Gyümölcsleves (Hungarian Fruit Soup)
A refreshing and vibrant cold soup made with a medley of seasonal fruits, often served as a starter or dessert. It balances sweet and tart flavors with a hint of spice, making it a perfect dish for warm weather.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Mixed fresh or frozen fruit (e.g., sour cherries, strawberries, apricots, plums, apples, peaches)
- 1 liter Water
- 150 g Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1-2 tablespoons Vanilla sugar or vanilla extract
- 3-4 Whole cloves
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon Lemon zest (optional)
- 1 pinch Pinch of salt
- 200 ml Sour cream or heavy cream
- 2-3 tablespoons Flour (for thickening, optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, mixed fruit, sugar, vanilla sugar (or extract), cloves, cinnamon stick, lemon zest (if using), and a pinch of salt in a large pot.
💡 Tip: Using a mix of tart and sweet fruits provides the best flavor balance. - 2
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the fruit is tender but not mushy.
- 3
In a small bowl, whisk the flour into the sour cream or heavy cream until smooth. This step is optional for thickening.
💡 Tip: Whisking the flour into the cream prevents lumps. - 4
Temper the cream mixture by adding a ladleful of the hot soup to it, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Then, slowly stir the tempered mixture back into the soup.
💡 Tip: Tempering ensures the cream incorporates smoothly into the hot soup. - 5
Bring the soup back to a gentle simmer and cook for another 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove the pot from the heat and discard the whole spices (cloves and cinnamon stick).
- 6
Cool the soup to room temperature, then transfer it to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Adjust the sugar based on the sweetness of your fruit.
- ✓For a lighter version, you can omit the flour and use less cream.
- ✓This soup can be made a day in advance; the flavors meld beautifully overnight.
🔄 Variations
- Use a single type of fruit for a more focused flavor profile (e.g., sour cherry or plum soup).
- Add a splash of dessert wine for a more complex flavor.
- Serve with a dollop of plain yogurt or a swirl of heavy cream.