The holiday season, with its twinkling lights, joyous gatherings, and festive spirit, calls for equally enchanting culinary creations. While sugary treats and rich dishes often dominate festive tables, offering a refreshing and visually stunning alternative can truly elevate your spread. A Christmas fruit platter, especially one artfully arranged like a vibrant wreath, serves as an elegant, healthy, and utterly delightful appetizer that’s guaranteed to impress your guests. This colorful centerpiece, brimming with the rich hues of seasonal fruits, promises to be a spectacular highlight at any Christmas party, offering both beauty and a guilt-free indulgence.
Beyond this enchanting wreath, explore a variety of ideas for crafting exquisite fruit platters, from simple yet sophisticated displays to delightful fruit and cheese platters. For those seeking fresh vegetable options, our easy crudité platter offers another fantastic choice to complement your diverse holiday menu. These versatile options ensure that every guest finds something delicious and appealing.
Much like our charming holiday wreath cookies, this festive Christmas wreath fruit platter embodies the true spirit of the season. It’s more than just a dish; it’s a piece of edible art, perfectly suited for enhancing your holiday table decorations. With its stunning colors and wholesome options, it’s a delightful choice that pleases both the eye and the palate, ensuring everyone at your gathering finds something to savor. As I plan my annual girls’ holiday party, I can already envision this beautiful edible Christmas wreath taking center stage on the menu. There’s something truly special about a seasonal appetizer that is as visually appealing and nourishing as it is utterly delicious.
Why Choose a Christmas Wreath Fruit Platter for Your Holiday Gathering?
Embracing the holiday spirit doesn’t mean sacrificing health or elegance. A thoughtfully crafted Christmas wreath fruit platter offers numerous advantages, making it an indispensable and brilliant addition to your festive celebrations. It’s a choice that combines aesthetics, health, and practicality, perfect for any host.
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A Stunning Centerpiece and Conversation Starter
This beautifully arranged platter naturally draws the eye, effortlessly transforming into a vibrant and festive centerpiece for your Christmas table. Its unique wreath shape and harmonious blend of seasonal colors create an immediate focal point that will undoubtedly impress your guests and spark delightful conversations. It adds a touch of natural artistry and elegance to your decor, demonstrating a thoughtful and creative approach to holiday entertaining.
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A Healthy and Refreshing Balance Amidst Holiday Indulgences
While the holidays are often synonymous with an abundance of rich desserts and hearty meals, a fresh fruit platter provides a much-needed healthy balance. It offers a refreshing contrast to the usual sugary Christmas treats and heavy appetizers, allowing guests to enjoy something light, nutritious, and guilt-free. This thoughtful inclusion ensures there are delightful options for all dietary preferences, making your party more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.
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Effortless Preparation for Stress-Free Hosting
One of the most appealing aspects of creating a dazzling fruit platter is that it’s a no-cook recipe, which is a major advantage during the bustling holiday season. It requires minimal active cooking time, allowing you to focus your energy on other aspects of party planning, such as decorating or spending time with loved ones. With just a few simple steps of washing, slicing, and artful arranging, you can create an impressive dish that comes together effortlessly, even at the last minute. This ease of preparation significantly reduces holiday hosting stress, enabling you to relax and enjoy the festivities alongside your guests.
Selecting the Perfect Fruits for Your Festive Platter
The secret to a visually appealing and utterly delicious Christmas fruit platter lies in selecting the freshest, most vibrant, and appropriately in-season fruits. Focusing on a palette of red and green varieties naturally enhances the cherished holiday theme. Here are some top choices, along with practical tips for optimal flavor, texture, and presentation:
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Berries: The Quintessential Red Touch
Red berries are absolutely indispensable for a classic Christmas fruit platter, offering a delightful burst of color and a naturally sweet-tart flavor. Opt for plump and juicy strawberries, tender raspberries, and vibrant cranberries. Fresh cranberries can be sugared for an extra festive, glistening sparkle, adding both visual appeal and a pleasant tang. These berries contribute a soft texture and a balanced flavor profile that beautifully complements other fruits. Always choose firm, unblemished berries for the best appearance and taste.
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Tropical Fruit: An Exotic Winter Flair
Introduce an unexpected, exotic element to your holiday spread with the inclusion of tropical fruits. Dragonfruit, with its striking pink skin and speckled white flesh, can be elegantly sliced into rounds or charming star shapes using a cookie cutter, adding a whimsical touch. Bright green kiwi slices provide a contrasting pop of emerald, while small chunks of sweet, zesty pineapple offer a refreshing bite. These tropical additions not only contribute unique flavors but also bring diverse textures and captivating visual interest, a welcome surprise during the cooler winter months.
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Apples and Pears: Crisp, Sweet, and Versatile
Crisp apples and tender pears are fantastic and robust additions to any fruit platter. Slice them thinly to allow for elegant arrangement and easy consumption. To prevent the common issue of browning, simply toss the slices in a small amount of fresh lemon juice immediately after cutting. Varieties like Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Red Delicious apples, and Bosc or Anjou pears, work wonderfully for their appealing colors, satisfying crunch, and firm textures that hold up well on a platter.
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Juicy Grapes: For Structure, Height, and Sweetness
Both crimson red grapes and emerald green grapes are excellent choices to add volume, height, and a varied texture to your festive platter. They are incredibly versatile and easy to arrange in appealing clusters, serving as a lush base or filling in any gaps to create a bountiful look. Seedless varieties are generally preferred for ease of eating, making them a hassle-free option for guests. Consider chilling your grapes beforehand for an extra refreshing and delightful bite.
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Citrus: A Zesty Pop of Color and Flavor
Citrus fruits bring a wonderfully refreshing tang and beautiful, vibrant colors to your holiday display. Blood oranges, when carefully sliced, reveal a stunning deep red interior, adding a dramatic and elegant touch that is perfectly festive. Clementines or mandarins, easily peeled and separated into segments, are also delightful and convenient for guests to grab. Their bright, zesty notes provide a lovely contrast, cutting through the sweetness of other fruits and offering a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
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Pomegranates: Jewels of the Winter Season
Pomegranate arils (seeds) are like tiny, glistening rubies, ideal for scattering generously over the platter to add sparkling visual appeal, a delightful crunch, and a burst of tart-sweet flavor. They are a particularly seasonal fruit, making them a beautiful and thematic choice for Christmas. You can purchase them pre-seeded for convenience or deseed them yourself for the freshest possible addition.
Crafting Your Festive Wreath Fruit Platter: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple yet effective steps to assemble a show-stopping Christmas fruit platter that will undoubtedly be the talk of your holiday party. With a little care and creativity, you can create a centerpiece that’s both beautiful and delicious:
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1. Prepare All Fruits: Begin by thoroughly washing all of your selected fruits under cool running water. After washing, gently dry each piece with a clean cloth or paper towel. This crucial step ensures both hygiene and that the fruits look their absolute best on the platter. Ensure all surfaces are completely clean and dry before proceeding to the next steps.
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2. Slice and Preserve Apples and Pears: Carefully cut your red apples and pears into thin, elegant slices, making sure to remove any seeds or stems. Immediately after slicing, lightly toss these fruit pieces with a small amount of fresh lemon juice. This simple yet effective trick helps to prevent enzymatic browning, ensuring your fruit remains fresh and appetizing throughout your event.
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3. Shape Dragon Fruit for Flair: For a truly festive and eye-catching touch, carefully slice the dragon fruit into elegant rounds. Alternatively, you can use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to create charming and whimsical star shapes. These unique cuts will add an exotic and visually appealing element to your Christmas wreath.
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4. Form the Wreath Base: Select a large, circular platter as your canvas for this edible masterpiece. Begin by meticulously arranging the red grapes around the entire outer edge of the platter, forming a dense and inviting circular base. This initial layer creates the foundational shape and volume for your festive wreath.
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5. Layer and Build the Wreath: Now, begin to layer the prepared red apples, pears, dragon fruit stars, strawberries, raspberries, and sugared cranberries. Arrange them in a continuous circular pattern on top of the grape base. Overlap each fruit slightly, alternating colors and textures, to create a sense of abundance, fullness, and visual depth. Don’t be afraid to build up a few layers to give the wreath a rich, bountiful appearance.
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6. Garnish for a Festive Finish: To complete your stunning Christmas wreath, add delicate sprigs of fresh mint or fragrant rosemary. These natural green accents not only introduce a beautiful color contrast but also evoke the traditional look and aromatic essence of a holiday wreath, adding an extra layer of festive charm and sensory delight. Scatter pomegranate arils over the top for extra sparkle and texture.
Designing with Color: Red and Green Fruit Ideas
While a predominantly red fruit platter is undeniably stunning, strategically incorporating green elements can create a classic Christmas color palette that is incredibly festive and visually balanced. Here’s an expanded list of fruits, thoughtfully categorized by color, to inspire your creative and harmonious designs:
Vibrant Red Fruits for Your Platter
For a striking red theme that truly pops, consider a rich and varied assortment of fruits. Include whole or sliced strawberries for their iconic shape and sweetness, plump raspberries, juicy red grapes (especially seedless ones), sweet cherries (remember to pit them for easy eating), glistening pomegranate arils, tart cranberries (which can be beautifully sugared for a frosted effect), and vibrant watermelon cut into delightful holiday shapes like stars or small trees. Don’t overlook the unique appeal of thinly sliced blood oranges, ripe plums, dark figs, crisp red apples, and tender red pears. Dragonfruit stars add an exotic flair and a touch of whimsy, while ruby red grapefruit offers a sophisticated tartness. For an unexpected and playful pop of color, even small, perfectly ripe cherry tomatoes can be artfully included for a surprising savory-sweet contrast.
Lush Green Fruits and Accents
To beautifully balance the reds and introduce the essential festive green, incorporate a variety of verdant options. Utilize seedless green grapes, vibrant kiwi slices (peeled and cut into rounds or half-moons), refreshing honeydew melon cut into festive shapes (such as small leaves or mini Christmas trees), crisp green apples (like Granny Smith for a tart kick), and sweet green plums. For a truly unique and refreshing addition, consider thin slices of avocado (tossed immediately in lime juice to prevent browning and add zest), starfruit cut into perfect stars (which naturally showcases its beautiful shape), and fresh or dried green figs. Beyond fruits, small sprigs of fresh lime or delicate clusters of mint or rosemary can also provide that bright, zesty touch and traditional green hue, completing your holiday masterpiece with both color and aromatic charm.
Enhance Your Platter with Delectable Fruit Dips
A delicious dipping sauce can transform your Christmas fruit platter from merely great to absolutely unforgettable. Offering a variety of dips caters to different tastes and adds an extra layer of indulgence and excitement. Here are some fantastic pairing ideas that will perfectly complement your fresh fruit selection:
- Classic Sweet Dips: A rich caramel sauce or a decadent chocolate sauce are timeless favorites that pair wonderfully with almost any fruit. Their indulgent sweetness beautifully complements the natural tartness or sweetness of berries, apples, and pears, creating a truly irresistible combination.
- Creamy & Tangy Options: For a lighter, yet equally satisfying experience, consider a creamy homemade fruit dip. A luscious yogurt fruit dip, perhaps subtly flavored with vanilla extract, a hint of citrus zest, or a touch of honey, offers a refreshing tang that brightens the fruit flavors. You could also serve plain Greek yogurt drizzled with a generous amount of honey for a simple yet elegant sweet and tangy twist that’s also rich in probiotics.
- Nut Butter Dips: For a more substantial and protein-rich option, a smooth peanut butter or almond butter dip can be a delightful accompaniment. To make it dippable, thin it slightly with a touch of honey, maple syrup, or milk. This rich and nutty dip is particularly excellent with crisp apple and pear slices.
- Spiced Holiday Dips: During the festive season, consider offering a dip with a touch of warming seasonal spice. A cream cheese dip infused with a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice, or a light pumpkin pie spiced yogurt dip, can beautifully echo the flavors of traditional holiday desserts, adding an extra layer of festive cheer.
Arrange your chosen dips in small, elegant bowls placed either centrally within the fruit wreath or artfully at its side, ensuring they are easily accessible for all your guests to enjoy.
Expert Tips for Crafting the Perfect Fruit Platter
Crafting a truly stunning and memorable fruit platter goes beyond just arranging fruits on a dish. Keep these expert tips in mind to create a masterpiece that is both visually captivating and deliciously inviting for your holiday guests:
- Prioritize Freshness and Vibrancy: The foundation of an exceptional fruit platter lies in the quality of your ingredients. Always choose fresh, perfectly ripe, and in-season fruits that boast the most vibrant and appealing colors. Rigorously inspect your selections and avoid any fruits that appear bruised, overly soft, or past their prime, as they won’t hold up well and will detract significantly from the platter’s overall beauty and freshness.
- Embrace Variety in Shape and Size: To create dynamic visual interest and an engaging presentation, thoughtfully mix different shapes, sizes, and cutting styles of fruit. Combine the natural roundness of whole berries with elegantly sliced apples, uniform cubes of melon, and charming star-cut dragonfruit. This intentional variety makes the platter far more captivating and appealing to the eye.
- Incorporate Festive Greenery: Elevate your platter’s aesthetic beyond just fruits by adding natural, aromatic greenery for an authentic festive touch. Small sprigs of fresh mint or fragrant rosemary, artfully scattered among the fruits or gently tucked into the curves of your wreath, create a beautiful color contrast and evoke the traditional look and delightful aroma of a holiday wreath.
- Master the Art of Layering: When arranging your fruits, strive for an abundant and lush appearance. Instead of laying out flat, separated pieces, build layers that gracefully overlap each other. This strategic layering technique creates a wonderful sense of generosity and fullness, making the platter look more luxurious, inviting, and truly bountiful.
- Get Creative with Holiday Shapes: Unleash your inner artist and think beyond the basic arrangement! While the wreath shape is a timeless classic, consider other fun and festive holiday designs. You can artfully arrange fruits to form a charming Christmas tree, a radiant star, or even candy cane stripes using contrasting red and white fruits. Small cookie cutters are your indispensable tools here, perfect for transforming slices of melon, pineapple, or dragonfruit into delightful stars, hearts, or other whimsical holiday motifs.
- Balance Flavors and Textures: A truly great fruit platter offers a multi-sensory experience. Thoughtfully combine juicy, soft fruits like succulent berries and grapes with firmer, crispier ones such as fresh apples and pears. Introduce creamy elements with a delectable dip, or add a satisfying crunch with a scattering of pomegranate seeds or chopped nuts. This thoughtful combination ensures every bite is interesting and offers a delightful interplay of tastes and textures.
- Consider a Classic Red and Green Palette: While an all-red wreath is undeniably striking, combining both red and green fruits is a classic approach that instantly communicates “Christmas.” Think about pairing vibrant red grapes with bright green grapes, crisp red apples with tangy kiwi slices, or sweet strawberries with refreshing honeydew melon to achieve that iconic and festive color scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Fruit Platters
For a show-stopping Christmas fruit platter, it’s best to lean into seasonal winter fruits and those that offer a distinctly festive color palette. We highly recommend focusing on vibrant red fruits such as succulent red grapes, plump raspberries, sweet strawberries, and tart cranberries, which truly capture the holiday spirit. You can also incorporate other festive and visually appealing fruits like exotic dragonfruit, which can be elegantly cut into star shapes, crisp apple slices, and tender red pears. To add more texture and depth, consider mixing in some dried fruits, such as dried cranberries or apricots. Don’t forget the essential finishing touches: sprigs of fresh mint or aromatic rosemary scattered on top instantly add that traditional holiday greenery and delightful fragrance. And for an extra layer of delight, pair your platter with a creamy chocolate dip, a light honey yogurt dip, or a rich homemade fruit dip for a perfectly sweet and tangy complement.
The best fruits for a festive Christmas platter are those that offer both exceptional visual appeal and delightful flavors, ensuring a memorable experience for your guests. Here’s a curated list of top choices to inspire your creation:
- Strawberries: Sweet, incredibly juicy, and an iconic red that screams holiday cheer.
- Raspberries: Delicate, perfectly tart-sweet, and vibrantly colored for contrast.
- Cranberries: Especially when sugared, they add a beautiful frosty look and a pleasant tartness.
- Red Grapes: Provide excellent volume, an appealing round shape, and a satisfying burst of sweetness.
- Dragonfruit: Exotic, visually striking, and ideally suited for cutting into festive star shapes.
- Apples (Red Varieties): Crisp, incredibly versatile, and hold up exceptionally well when sliced.
- Red Pears: Offer a softer, elegant texture and a beautiful, nuanced appearance.
- Clementines or Mandarins: Easy to peel, delightfully sweet, and provide a bright orange pop.
- Pomegranate Seeds (Arils): Like scattered jewels, adding a delightful crunch and tartness.
- Figs (Dried or Fresh): Provide a sophisticated, earthy sweetness and a unique, appealing texture.
- Kiwi (Green): Essential for a pop of contrasting green color and a tangy, refreshing flavor.
- Blood Oranges: Stunning deep red flesh when sliced, offering a sophisticated and zesty twist.
Beyond the elegant wreath arrangement, there are numerous creative and engaging ways to serve a Christmas fruit platter to truly delight your guests during the holiday season. As discussed, arranging the fruit in a classic wreath shape is always a winning choice for its traditional appeal. Another popular and interactive option is to create a festive centerpiece using skewers: thread various colorful fruits like grapes, melon cubes, and berries onto small wooden or bamboo skewers, then arrange them upright in a foam block or vase to resemble a charming “fruit Christmas tree” or a vibrant bouquet of fruit kabobs. For more individualized servings, consider crafting charming fruit cups; layer different colored fruits with dollops of light whipped cream or creamy vanilla yogurt in clear plastic or glass cups, perhaps topped with a few glistening pomegranate seeds or a fresh mint sprig for a festive touch. You can also utilize small cookie cutters to cut melons, pineapple, or dragonfruit into delightful holiday shapes like stars, trees, gingerbread men, or hearts, creating a fun and colorful mosaic display on a large flat platter. For a rustic and abundant feel, use a large wooden cutting board and arrange fruits alongside an assortment of gourmet cheeses, nuts, and crackers for a sophisticated hybrid fruit and charcuterie experience. Let your imagination soar, and have fun experimenting with different layouts and presentations to make your holiday fruit display truly memorable and uniquely yours!
More Festive Christmas Appetizer Inspiration
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Fruit and Cheese Platter
To truly complete your holiday feast, consider serving this delightful fruit platter alongside any of our festive Christmas drink recipes. From sparkling mocktails to warming cocktails, there’s a perfect pairing to enhance every guest’s experience and elevate the holiday cheer!
We sincerely hope you cherish the experience of creating and sharing this beautiful wreath fruit platter. Its vibrant presentation, fresh flavors, and healthy appeal are sure to bring immense joy and an touch of effortless elegance to your home this holiday season. If you make this festive appetizer, we would absolutely love to hear from you! Please consider sharing your experience by leaving a review and a star rating below to inspire other home entertainers.
Christmas Wreath Fruit Platter
Eden
10 mins
0 mins
5 mins
15 mins
8 people
Ingredients
- 2 large red apples, sliced (e.g., Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp)
- 1/2 pint fresh raspberries
- 3 bunches red grapes (seedless preferred)
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced or halved
- 1 large dragonfruit, sliced into rounds or star shapes
- 2 large pomegranates (for arils)
- 5 ounces cranberries, fresh or sugared
- 10 fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
- Lemon juice (for apples/pears, approximately 1-2 tablespoons)
Instructions
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Wash and thoroughly dry all of your fruit.
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Cut the red apples and pears into thin slices, carefully removing seeds or stems. Drizzle a small amount of lemon juice over them and toss gently to prevent browning.
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Carefully slice the dragon fruit into elegant rounds or use a small cookie cutter to create festive star shapes.
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On a large, circular platter, arrange the red grapes around the edge to create a dense and inviting base for your wreath.
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Begin layering the prepared red apples, pears, dragon fruit stars, strawberries, raspberries, and sugared cranberries in a continuous circular shape on top of the grapes. Overlap the fruits slightly to create a full, abundant wreath effect.
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Garnish your festive wreath with sprigs of fresh mint or rosemary for a touch of traditional greenery and a beautiful aromatic finish. Scatter pomegranate arils over the top for extra sparkle and crunch.
Recipe Notes & Storage Tips
For Best Presentation: Choose fruits with vibrant colors that truly represent the holiday season. Use different shapes and sizes to add compelling visual interest, and add some greenery on top with sprigs of mint or rosemary for that essential festive touch. Arrange the fruit in an artful, overlapping manner to achieve a lush, full appearance.
How to Store Your Fruit Platter:
To keep your fruit platter fresh, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the remaining fruit to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator. For peak freshness and taste, it’s best to consume the platter within 1-2 days.
Before serving again, carefully inspect and remove any fruits that appear wilted, bruised, or spoiled to maintain the quality of the display.
While the platter can be served at room temperature for a short period, do not leave it out for more than 2 hours to prevent spoilage and maintain optimal freshness.
Nutrition Information (Approximate Per Serving)
Calories: 171kcal
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Carbohydrates: 41g
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Protein: 3g
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Fat: 2g
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Saturated Fat: 0.1g
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Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g
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Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g
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Sodium: 13mg
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Potassium: 473mg
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Fiber: 9g
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Sugar: 29g
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Vitamin A: 142IU
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Vitamin C: 57mg
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Calcium: 36mg
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Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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