We’re all familiar with fruit; we’re all well-acquainted with butter. But the combination of these two words leads to something just as delectable: fruit butter. What is it? And why might it be a good idea for you to start using it in your cooking? Allow us to inform you. 

Fruit butter is, rather obviously, derived from fruit — almost any varietal of the food group will do, though apple and pear tend to be among the most favored. Although it’s the consistency of regular butter, it’s actually a product more similar to a jam or jelly, offering a delicious sweetness when spread over breads and croissants — though the cooking process is different. 

Created by pureeing fruit and adding minimal sugars, then slow-cooking the mixture down until moisture is removed and the puree reaches the thickness and consistency of, well, butter, fruit butter is an environmentally-conscious culinary choice for a number of reasons:

Fruit butter doesn’t require fruit to be perfectly ripe, so produce that’s slightly overripe can be used in the process. You also can create new flavors by combining different types of fruit, so any leftovers you have left in the fridge can be thrown together to create something that reduces waste and is extra delicious.

Because pureeing fruit to make fruit butter allows the chef to use parts of the produce that might otherwise be discarded — bits and pieces that might not be at their most delicious when raw, but perfectly edible in a reduction — cooking fruit butter allows for less waste and more delicious, long-lasting fruits of your labor.

When we talk about regenerative farming and agriculture, we can mean many different things. The most basic definition involves farming practices that help the soil and landscape where food is grown, rather than hurting them — which is certainly a practice that can be supported when making fruit butter, depending on where you buy produce.Evan Marks’ sustainable food ecosystem, the incredible organization that is The Ecology Center, is a great option for California-based readers. But regenerative agriculture can also look like using food in ways that reduce our waste and carbon footprints.

Speaking of Evan Marks — for those of you disappointed to not be living in San Juan Capistrano, we have delectable news for you! IntroducingThe Regenerative Holiday Box, a collaboration with The Ecology Center offering Strawberry Chili Fruit Butter harvested from peak summer strawberries. This butter is beautiful when spread on pancakes or toast, elevating any dish that benefits from a pop of subtle sweetness. Also included in the Holiday Box: the Café Telegrama x Canyon Coffee Alentejo Regenerative Roast (delicious, sustainably-sourced coffee);west~bourne’s own 100% Pure Avocado oil, of course; and the west~bourne Regenerative Cover Crop Pancake and Waffle Mix, which, dare we say, might go perfectly with a generous helping of Strawberry Chili Butter?