Fruit Platter Arranging

A beautifully presented platter of fresh fruit looks just as good as it tastes! With a wide variety of vibrant colours, a mix of unique shapes and sizes and an array of flavours this carefully arranged platter will have you reaching for more.

You can use any seasonal fruit for your platter arrangement.

Fruit Suggestions:

• Pineapple
• Melon (Watermelon, Honey Dew melon, Rock melon/Cantaloupe)
• Pawpaw or Papaya
• Mango
• Grapes
• Orange
• Kiwifruit (red, green, gold)
• Fresh berries and Cherries
• Passionfruit
• Dragon fruit
• Starfruit
• Lychee
• Mandarin
• Apples, soaked in salt water to stop browning
• Edible flowers or fresh herbs for garnishing

Any fruit, like banana that goes brown quickly is best avoided unless you add it just before the platter is to be eaten.

Tips for putting your platter together:

Start with the foundation, fill in the gaps and finish with a garnish

• Think about the variety of fruit you’re using and how it will be eaten.
  For fruits like kiwifruit, pineapple, and oranges, the skin isn’t pleasant to eat - it's either too tough, bitter, or stringy - so it’s best to peel them before slicing. For fruits such as watermelon, you have the option to leave the skin on, which provides a handy grip and adds a touch of colour, or remove it for a cleaner look. In this case, let presentation guide your choice - would that hint of green from the skin enhance your platter?
• You might like to thinly slice the bigger items like pineapples, melons. This makes it easier to pick up and allows you to fan it out for added visual effect. 
• Is your presentation going to be abstract or will you go for a symmetrical look? Choose a style and stick with it as you assemble your creation.
• Start with the bigger fruit first and keep the pieces in the same order they were cut. It naturally flows on and looks better. 
• Mix up the colours - e.g. It will look better if you don't have all the orange fruit side by side.
• Once you have the foundation for your design, keep adding the fruit from the biggest to the smallest, filling in the gaps.
• Remember - an odd number of items looks more pleasing to the eye, so layer slices in 3's or 5's, unless you have a big line of the same fruit.
• Fan out the fruit - it makes the platter look fuller.
• Slice the fruit evenly to keep it looking tidy and professional.
• If you're adding grapes, remember to hide the stalks as much as possible. Carefully arrange a bundle and then put it on. If it's a platter for children, cut the bunch into smaller bundles to avoid them walking away with the whole lot! 
• Fill in any gaps with smaller fruit like fresh berries.
• Don't forget to finish off the platter with a garnish - this can be fruit (like blueberries) or even a herb garnish/edible flowers.