When a fresh fruit is dried and dehydrated under a series of processes before being packed, for long-term sustenance, it results in the formation of a dried fruit. These fruits are pre-treated to maintain their color and soaked in a variety of substances such as ascorbic acid, pectin, or juices. Following this, the fruit is sliced, pitted, and blanched before being dried.
It is very important for one to realize how, why and in what quantities these fruits should be consumed in order to get the best nutrition from them without harming our body. Although dried fruits are a smart choice, one should know a few things before eating them regularly.
Dried fruits are high in fiber, potassium, and iron that help maintain a healthy digestive system. They also help relieve constipation, lower blood pressure, and keep your stomach full when dieting or between meals. While eating some dried fruit instead of munching on cookies, candy, and other oily snacks is a great alternative, it’s always best to stick to as much fresh fruit as possible. Alternatively, dried fruits can easily be carried to work or school in our pockets. They do not wither or smell. Therefore, they are extremely reliable.
But it should also be noted that many drying processes involve additives such as sulfites. Therefore, one must be very careful before grabbing his box of nuts. Much nutritional value is lost during the pre-treatment and dehydration process. Dried fruits are also calorically dense. One cup of dried fruit has about 3 times the caloric content of about ΒΌ cup of its original fruit. Therefore, if they are not consumed in a limited way, they can easily increase body weight. But if used in adequate amounts it can also help control weight. Two servings of fruit a day can help you lose weight, and dried fruit can be an easy way to fill this gap.
Dried fruits generally have a shelf life of 6 months to about a year. But if you find that the fruit is losing its color, texture, juice, then wash and cut the fruit and soak it in a solution of lemon juice and water for about 30 seconds to see how its color, flavor and nutritional value are preserved.
Dried fruit can also be chopped and stuffed into the core of apples before baking, used in fruit pies, and added to breakfast oatmeal for a healthy snack.
It is important to check the content of the dried fruit when purchasing. Look for dried or frozen versions without sugar or preservatives. There may also be a small amount of oil content in your dried fruit that helps prevent the fruit from clumping. The frozen nuts are frozen and then placed in a vacuum chamber to gradually remove their water content without altering their nutritional content, flavor along with their crunchy, dry texture.