5 Canned Fruits You Actually Need In Your Pantry

Canned peaches help you enjoy summer year-round

A ripe peach is a heavenly, albeit seasonal, delight. While fresh peaches can be found in grocery stores throughout the year, they truly shine during the summer months. This fuzzy stone fruit is sweet, juicy, and wonderfully tender. While nothing can truly replace the experience of fresh peaches, it’s important not to overlook their canned versions. When it comes to preservation, peaches are among the top choices available. A peach in winter may have a grainy texture and lackluster flavor, which is far from ideal.

In contrast, canned peaches offer a reliable taste all year long and are often celebrated for their consistently sweet and delightful flavor. With canned fruit, you can expect minimal variation in taste and texture, ensuring that every bite is just as sweet as the last. A 2012 study published in the Journal of the Science of Food found that canned peaches can be more nutritionally rich than fresh ones in certain aspects, boasting higher levels of vitamin C and folate.

Canned peaches are also excellent for a variety of recipes. Incorporating them into a peach cobbler can save you preparation time without sacrificing flavor. You can pair canned peaches with pork chops for a deliciously sweet and savory meal, or simply drain and slice them to enhance a refreshing arugula and goat cheese salad.

Canned pineapple is the secret to a perfect bake

While fresh pineapple has gained popularity in recent years, canned pineapple remains a favorite for good reasons. Fresh pineapple can be tricky to prepare, as it involves peeling away its tough, spiky skin and removing the core. In contrast, canned pineapple is ready to use without any hassle, offering a sweet, fresh flavor and a tender yet firm texture.

Convenience isn't the only benefit of canned pineapple; it also excels in baking. The reason? It has lower levels of bromelain enzymes compared to fresh pineapple. Bromelain can break down proteins, which can be problematic in dishes like Jell-O salads or cakes, preventing them from setting properly and resulting in a mushy texture. So, when making a pineapple upside-down cake, it's best to opt for canned pineapple instead of cutting your own.

Moreover, you don't have to limit your use of canned pineapple to baked treats. Canned pineapple holds its shape well during preservation, making it a suitable substitute for fresh pineapple in various recipes. For instance, canned pineapple rings make an excellent topping for burgers or a delicious filling for a classic Southern pineapple and mayo sandwich.

Canned lychees are perfect for cocktails and snacking

You can typically find fresh or canned lychees at international grocery stores or occasionally in specialty markets. This fruit boasts a distinct, floral, and sweet flavor that makes it utterly irresistible.

In recent years, canned lychees have become a popular ingredient in cocktails. Lychee martinis, for instance, combine the fruit's delicate flavors with vodka and dry vermouth. For this cocktail, only canned lychee fruit is suitable, as it comes perfectly peeled, pitted, and immersed in a delicious syrup that enhances the drink.

Moreover, canned lychees are not just ideal for mixology; they also serve as a convenient and tasty snack. With the skin and pit removed, they are much easier to enjoy, especially if you want to indulge in more than just a few. You can savor them straight from the can or incorporate them into dishes like a refreshing dessert soup or a vibrant fruit salad.

Get crafty with canned cherries

Similar to peaches, cherries are a stone fruit that undeniably (and clearly) have a peak freshness period. Fresh cherries enjoyed during their season, from late spring to mid-summer, offer a delightful balance of sweetness and tartness, with a juiciness that exceeds their small size. However, like peaches, cherries that are out of season can be disappointing. Fortunately, there is a wide range of canned cherry varieties available, from black to sour, so you’re likely to find one that suits your preferences.

Canned cherries are excellent for a variety of baked goods. Dark sweet cherries make an ideal filling for pies or a tasty topping for cheesecakes, as they are generally sweeter than their fresh versions. Additionally, canned cherries come pre-pitted, simplifying your baking endeavors. The syrup or juice they are packed in can also enhance cocktails, such as the classic old fashioned. You can even change your canned cherry variety depending on your mood; for instance, using a tart cherry in a Manhattan can provide an exciting twist on the drink.

Canned mandarin oranges make for a delicious snack or salad topper

Oranges are typically available ripe and in abundance at most grocery stores throughout the year. In addition to their delicious flavor, these fruits are usually quite affordable. So, why should you consider purchasing canned mandarin oranges? The answer is simple: they are delightful. Canned mandarins are preserved in syrup or juice, which enhances their taste, and they can contain higher levels of vitamin C compared to their freshly peeled counterparts. However, mandarins packed in light syrup may have lower vitamin C content, and it's essential to remember that processed fruits and vegetables can lose some nutritional value. Be sure to check the nutritional labels to ensure your mandarins meet your standards.

Regardless of their vitamin content, canned mandarins make for a fantastic and convenient snack. They are free from the white, bitter pith that can accompany fresh oranges. While this pith may not be bothersome when enjoying a clementine as a snack, it can be less desirable in certain recipes, such as ambrosia salad or yogurt parfaits, which benefit from a smoother fruit texture. Imagine the deliciousness of adding canned mandarin oranges to a creamy chicken salad; they can introduce a burst of juiciness to the dish that might otherwise be missing. So, if you're looking to add oranges to your recipes, consider reaching for a can of mandarin oranges. Their flavor, convenience, and pre-peeled nature make them a worthy addition to your pantry.