April's Flavour of the Month: Berries

Posted: 01 Apr 2025

Berries blog – Keylink WP

A Berry Sweet Summer

Nothing says British summertime like a punnet of berries. A versatile fruit with many uses, they’re a staple of chocolate, bakery, cheffing and confectionery. From raspberry to blueberry and strawberry to blackcurrant, there’s something for everyone. Read on for our favourite berry products, recipes and flavour pairings.

What Makes Berries So Popular?

With demand for natural, healthful ingredients only growing, berries with their natural sweetness and variety of fruity flavours are a perfect choice. Coming in a rainbow of colours and boasting a whole host of health benefits, they’re the ideal way to flavour and colour your ganache, buttercream, sponge, sauce, and so much more.

Our berry products range from flavouring oils and compounds to freeze-dried and spray-dried fruits, purées, fillings and topping sauces. And if you’re looking for something intensely flavoured and easy to work with, Valrhona’s Inspiration range of fruit couvertures is absolutely perfect. Made from real fruit, cocoa butter and sugar, with no added colours or flavours, they can be used exactly like a chocolate couverture, whilst giving the vibrant hue and bold, fruity flavour of either strawberry or raspberry.

In need of inspiration? Take a look at our blog posts for some fantastic tips on making the best use of our berry products:

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Which Flavours Pair Best with Berries?

While there are no right or wrong answers with flavour pairings, it certainly helps to have some guidance on where to start!

Strawberry

Sweet with a slight tang, strawberries are a British summer classic and pair best with high fat products such as cream or white and milk chocolate.

Raspberry

A tangy, sweet and mildly sour berry, raspberry pairs incredibly well with lots of other fruits. Apricot, citrus fruits and rhubarb are just a few favourites of ours.

Blueberry

Blueberries have a mild flavour, which is very refreshing! We recommend pairing with vanilla, lemon or white chocolate for superb results.

Cranberry

With a bright, tart flavour, cranberries are a Christmas staple and play exceptionally well with spices such as cinnamon and cardamom.

Blackberry

Sweet and slightly tart with a juicy texture, blackberries are at their most delicious when fully ripe. They taste great paired with citrus fruits, apple, rhubarb, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and star anise.

Blackcurrant

Rich and tart, with a hint of earthiness, blackcurrants are the kings of the English hedgerow. Pair them with apples, pears, mint or dark chocolate for a delicious combination.

Elderberry

Elderberries are tart, floral and slightly bitter, mellowing as they’re cooked. They pair perfectly with ginger, mint, rose, blackberries, blueberries, and even vanilla.