Puree vs. Compote — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 3, 2023
Puree is a smooth paste or thick liquid made by crushing cooked food, whereas compote is a dessert of whole or pieces of fruit cooked in syrup.
Difference Between Puree and Compote
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A puree is a form of food processing where cooked food, typically vegetables or legumes, is blended until it becomes a smooth paste or thick liquid. It’s often used as a base in soups, sauces, or as baby food due to its smooth texture. Compote, on the other hand, is made by cooking whole or pieces of fruit in sugar syrup. It retains the fruit's texture to some extent and is usually served as a dessert or a condiment.
Puree is characterized by its homogenous texture, achieved by blending or straining to remove all lumps. It can be used in various culinary applications, from a base for dishes to a side. Compote is a chunky, syrupy mixture, where the fruit pieces are evident and immersed in a flavored syrup, often spiced with cinnamon or vanilla.
The process of making puree involves cooking the food until it softens and then mashing or blending it to a fine consistency without any large pieces. Compote’s preparation, while also involving cooking, allows the fruit to maintain its shape, resulting in a chunky texture that is still soft enough to easily chew.
A key distinction lies in the end use of both; puree can be a dish on its own or an ingredient in more complex dishes. Compote is typically used as a sweet accompaniment to desserts or sometimes as a sweet side to rich meats and foie gras due to its sweet and tangy flavor profile.
While a puree is usually savory, meant to blend seamlessly into a dish, a compote is sweet and stands out, adding a burst of flavor and texture to the culinary experience. Purees may contain seasonings and herbs, while compotes often feature the added flavors of sugar and spices.
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Comparison Chart
Texture
Smooth and homogeneous.
Chunky with evident pieces of fruit.
Preparation Method
Blended or strained to a smooth consistency.
Cooked in syrup, retaining some fruit shape.
Typical Use
Base for soups/sauces or baby food.
Dessert or condiment.
Sweetness
Generally not sweetened.
Typically sweetened with sugar or honey.
Consistency
Thick paste or liquid.
Syrupy with softened fruit.
Compare with Definitions
Puree
A smooth thick paste made from blended food items.
The chef added tomato puree to the soup for a richer flavor.
Compote
A dessert made from whole or pieces of fruit in syrup.
The berry compote complemented the cheesecake perfectly.
Puree
A culinary technique used to soften the texture of food.
Pumpkin puree is a staple ingredient in making pumpkin pie.
Compote
Fruit stewed or cooked in a syrup of sugar and water.
She topped her oatmeal with apple compote for breakfast.
Puree
Food processed until it is completely smooth.
She made a puree out of the roasted vegetables for the baby.
Compote
A mixture of fruits cooked to a soft consistency.
A warm compote made with autumn fruits was served as the dessert.
Puree
A strained blend of food, used in various recipes.
Banana puree was used to sweeten the smoothie naturally.
Compote
A traditional fruit dish, often spiced or flavored.
For Thanksgiving, he made a cranberry compote with a hint of orange zest.
Puree
To blend cooked food to a creamy texture.
He pureed the beans to create a dip for the appetizer.
Compote
Compote or compôte (French for mixture) is a dessert originating from medieval Europe, made of whole or pieces of fruit in sugar syrup. Whole fruits are cooked in water with sugar and spices.
Puree
To rub through a strainer or process (food) in a blender.
Compote
Fruit stewed or cooked in syrup.
Puree
Food prepared by straining or blending.
Compote
A long-stemmed dish used for holding fruit, nuts, or candy.
Puree
A food that has been ground or crushed into a thick liquid or paste.
Tomato sauce is generally a puree.
Compote
A dessert made of fruit cooked in sugary syrup.
Puree
A type of unleavened bread from South Asia.
Compote
A dish used for serving fruit.
Puree
To crush or grind food into a puree.
Compote
A preparation of fruit in sirup in such a manner as to preserve its form, either whole, halved, or quartered; as, a compote of pears.
Puree
A dish made by boiling any article of food to a pulp and rubbing it through a sieve; as, a purée of fish, or of potatoes; especially, a soup the thickening of which is so treated.
Compote
A bowl-shaped dish having a stem, and a base smaller than the bowl, used to serve compotes or other items, such as candies, nuts, or fruit; a compote dish. Compotes may be made of different materials, such as glass, porcelain, or silver.
Puree
Food prepared by cooking and straining or processed in a blender
Compote
Dessert of stewed or baked fruit
Puree
Rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender;
Puree the vegetables for the baby
Compote
A sweet sauce made from fruit cooked in sugar syrup.
The pancakes were drizzled with a homemade peach compote.
Common Curiosities
Can puree be used in sweet dishes?
Yes, fruit purees are often used in desserts.
What defines a puree?
A puree is food that's been processed until smooth.
How long can I store homemade puree?
Homemade puree can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Is puree always made from vegetables?
No, puree can be made from fruits, vegetables, or legumes.
What's the primary use for compote?
Compote is primarily used as a dessert or topping.
Does compote contain whole pieces of fruit?
Compote often contains whole pieces or large chunks of fruit.
Can puree be used as a sauce?
Yes, purees commonly serve as a base for sauces.
Can compote be made with frozen fruit?
Yes, compote can be made with fresh or frozen fruit.
Is puree typically served hot or cold?
Puree can be served either hot or cold, depending on the dish.
How thick should compote be?
Compote should be thick enough to coat the fruit but still pourable.
Can I add spices to my compote?
Yes, spices like cinnamon or vanilla enhance the flavor of compote.
Is it necessary to peel fruits for puree?
It depends on the recipe and desired texture; some purees are fine with peels.
Is compote always sweetened?
Compote is usually sweetened, but the amount of sugar can be adjusted.
What kitchen tools do I need to make a puree?
A blender, food processor, or immersion blender can be used to make puree.
Can I use puree as a baby food?
Absolutely, purees are excellent as baby food due to their smooth texture.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
