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Dried organic apricot. It is dark because it has not been treated with sulfur dioxide (E220).
Dried fruit is fruit that has been dried, either naturally or through use of a machine, such as a food dehydrator. Raisins, prunes and dates are examples of popular dried fruits. Other fruits that may be dried include apples, apricots, bananas, cranberries, figs, kiwi, mangoes, pawpaw, peaches, pears, persimmons, pineapples, strawberries and tomatoes.
Dried fruit has a long shelf life and therefore can provide a good alternate to fresh fruit, allowing out of season fruits to be available. Drying is a good way to preserve fruit in the absence of refrigeration. Dried fruit is often added to baking mixes and breakfast cereals.
Dried fruits are rich in vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, B6, pantothenic acid) and dietary minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, copper, manganese). They contain approximately 250 calories and 1 - 5g of protein per 100g depending on the fruit. [1][2].
Due to the water loss experienced during dehydration, which may be as high as 7 parts out of eight, dried fruit has a stronger, more intense flavour. However the drying process also destroys most of the Vitamin C in the food, so that the dried version of the fruit has only a fraction of the levels of Vitamin C that would exist in the fruit if it were fresh.
Commercially prepared dried fruit may contain added sulfur dioxide which can trigger asthma in sensitive individuals, though dried fruit without sulfur dioxide is also available, particularly in health stores. The sulfur is added to "fix" the color of the product. "Organic" dried fruit is produced without sulfur which results in dark fruit and the flavour is much more characteristic of the fresh fruit. The color of some fruits can also be "fixed" to some extent, with minimal impact on flavour, by treating the freshly cut fruit with a preparation rich in Vitamin C (e.g., a mixture of water and lemon juice) for a few minutes prior to drying.
In addition to dried whole fruits, fruit purée can be dried to make fruit leather.
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About Dried Fruit: Nutritional Information
About Dried Fruit | Dried Fruits | Nutritional Information | Dried Fruit & Its Uses | Pregnancy
Approximately 4-5lbs of fresh grapes will produce 1lb of either sultanas, raisins or currants and are, therefore, packed with goodness. Tree fruits are also immensely nutritious with 1lb of dried tree fruit equal to approximately 6lbs of the equivalent fruit fresh. These dried fruits are rich in the easily absorbable fruit sugars; fructose and glucose, which provide a constant source of energy. The sugars have an alkaline reaction and neutralise the acids formed in the body by other foods such as meat and eggs. Dried fruits have large amounts of vitamins and minerals and a high fibre content:
PER 100G
Approximately 4-5lbs of fresh grapes will produce 1lb of either sultanas, raisins or currants and are, therefore, packed with goodness. Tree fruits are also immensely nutritious with 1lb of dried tree fruit equal to approximately 6lbs of the equivalent fruit fresh. These dried fruits are rich in the easily absorbable fruit sugars; fructose and glucose, which provide a constant source of energy. The sugars have an alkaline reaction and neutralise the acids formed in the body by other foods such as meat and eggs. Dried fruits have large amounts of vitamins and minerals and a high fibre content:
PER 100G
(AS PART OF A CALORIE CONTROLLED DIET
Dried Fruit is a carbohydrate, high in dietary fibre and containing virtually no fat and cholesterol. It makes the perfect alternative
sweetener and contains the following calories per 100g: