Save Guava Cheese, often referred to as 'Perad' in Goan households, is a luscious tropical confection that captures the vibrant essence of ripe fruit. This jewel-toned sweet treat balances the natural muskiness of guava with a delicate tang from fresh lime, resulting in a fragrant, fudge-like candy that is a staple of Indian festive celebrations. With its deep ruby or golden hue and a texture that is both chewy and soft, it is a sophisticated alternative to traditional fruit preserves.
Save The process of making Guava Cheese is a labor of love that requires patience and steady stirring. As the guava puree simmers with sugar and butter, it undergoes a beautiful transformation—thickening into a glossy mass that eventually pulls away from the sides of the pan. This traditional cooking method ensures that the sugars caramelize slightly, enhancing the fruit's natural sweetness and creating that iconic chewy consistency.
Ingredients
- Fruit Base: 800 g (about 4 cups) ripe guava (pink or white), peeled, deseeded, and chopped; 1/2 cup water
- Sugar & Flavor: 450 g (2 1/4 cups) granulated sugar; 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- Enrichment: 2 tbsp unsalted butter (plus extra for greasing)
- Coating (Optional): 1/4 cup superfine sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prep the Pan
- Prepare a square baking pan (8x8 inches) by greasing it with butter and lining with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2: Soften the Fruit
- Place guava and water in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until the fruit is soft (about 15 minutes).
- Step 3: Puree and Sieve
- Puree the cooked guava using a blender or food processor until smooth. Pass the mixture through a fine sieve to remove any remaining seeds or fibers.
- Step 4: Measure Puree
- Measure out exactly 2 cups of the smooth guava puree and return it to a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
- Step 5: Combine Ingredients
- Add the granulated sugar and lime juice to the puree. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula.
- Step 6: Cook Until Thick
- When the mixture thickens noticeably and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan (about 30–40 minutes), add the butter. Continue stirring until the mixture is glossy, very thick, and holds its shape in a mass.
- Step 7: Set the Mixture
- Immediately transfer the hot mixture to the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Step 8: Cool
- Allow the guava cheese to cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour to set properly.
- Step 9: Slice
- Once set, lift the block out using the parchment paper. Cut into squares or diamonds using a greased knife.
- Step 10: Finishing Touch
- If desired, roll the individual pieces in superfine sugar to coat.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Using a heavy-bottomed saucepan is essential to prevent the fruit puree from scorching during the long cooking process. For the best results, you can adjust the texture of the Guava Cheese based on your preference: cook the mixture for a few extra minutes for a firmer, candy-like square, or reduce the cooking time slightly if you prefer a softer fruit pâte. Always use a fine mesh sieve to ensure the final product is perfectly smooth and free of gritty guava seeds.
Varianten und Anpassungen
The amount of sugar can be adjusted slightly to taste depending on the natural sweetness of your guavas. While this recipe contains dairy from the butter, you can easily create a dairy-free or vegan version by substituting the unsalted butter with vegan butter. If you cannot find superfine sugar for the coating, you can quickly pulse regular granulated sugar in a blender for a similar effect.
Serviervorschläge
Guava Cheese is traditionally served alongside a warm cup of tea or as part of a festive dessert platter. It also pairs beautifully with soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert, making it a unique addition to a charcuterie or cheese board. Store the pieces in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks to maintain their freshness.
Save Each delicious piece of this Guava Cheese contains approximately 55 calories, 0.8g of fat, and 12g of carbohydrates. This gluten-free treat is a wonderful way to enjoy the flavors of the tropics in a bite-sized format. Just remember that it contains dairy (butter) unless you opt for a vegan alternative.
Recipe FAQ
- → What is guava cheese?
Guava cheese is a traditional Goan confection made by cooking ripe guava puree with sugar, lime juice, and butter until it thickens into a firm, jewel-toned sweet. Despite its name, it's actually a dense fruit fudge rather than a dairy cheese.
- → How do I know when the mixture is ready?
The mixture is ready when it thickens noticeably, begins to pull away from the sides of the pan, and forms a glossy mass that holds its shape. This typically takes 30-40 minutes of constant stirring over medium heat.
- → Can I use different types of guava?
Yes, both pink and white guava varieties work well. Pink guava yields a more vibrant ruby color, while white guava produces a lighter amber hue. Both provide delicious flavor and natural pectin for proper setting.
- → How should I store guava cheese?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. The pieces can also be dusted with superfine sugar to prevent sticking and add a delicate sweet coating. Avoid refrigeration as it can alter the texture.
- → What can I serve with guava cheese?
Guava cheese pairs beautifully with soft cheeses like cream cheese or brie, making it an elegant addition to dessert platters. It's also traditionally served with afternoon tea or coffee as a sweet confection to balance the beverage's bitterness.
- → Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, simply substitute regular butter with vegan butter for a dairy-free version. The texture and setting properties remain excellent, making this suitable for those avoiding dairy while maintaining the authentic flavor profile.