One of the common methods for long-term storage of fruits is to dry them industrially or at home. They can be dried by using fruit dryers or by placing the fruits in the sunlight. The amount of properties and nutrients in 100 grams of fruit chips is much higher than the same amount of fresh fruit. Because by drying the fruits, all the water in it is lost. In addition, dried fruits have a longer shelf life and can be used outside of the season. In this article, we are going to discuss all the necessary points regarding this delicious product and its maintenance.
Nutritional difference between dried fruit and fresh fruit
Although drying fruits may have small negative effects on their nutrients, many times it also has positive effects. For example, the laxative effect of dry fruits such as plums, figs and berries is more than their fresh fruits. Also, some types of dried fruits have up to 4 times more antioxidants than their fresh counterparts. In fact, it should be said that fruit chips have more nutrients per unit volume due to water loss and volume reduction.
What fruits can be dried
It should be said that almost most fruits can be dried. The only thing to pay attention to is how to choose the best fruits for drying. For this purpose, you should choose ripe fruits that have a firm texture. Because the amount of nutrients and sugar in these fruits is more and they dry faster. Fruits that are overripe and stained are not suitable for drying. The second point is to try to use juicy fruits that can be crushed to make fruit chips.
In this section, we list these fruits and how to choose them better.
Apricot helps the digestive system
One of the famous and delicious snacks are dried apricots. To dry apricots, you must buy them when they are fully ripe. If you find that the fruits are hard after buying, you can put them in a paper bag near the window to soften them a little.
Peaches are useful for skin freshness
To dry peaches, like apricots, try to choose ripe peaches. To detect this, you can press it a little, ripe peaches are soft and have a pleasant color.
Apple health fruit
One of the fruits that is used a lot for drying is apple. But there are different types of apples, each of which gives a different result after drying. Therefore, according to your taste, choose the best apples to enjoy the final taste.
Grapes strengthen the immune system
Maybe grapes are one of the fruits whose taste after drying is better than its fresh fruit. This fruit is rich in antioxidants and is effective in preventing many diseases including cancer. Dried grapes or raisins can be used in food or as a snack outside the house.
Other fruits that can be dried include bananas, oranges, persimmons, strawberries, mangoes, kiwis, tomatoes, cherries, pineapples, berries, or even cranberries.
Properties of dried fruit
Fruit chips, if they are prepared in a healthy way and without additives, have many benefits and can be used as a healthy snack to satisfy the feeling of hunger. In terms of nutritional value, almost every cup of freshly chopped fruit is equivalent to half a cup of fruit slices. Because all the water in the fruit has been lost. These snacks are rich in calcium and phosphorus, and the large amounts of iron in them make them have a good nutritional value.
All kinds of dried fruits are rich in antioxidants, fiber and micronutrients, and because the water is lost, you can consume more of them. Therefore, more energy, sugar and nutrients enter the body by eating fruit chips. Bananas, persimmons and figs are the most caloric types of dried fruits and kiwi is the least caloric. Consuming this food is very useful for people who do sports, intellectual activities and any type of activity that requires high energy and calories.
Harms of dry fruit
Although the benefits of dried fruits are many, consuming too much of them can also be harmful to the body. One of the most prominent disadvantages of consuming this food is a lot of energy in a small amount of it. As we said, each glass of chopped fruit is almost equivalent to half a glass of fruit chips, therefore eating it recreationally and without a plan causes an increase in calories and sugar and, as a result, excess weight.
The next important point is that it is better to avoid the consumption of dried fruits with added sugar. Then shop at Manbar store and read the information on the dried fruit packaging.
Where to store fruit chips
Dried fruits are among the materials that have a high speed and ability to absorb moisture. For this reason, it is better to store them in a dry, cool place away from heat and moisture. So that dried fruits do not lose their freshness, place them at a temperature close to zero degrees.
In addition, to prevent the invasion of insects, it is better to store these foods in a closed container or cloth bag. Also, if your dried fruits have moisture, first remove their moisture so that they do not get moldy. Use glass containers to store these fruits.
If you bought your slices from outside, the refrigerator is the best option to store them. You can keep these products in the refrigerator for almost a year without changing their quality.