Today, the traditional fruit basket is slowly being overtaken by the new fruit bouquet. It is very nutritious in content and is also a treat for both the eyes and taste buds! They are usually made by professionals and are available for sale at the stores, although they can be heavy on your pockets. But fear not, because they can also be made at home. They are eye candies at any party and are also delicious finger foods.

They can be included in party menus or in just about anything to spice things up. The first thing you need to do is to prepare the ingredients needed to make the fruit bouquet. You need fresh fruits like whole pineapples, cantaloupes, melon and strawberries. You also need a bunch or two of red and green grapes. Bamboo skewers, cutting board, cookie cutters, knives, peeler, melon baller, a vase or pail and florists foam will also be used.

After cleaning the vase or pail, florist’s foam is placed on the bottom of the clean container. Just enough foam should be placed in the container to serve as support for the bouquet, but should not be in excess such that it is seen over the rim. Rinse the fruits and peel off their skin as needed. Remove seeds and the parts that are not edible.

Slice the pineapples into one-inch thick pieces using a horizontal manner of cutting. Make sure that you remove all the rinds. Then, take a cookie cutter and press it onto the pineapple slice to produce a shape. Select and create as many different shapes as you fancy for your fruit bouquet.

The melons and cantaloupes should be cut in half. Using a melon baller to make balls out of the fleshy parts of the fruit will do the trick. Next, get a bamboo skewer and arrange the different fruit pieces together on the stick. Use your creativity to mix and match.

Put a strawberry or whole pineapple slice on top of each bamboo skewer. Repeat until all fruit pieces are skewered. Then, carefully arrange the bamboo skewers onto the florists foam and create a bouquet. Parsley or mint leaves can be used to cover the florists foam at the bottom. For best freshness and taste display and consume the fruit bouquet within 48 hours after it is made.

Paul Jones has been in the field of fruit bouquets for a long time and maintains a website about fruit platters where you can get answers to the rest of your questions.