Dried fruit

Dried fruit (including dried fruit or dried fruit ) is parched fruit with a residual moisture content of about 20%. In addition, dried fruit called special varieties of fruit delivered plant that explicitly suitable for the production of dried fruit. The commercially available mixtures of dried fruit are referred to as mixed fruit or dried fruit. A similar product is fruit cube where the fruit is cooked with the sugar.

History of dried fruit

Originally, the dried fruit from the Middle East, especially from Iraq, Iran and Syria, and the Southwest of Turkey. The drying of fruit was the first preservation of food. Grapes, dates or figs falling from the vines or trees and were dried by the heat of the sun. Even then, the dried fruit were very popular among collectors and hunters, because they were durable, and beyond, they also had a pleasant sweet taste.

One of the first cultivated trees was the date palm. More than 5000 years ago, it was grown in Mesopotamia. The date palm was then highly revered for their productivity, as extrapolated to one year brings this tree on average 50 kg and this dates out more about a full 60 years or more. The villagers of Mesopotamia dried the dates and used them as candy. They were also often used as a garnish for meat dishes.

Even in travelers the dried dates were highly regarded because it was believed, they would help the body more energy and fight fatigue.

Equally popular were dried figs; especially in Mesopotamia, Egypt and Israel. They found dried figs in many Egyptian tombs, probably as a kind of addition. In Greece, dried figs were regarded as a staple food both poor and rich.

The cultivation of grapes has its origin in Armenia. There you have it buried in the ground to make them into raisins. This processing spread throughout North Africa.

From the Middle East this Haltbarmachug spread mainly through Greece to Italy. Also in Italy were dried fruits, especially raisins and figs, a popular staple food, to a kind of " reward" for successful athletes.

From Asia come dried plums, apricots and peaches. Originally they come from China and spread west. Later they came to Greece and Italy. There, they were still very expensive, but were regarded as a special side dish for delicacies.

Dry versions and the product

Drying or Drying is one of the oldest types of preservation. Ripe fruits are slowly dried at low heat, depending on the size in whole pieces or crushed form. Fruits with seeds should be seeded prior to drying. The drying can be carried out in special devices dehydrator or in the oven. An alternative method is to dry on a rack in the attic or hanging the dried material on a string. With sufficient sunlight, the fruits can be dried in an air-permeable pad ( cotton gauze or cheesecloth ) and outdoors. In any case, the fruits should not touch during drying, as they may stick together.

By Drying lose the fruits of moisture and its percentage sugar content increases, making them longer time preserved ( one hand missing the microorganisms livelihood water, on the other hand is further complicated by the increased sugar concentration and the hygroscopic effect of sugar water absorption; see also osmosis ). The increased concentration of flavors they also get a more intense flavor.

To get the color of dried fruits and to prevent rot, industrially produced dried fruit is often sulfurized before packing and / or treated with preservatives. Sulfur can be of concern for asthmatics and allergy sufferers.

Can be dried at temperatures of 0 to 70 ° C. At high temperatures, the dry material loses flavor and aroma but faster and already at temperatures of 40 ° C first vitamins are destroyed.

Dried fruits are a rich vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6) and mineral source ( calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, copper, manganese ), about 250 calories, and about 1-5 g of protein per 100 g

Acceptable fruits

Dry fruit suitable apples, pears are ( Kletze ), plums and prunes (dried plums ), grapes ( raisins, currants, sultanas, raisins ), strawberries, kiwis, cherries, peaches and apricots and some red berries such as cranberries, barberry and rose hip ( but is ready for harvest after the first frost, then already is as good as dry). At tropical fruits especially dried dates and figs are to call, there are also exotic fruits such as bananas, papayas, pineapples, mangoes, jackfruit and coconut available in dried form. Rare dried mulberries are available.

After botanical definition arise fruits from pollinated flowers. Accordingly, also tomato fruits, which can also be dried ( according to the above methods, with skin; without seeds ). You may also be inserted for further storage and flavoring in various oils. This definition falling, dryable fruits are the following: eggplant, legumes, olives and peppers

From the perspective of the importer bowl of fruit is also among the dried fruits.

Use of dry fruits

Dates, figs and raisins were over thousands of indispensable food in the desert crossings of the caravans. Also for long expeditions or in shipping dried fruit was important to protect yourself against scurvy. Up until the mid 20th century was dried fruit bearing fruit next to one of the main sources of vitamin wintry northern regions.

The sugar of the dry Obst is unlike candy not so quickly into the blood, thus the metabolism is not much stress and it is a longer saturation effects.

By lost in drying previous water and thus the volume or weight satiety can be influenced. It is with dried fruits more nutrients and calories ( for the same weight ) than with fresh produce. Thus, 100 g of fresh apples an energy content of 226 kJ (54 kcal), dried apples, however, have up to 1067 kJ (255 kcal ) per 100 g

Culinary use

Dried fruit is suitable as a snack, as a side dish and is used in muesli bars, muesli and fruit slices. It is a main ingredient in the preparation of fruit bread. The fruit can be soaked in water, fruit juice or alcohol and processed with other ingredients to form a stuffing for pork or goose. Dried fruits can also be combined with chocolate in chocolate and other products. Also in the preparation with dried fruit ice application.