Dried fruit refers to fruit that has been processed by air-drying or sun-drying to reduce the moisture content to less than 20%.
Dried fruit has a unique taste, and nutritious characteristics, and is a commonly eaten snack.
1. Historical origin
The history of dried fruit can be traced back to ancient times when people would use natural air-drying or sun-drying to preserve the fruit as a way of preserving food.
After continuous evolution and improvement, dried fruit gradually became a unique food.
2. Common types
There are many kinds of dried fruits, the common ones are raisins, dates, dried apricots, dried coconuts, dried cinnamon, dried longan, dried apples, dried persimmons, dried mangoes, dried lychees, etc.
3. Production methods
The dried fruit production method mainly has two kinds, one is the air-drying method, that is, the fruit is placed in a well-ventilated place, and the use of natural wind will gradually evaporate the moisture in the fruit.
The other is the drying method, that is, the fruit is placed in the drying room, and the use of high temperature will evaporate the water in the fruit.
Ensure the quality of the dried fruit, generally need to pretreat the fruit, such as cleaning, peeling, de-coring, etc.
4. Nutrient composition
Dried fruits are rich in nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and so on.
Among them, raisins are rich in iron, potassium, and vitamin B complex, which help prevent anemia and high blood pressure.
Dried apricots are rich in vitamin E and calcium, which help to protect skin and bone health, etc.
5. Eating method and shelf life
Dried fruits can generally be used as snacks or ingredients, such as added to pastries, cereals, yogurt, etc. to eat.
To maintain the taste and nutritional value of dried fruit, generally needs to be stored in a dry, cool, ventilated environment.
The shelf life of different kinds of dried fruits also varies, generally ranging from six months to a year.
Dried fruits are suitable to be eaten together with nuts, which are also very nutritious.
Nuts are fruits with large seeds and kernels, usually hard shells wrapped in soft kernels, and are nutritious food.
Common nuts include peanuts, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, pistachios, coconuts, pine nuts, and so on.
Nuts are rich in high-quality protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients.
To maintain the taste and nutritional value of nuts, they generally need to be stored in a dry, cool, ventilated environment.
Although the nutritional value of nuts is high, but also need to eat in moderation. Because nuts contain high levels of fat and calories, excessive consumption can lead to obesity and other health problems.
In addition, nuts may also cause allergic reactions, especially for people with a history of peanut allergy, who need to pay special attention.