THE mention of fruitcake in the Jamaican context almost automatically transports one’s mind to the dark, liquored cake that is an exquisite blend of raisins, dried fruits, rum, wine, nuts, spices and tonnes of flavour baked to perfection and had mainly at Christmastime.

There are several variations of this Christmas dessert but one made by Kadeen Harvey, owner and operator of Fruit Blossoms, located at Portmore Pines Plaza in St Catherine, has caused quite a stir due to her literal interpretation of what a fruit cake is.

Harvey, who started her business in decorative fruits in 2010, told Jamaica Observer’s Your Health Your Wealth that after the pandemic hit and she had to pivot and introduce fruit popsicles, sell fruits retail, and even do several farmer’s market-type events, she received a request from a customer for a fruit cake.

This birthed a new offer for her business – watermelon and pineapple fruit cakes made from the actual fruits, cut into cake tiers, and garnished with other fruits.

For Harvey, adding elegance and versatility to fruits is her passion as she presses towards helping Jamaicans eat healthier and cleaner foods.

“When I just started, my mindset was not on it as a healthy option; the health fad wasn’t heightened. People started saying these are nice gifts and instead of flowers that die, it serves the body in terms of health and helps to get you elated and release endorphins. If you can’t eat it all at once, you have the option of putting it up or blending it in a juice or something. With the fruit cake, you don’t have to worry about unhealthy blood sugar spikes, and it’s just as tasty and helps to keep individuals hydrated during the summer months.

In addition to the watermelon and pineapple fruit cakes, Harvey also does a variety of smoothies and fruit popsicles which she sweetens with a minimal amount of cane sugar, relying on the actual sweetness of the natural fruits to flavour the item.

Her other products include fruit salads, vegetable salads, natural juices, and chocolate vegan cupcakes that are egg- and dairy-free.

Concerned for the growing incidence of childhood diabetes and type 2 diabetes in the population, plus her own motivation for clean eating, Harvey also mentioned that she will be transitioning to coconut water and cane juice as her sweeteners, moving totally away from processed sugar. She will also have the option of unsweetened products.

“One of my goals is to have the fruit pops in basic and primary schools to ease the sugar consumption of our children. We are already in some primary and infant schools in Portmore and we hope to expand with the fruit pops and other products,” she said.

Further, Harvey is also a champion for eating raw food and sells a plantain wrap that is all raw, consisting of vegetables, nut meat and cashew cheese. She also does not use any form of animal products in her food preparation.

“I have partnered with Raw Food Jamaica and, alongside Stacia Davidson, I do nutrition education and teach people how to pair foods and how to prepare raw foods to target lifestyle diseases and ailments. We teach lifestyle, not a diet. We want to teach and empower people to do it on their own.”

Harvey who has also partnered with schools and corporate entities can be contacted on Instagram @fruitblossomsja, via email: fruitblossomsja@gmail.com or by calling 876-849-5561.