The Possible Reason Fruit Salad Is Sometimes Called Macedonia

Fruit salad is a summer staple. With so many fresh fruits in season, there's a plethora of options to mix up and serve at a picnic, backyard cookout, or brunch on the patio. And there's just about as many recipe variations out there as there are fruits to choose from. It could be as simple as the classic mixture of your favorite berries or a melon and citrus blend with honey dressing (via Southern Living). Or you could mix things up by adding in cheese or even quinoa.

But don't forget the fruit salads with the creamy dressings. According to the Kitchn, fruit salad started popping up in U.S. households during the mid-1800s with the classic ambrosia and Waldorf salads. Fruit cocktail, which had actual alcohol in it and was not canned, was also popular at that time. Whatever your preferred version of fruit salad, maybe you know that sometimes it's also called a macedonia. But do you know the reason behind this name?

The possible reason fruit salad is called macedonia could relate back to Alexander the Great. Other than referring to the actual country of North Macedonia located in southeastern Europe, the word macedonia is also sometimes used to describe a mixture of different things, as explained by Briciole. It is believed that this salad is prepared this way to represent the blending of people in the Macedonian Empire under King Alexander the Great. Thus the word has evolved from a medley of people to a medley of fruit.

Calling fruit salad a macedonia is more popular in Italy and Spain. If you live in the United States, maybe you've never heard it called that before. Per the Spruce Eats, fruit salad may be called macedonia de fruta tropical in Spain. The site's version includes tropical fruits found in southern Spain like mangos, papayas, and pineapples. 

So next time you want to really impress your friends and family, tell them you're bringing a macedonia to the next picnic.