Kompot - Polish Fruit Compote

Rinse all dried fruits thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dust or debris.

Place rinsed fruits in large pot, add 3 liters of cold water.

Add cinnamon stick and whole cloves to pot.

Slice lemon into thin rounds, remove any seeds, add to pot with fruits.

Bring mixture to boil over high heat, stirring occasionally.

Once boiling, reduce heat to low simmer, cover pot with lid.

Simmer gently for 25-30 minutes until fruits are plump and tender.

Add sugar to taste, starting with 100g - some prefer sweeter, others less sweet.

Stir to dissolve sugar completely, simmer for additional 5 minutes.

Taste kompot and adjust sweetness if needed - should be lightly sweet, not syrupy.

Remove from heat, let kompot cool slightly with lid on for 10 minutes.

This resting time allows flavors to deepen and meld together.

Strain kompot through fine-mesh sieve if desired for clear drink, or leave fruits in for rustic presentation.

Compot can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled depending on preference.

For serving, ladle into glasses or cups, include some fruit pieces in each serving.

Optionally garnish with fresh mint sprig for extra freshness.