How healthy are dried apricots؟
In this article, we are going to discuss the properties of dried apricots and the factors that affect the wholesale purchase and sale of dried apricots.
Both the calorie content and the sugar content of dried apricots are significantly higher compared to fresh fruits, since they no longer contain water. Therefore, for the same amount of fruit, the ratio of fructose and therefore calories also increases. While fresh apricots contain about 8 grams of sugar per 100 grams, dried fruits contain about 53 grams of fructose.
However, the removal of water also means that the nutrient content of dried apricots is almost five times that of fresh apricots at the same level.
Dried fruits especially improve digestion due to their high fiber content. However, this also means that consuming too much dried apricots can have a laxative effect. It is recommended not to exceed the amount of about 40 grams of dried fruit per day.
Sulfur-free and sulfur-free dried apricots are available. In recent products, sulfur is added in the form of sulfur dioxide or sulfite salts. This prevents the fruit from browning quickly and increases its shelf life. As a rule, sulphurized dried fruits are also well tolerated. However, some people suffer from an allergy to sulfur or cannot break it down due to an enzyme deficiency.
Among other things, this can cause allergic reactions and nausea, vomiting or headaches if sulfur is not broken down sufficiently.
How many calories are in a dried apricot?
100 grams of fresh apricots contain about 43 kilocalories (kcal) or 180 kJ. The same amount of dried apricots is 241 kcal or 1009 kJ.
Nutritional value per 100 grams of dried apricots:
Calories: 266 kcal
Fat: 0.5 grams
Carbohydrates: 54 grams
Egg white: 2.5 grams
Fiber: 7 grams
Properties of dried apricots
Dried apricots have some special properties that distinguish them from fresh apricots.
Dried apricots contain a lot of vitamins with a high concentration. Therefore, they are healthy for the human organism. But be careful: dried apricots are very high in sugar!
Apricots are rich in antioxidants that protect your cells from oxidative stress. In addition, these chemicals strengthen your immune system.
On the other hand, the nutrients vitamin A, iron, magnesium, and potassium found in apricots are good for eyes and skin, as well as for heart function.
Vitamins B2, B1, phosphorus and vitamin C support your energy metabolism and have a positive effect on your immune system.
Nutrients are also responsible for purifying your body.
Because dried apricot also has diuretic and purifying properties.
Thanks to the high content of salicylic acid, the bacteria found in the digestive tract are destroyed.
Unlike fresh apricots, dried apricots are much healthier. Because the drying process is responsible for the fact that dried fruit has a much higher concentration of nutrients.
For example, 100 grams of dried apricots can contain five times more potassium than fresh apricots.
Some features of dried apricots:
*Texture: Dried apricots have a soft and chewy texture. During the drying process, the fruit loses its water and becomes harder.
*Sweet taste: The drying process concentrates the natural sugars in the apricot and gives it a sweet and intense taste. Its sweetness can be of different types
*Intense aroma: Dried apricots have a spicy and fruity aroma that thickens during the drying process.
Prepare apricots for drying
Use only ripe fruits that are sweet enough. Only then will you get delicious and high-quality dried fruit. Before starting the actual drying process, a few preliminary tasks await you:
First, remove damaged and excessively soft fruits.
Wash the apricots thoroughly under running water.
Dry the fruit with a paper towel.
Using a sharp knife, cut each apricot along its natural “seam” and remove the stone.
Cut the apricots into equal pieces or slices
*Intense aroma: Dried apricots have a spicy and fruity aroma that thickens during the drying process.
Prepare apricots for drying
Use only ripe fruits that are sweet enough. Only then will you get delicious and high-quality dried fruit. Before starting the actual drying process, a few preliminary tasks await you:
First, remove damaged and excessively soft fruits.
Wash the apricots thoroughly under running water.
Dry the fruit with a paper towel.
Using a sharp knife, cut each apricot along its natural “seam” and remove the stone.
Cut the apricots into equal pieces or slices
Apricot drying methods
There are green ways to dry apricots:
*in the air
in the oven
In the dehydrator
Air dried apricots
If it allows, you can dry apricots in warm air.
Thread the fruit on a string
In between the distance
Hang in a sunny and airy place
Let it dry for about two days
Dry in the oven
Fresh apricots dry even faster in the oven. The individual steps are described below:
Cover the baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread the fruits on the tray. Individual parts should not touch each other.
Dry the fruit at 75 degrees Celsius with high and low heat. Leave the oven door open to let the moisture out.
Drying time can take from 3 to 10 hours depending on the size of the pieces.
Drying in a dehydrator
If you want to dry fruit further, it may be worth buying a dehydrator. You can use it to dry several layers of fruit at the same time. Drying is done at low temperatures and is therefore very gentle. You can find detailed information about the process in the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
tip:
1. If the dried apricot is bright orange in color, it has been treated with sulfur dioxide, which may cause poisoning in some people who are allergic to sulfur; Otherwise, if the fruit is completely organic, it will have a darker color and a rougher surface.
2.. Never eat apricots in the morning on an empty stomach because it causes heartache
