7 Steps to Building a Stunning Fruit Tray
The fruit tray (not to be confused with a charcuterie board or cheese plate) brings beauty, surprise, and freshness to the table. Fruit trays work for every occasion: weekend brunch, dinner parties and the holidays, cozy nights in with wine and chocolate, and even corporate events.
Whether you’re building one to entertain or simply to enjoy, here’s how to assemble a fruit tray that’s both delicious and stunning.
1. Start with a beautiful base.
Presentation sets the tone. The platter or board you use is the visual foundation of your entire plate, so choose one that feels intentional, and that is large enough to accommodate an abundance of ingredients. (A common mistake when assembling fruit trays is choosing an undersized platter).
Consider the following options for your serving board:
- A vintage china platter with a delicate rim
- A handcrafted wooden board with natural grain
- A woven wicker or rattan tray lined with a vintage napkin
- A minimalist marble slab for a modern feel
Let your base echo the mood of your gathering; woven or wooden for a farm-to-table feel, marble for luxury, china for understated elegance.
2. Choose your fruit.
Think seasonally and texturally. Visual contrast helps a fruit plate pop, so look for fruits with both light and dark skins, varying colors, and contrasting shapes.
- Autumn & winter: Fresh artisanal Asian Pears, apples, pomegranate seeds, figs, Concord or black grapes, dried apricots or persimmons, citrus segments
- Spring & summer: Strawberries, blueberries, cherries, watermelon wedges, kiwi, dragonfruit, stone fruits like peaches or plums
Aim for 5–7 different fruits. Too few and it can look sparse, too many and it feels chaotic.
3. Add small luxuries.
What transforms a fruit tray from simple to luxurious is the extras.
Try:
- A dish of dark chocolate ganache or whipped mascarpone for dipping
- Dried gourmet Asian Pear slices for a chewy, concentrated sweetness that contrasts with crisp, fresh fruit
- A spoonful of pear spread
- Toasted pistachios, Marcona almonds, or candied ginger
- A drizzle of local honey over select fruits
These small touches turn a simple spread into a luxurious experience. (And if you’re ever assembling a fruit board as part of a gift, these are the details that elevate it from simple to unforgettable).
4. Start with the stars.
Before arranging fruit, begin by placing any small bowls or ramekins that hold dips, spreads, or especially juicy elements like compotes or pomegranate seeds. These serve as your visual anchors, giving the plate shape and flow. Position them slightly off-center or diagonally from one another to avoid stiffness and help guide the eye across the board.
Once your anchor items are in place, add your featured fruits—the ones you most want to showcase. For us, that’s our hand-picked Subarashii Kudamono Artisanal Asian Pears from Pennsylvania: crisp, golden, and delicately sweet. They are best sliced just before serving to preserve their beautiful color and aroma.
(If you need to prep them in advance, store slices in an airtight container in the fridge and assemble just before guests arrive — no lemon juice needed, as it can overpower their nuanced flavor).
Arrange your focal fruits in generous, slightly overlapping layers near your bowls, or in clusters.
5. Style with contrast and intention.
Begin layering in the rest of your fruits and ingredients, focusing on contrast.
- Use a variety of shapes: rounds, wedges, cubes, halves, and whole berries or grapes
- Balance color: pair bold fruits (like watermelon or raspberries) with paler options (like pear or green apple)
- Create movement: arrange fruits in soft waves or curves, not straight lines
- Keep like with like: arrange in small, intentional clusters rather than scattering pieces randomly
6. Finish with an artful garnish.
The final detail is your garnish. A touch of green or gold makes the plate sing.
Consider:
- Fresh herb sprigs like mint or basil
- Edible flowers like pansies, nasturtiums, or violets, or even non-edible flowers like zinnias, roses, or small dahlias
- Pomegranate seeds
A few well-placed sprigs or scattered seeds give your plate a composed, luxurious feel.
7. Serve at the right temperature.
To preserve texture and flavor, chill your ingredients, but don’t serve them straight from the fridge. About 10–15 minutes at room temperature allows the natural sweetness and aromatics to fully develop, especially in delicately flavored fruit like Artisanal Asian Pears.
Did you know? Stored whole and unwashed, our Asian Pears can last in the fridge for several weeks, making them some of the best pears when you’re planning ahead for entertaining or gifting.
Bringing it All Together
When built with care, a fruit plate brings beauty and nourishment to the table, making any occasion a special occasion.
Start with extraordinary ingredients—like our gourmet Asian Pears, hand-picked in Pennsylvania and shipped fresh to your door—and the rest falls into place.
