How to dry peaches? What are the benefits of dried peaches? Let’s start with peaches first; As you know, peach is a tasty, juicy and versatile summer fruit whose Latin name is prunus persica. This delicious fruit has a hard core, yellow and relatively white flesh, and velvety skin. Its pleasant aroma and sweet and sour taste have attracted many fans.
The peach tree is a beautiful but short-lived tree whose lifespan is 5 or 6 years and it can be combined with almond, peach or apricot trees. Peach is a product of leafy trees that grow in temperate regions and belongs to the Rosa ceae family.
Dried peaches
Dried peach is one of the peach products. In this method, peaches are cut into smaller pieces and dried. In choosing this dry fruit, care should be taken that it has sufficient moisture and thickness; Because dried peaches with low thickness and moisture do not produce the true taste of peaches when eaten.
Health benefits of dried peaches
1. Anti-cancer
Dried peaches are rich in carotenoid compounds that have anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties and fight against various cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer.
2. Strengthening the immune system
Peaches are rich in ascorbic acid and zinc, which help the body to function normally. Zinc and vitamin C are effective in treating infections and reducing diseases such as diarrhea, colds and malaria. Deficiency of these components can lead to oxidative burst and disruption of cellular activity.
3. Rich in antioxidants
Dried peach flesh and skin have significant antioxidant properties. Antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-critoxanthin help inhibit oxygen-derived free radicals and protect the body against harmful diseases.
4. Skin care
Dried peaches contain a significant amount of vitamin C, which protects the body against harmful free radicals and infections. This fruit also has a protective effect on the skin against ultraviolet rays.
5. Detoxification of the body
Peaches are useful for cleansing and detoxifying the body and help to detoxify harmful toxins from the kidney and liver. Peach extracts have hepatoprotective elements and are valuable in the treatment of hepatotoxicity caused by long-term treatment for various diseases such as migraine, tuberculosis and diabetes.
6. Preventing the occurrence of hypokalemia
Dried peaches contain potassium; A substance that plays a vital role for proper nerve signaling and body cell function. Potassium in dried peaches also helps the metabolic processes of the body and the regulation of muscle tissue.
7. Preventing Alzheimer’s
Peach extracts have positive effects on the central cholinergic system. The cholinergic system is a neurotransmitter system that accelerates the learning process. The components in peaches prevent the degeneration of the cholinergic system and thus prevent various disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
8. Dealing with premature aging
Peaches are a source of zinc and have anti-aging properties. Consuming foods rich in zinc, such as peaches, produces antibodies and prevents cell damage caused by free radicals. Also, by increasing the level of reproductive hormone testosterone in the body, it affects the nutrition process of male reproductive organs.
9. Improving the function of the digestive system
Consuming dried peaches is effective for relieving constipation and regulating bowel function. Put 20 to 25 grams of dried peaches in a liter of boiling water for 10 minutes and drink a glass a day after meals. Also, it has recently been proven that dried peach decoction eliminates pumpkin worms and stomach worms.
10. Prevent hair loss
Peaches contain a lot of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants that keep your hair healthy and reduce hair loss.
How to prepare dried peaches
Different methods can be used to dry peaches. The first and most basic method is to use the open space and get help from the sunlight. In general, there are three methods for drying peaches;
- Drying using sunlight
- Drying by oven
- Drying with a fruit dryer
The first method: drying using sunlight
In this method, the fruits should be prepared neither too ripe nor too unripe. First, we wash the peaches well to remove the dirt from them.
Then we remove the core and cut the peaches into small and thin pieces and arrange them on a tray or net; Then put on two big stones or bricks so that they don’t touch the ground.
In the next step, we cover the peaches with a thin net and expose them to the sun.
In order for the fruits to dry well, it is better to put an aluminum sheet under the tray so that the cool night air does not cause the fruit to become wet again.
Second method: drying by oven
To dry peaches in this way, it is better to heat the fruits at a very low temperature to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Cut the fruits in the same way and the same size and put the pieces of fruit in boiling water for 30 seconds; Then put them in ice water so that the skins of the peaches are easily separated.
set the oven at a temperature of 54 to 71 degrees Celsius; Then we cover the oven tray with wax paper and arrange the peach pieces at a distance from each other.
To prevent the fruits from gathering, we place a special round net for pizza on the fruits. Turn the fruits in the oven every two hours so that all parts of the fruit dry evenly.
When the peaches have a leather-like texture and are flexible, they are ready to be taken out of the oven. After removing the dried fruits from the oven, put them in plastic or glass containers and leave the lid open for 4 days to remove the remaining moisture from the fruits.
The third method: drying peaches with a dryer
In this method, we first set the temperature of the machine to 57 degrees Celsius, then cut the fruits and put them inside the drying machine. Fruits stay in the machine for 24 to 48 hours. To prevent the peaches from drying out too much, we turn them upside down every 4 hours.
Methods of preserving dried peaches
After the fruits have cooled, store them in a glass container and put the glass in a cool and dark place. Dried peaches can last up to ten years or more if stored properly.
Nutritional value of dried peaches
Dried peaches have a wide range of nutrients that are necessary for the healthy functioning of the body; It is a rich source of vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, folate and pathotonic.
Eating dried peaches during pregnancy
Peach has a lot of vitamins and minerals and it is necessary to consume it during pregnancy. Vitamin C affects the healthy development of bones, muscles, skin, teeth and blood vessels of the child. Potassium in peach prevents muscle cramps and fatigue during pregnancy.
Summer is the best season to buy peaches, because in this season peaches are at their peak quality and have the best taste and nutritional value.