treats! A well-made spoon sweet should keep the fruit's original shape, color, smell, and taste.
Spoon sweets are usually offered to guests on a small porcelain or crystal glass dish. They are often served with coffee or tea and a glass of cold water. Most of the time, people make them at home. But today, you can also find them easily in supermarkets. These store-bought versions might use glucose syrup instead of sugar to save on cost and make them easier to prepare.
You can also use spoon sweets in other ways. They make a great topping for ice cream or yogurt. Some people even spread them on toast for breakfast, like a Western-style jam. Spoon sweets are also commonly eaten by themselves or with cheese.
Spoon Sweets in Greece and Cyprus
Spoon sweets (called glykó tou koutalioú, which means 'sweet of the spoon') are very popular in Greece and Cyprus. They are usually served with Greek coffee and a glass of cold water. Most are made from whole fruits, but some are made from pieces or purees (mashed fruit).
One special Greek spoon sweet is called vaníllia (βανίλια). It's snow-white and smells wonderful, but it's not made from vanilla! Instead, it's made from mastic resin, which comes from a tree found on the Aegean island of Chios. This sweet is often served by dropping a spoonful into a tall glass of ice-cold water. People often call it "βανίλια υποβρύχιο," which means "vanilla submarine." It's a thick, white, sweet paste made by mixing mastic resin with sugar. When it's cold, it feels like hard caramel candy. You can lick it like a lollipop, and as it gets warmer from your body heat, it becomes softer and easier to chew. Greeks who moved to other countries, even as far as Japan, shared this treat.
Making these whole fruit preserves takes time and care. The fruit is slowly and gently boiled in water and sugar for many hours, sometimes even over several days, until the syrup becomes thick. People say that to make good spoon sweets, you need "patience and a heavy pot." A little lemon juice is often added to help the fruit keep its original color, as the citric acid stops it from turning brown. Sometimes, blanched almonds (sliced or whole) are added for a nice crunch, especially with baby eggplants, apples, or grapes.
During the boiling process, other ingredients might be added for flavor, then removed later. These can include a stick of cinnamon, a bunch of mint, or the fragrant green leaves of a plant called Pelargonium odoratissimum (apple geranium) or Pelargonium graveolens (rose geranium). These leaves add a slight tangy taste and a light smell, a bit like frankincense. They are very popular in the Ionian islands. The way spoon sweets are made is similar to how marmalade is made, but with spoon sweets, the fruit pieces stay firm and whole. A well-made spoon sweet should be a bit chewy.
Spoon Sweets in Albania and Kosovo
Spoon sweets (called Reçel) are very common in Albanian cooking. They are usually eaten with xhezve coffee, helping to balance out the coffee's bitter taste. Some popular types of Reçel include plum (Reçel i kumbullave), quince (Reçel i ftoit), apple (Reçel i mollave), orange (Reçel i portokallit), and grape (Reçel i rrushit). There's also a pumpkin spoon sweet with nuts (Reçel i kungullit me arra).
These sweets are usually made at home and stored in old jars. They are kept ready to be served to guests and family members, especially during special holidays and celebrations.
