Home \(\blacktriangleright\) Children and Youth Unit \(\blacktriangleright\) Arrows Website \(\blacktriangleright\) French Cuisine \(\blacktriangleright\) Activity 2: Fruit Sorbet
Activity 2: Fruit Sorbet
In this activity, we will dive into a refreshing fruit dessert identified with French cuisine and other European cuisines – the sorbet.
We will learn how to make a delicious sorbet based on frozen fruits, and understand the scientific concept behind the freezing process.
The activity (by Dr. Galit Botzer) combines learning about the origins of the dish (which likely comes from China but was adopted and improved in Europe), along with developing mathematical skills of measurement and estimation.
The Activity
Instructions for Parents
During the activity, children can be guided toward scientific concepts as well as developing mathematical skills.
Freezing is the reverse process of melting. In this process, a liquid becomes a solid as a result of cooling. Cooling the fruits causes the freezing of the water, which is a main component of the fruit.
The temperature in the freezer is about -18°C, and after a few hours, the fruits freeze – the water in them becomes a solid – ice.
When the fruits are taken out of the freezer, they warm up to room temperature, and the water inside them gradually becomes a liquid.
Why is it recommended to cut into small cubes?
The melting of the water begins on the outside, where the temperature is higher.
In the inner part of the fruit cube, the temperature is low, so the water will remain in a solid state.
The smaller the cube, the larger the surface area, and therefore the rate of melting will increase.
💡Fun Math Time
The preparation can be used for mathematical practice:
- Measuring quantities.
\(\space\) - Estimation: How many cups are \({\large\frac{1}{8}}\)kg of fruit cubes,
what happens if we cut into larger / smaller pieces?
\(\space\) - Performing calculations related to dividing into serving dishes.
Fruit Sorbet
Ingredients:
\({\large\frac{1}{2}}\) kg fruits – net weight, without peel or pits
\({\large\frac{1}{2}}\) cup sugar
\({\large\frac{1}{2}}\) cup liquid: coconut milk, orange juice, heavy cream, liquid yogurt
Preparation:
- Wash the fruits, peel, and remove pits or seeds.
\(\space\) - Cut the fruits into cubes 3 centimeters in size.
Place in a bag and freeze.
\(\space\)
It is preferable to wait 24 hours so that the fruits are completely frozen, but there are freezers in which a few hours are sufficient, or when in a hurry, they can be cut into smaller pieces to speed up the freezing process.
\(\space\) - Once the fruits have frozen, take them out of the freezer and thaw for about a quarter of an hour, until they can be separated back into cubes.
\(\space\) - Place into a food processor along with the sugar and the chosen liquid, and process for about 5 minutes until an ice cream texture is obtained.
\(\space\) - It can be served immediately, or frozen – preferably in individual containers to make serving easier – and taken out of the freezer a quarter of an hour before serving.