When life gets too overwhelming, sometimes all you need is a refreshing fruit bowl to lift your spirits. This is where Hwachae enters.
What is Hwachae?
Hwachae (화채) is a traditional Korean fruit bowl that features a mix of fruits in a sweet liquid. Oftentimes, this liquid base can be a fizzy drink or creamy milk. Depending on the available fruits in that season and personal preference, the fruit combinations can vary, making hwachae a versatile and custom-made treat.
Hwachae is as beautiful as it is delicious. It is the perfect pick-me-up for when you are feeling down and out. And the best part is, it is incredibly easy to make.
Let’s go over the easiest recipe you’ll ever need to prepare Hwachae.
Ingredients
To make a simple and delightful hwachae, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Watermelon (or any other melon) – about 2 cups, scooped into balls or cubed
- Pineapple – 1 cup, diced
- Strawberries – 1 cup, sliced
- Kiwifruit – 2, peeled and sliced
- Blueberries – 1/2 cup
- Grapes – 1 cup
- Carbonated water or Sprite – 2 cups (for a fizzy touch)
- Strawberry or whole milk – 2 cups (for a milky and creamy taste)
- Ice cubes
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Instructions:
1. Prepare the watermelon bowl: Cut the top off the watermelon and scoop out the flesh. Try to keep the watermelon juice while scooping. You can use a melon baller to create watermelon balls or simply cut them into small chunks.
2. Prepare the fruits: Wash all the fruits. Slice the strawberries, peel and slice the kiwi, and halve the grapes.
3. Mix the fruits: In the watermelon bowl, combine the watermelon chunks, sliced strawberries, kiwi, grapes, and pineapple chunks.
4. Sweeten the punch: In a separate bowl, mix the watermelon juice with sugar until the sugar is fully dissolved. Pour this sweetened juice over the mixed fruits in the watermelon bowl.
5. Add the fizzy drink or strawberry milk: Now, pour your choice of fizzy drink or strawberry milk over the fruits. The amount depends on your preference, but usually, half of the watermelon bowl is a good measure.
6. Chill and serve: Add some ice cubes to your fruit bowl, five it a good stir and serve. In the absence of ice cubes, allow the hwachae to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This will allow it to get cool and let the flavours blend together before serving.
Tips to get the perfect hwachae
Fruit: Use any seasonal fruit you have on hand. Feel free to use apples, raspberries, pears, cantaloupe, honeydew, pomegranate seeds, banana, or dragon fruit, can be great additions.
Fizzy drink: While we made mention of Sprite, you can substitute it with 7up, Lemon Lime, ginger ale, or any sparkling lemon beverage.
Adjust sweetness: Make sure to taste your hwachae before it is refrigerated and adjust the sweetness by adding more honey or sugar if needed.
Presentation: For an exquisite presentation, serve hwachae in clear glasses or a large punch bowl to showcase the colours of the fruits.
