Dried Fruit is what we here at the shop take with us when we are on the go. Especially when we are out with the whole family, dried fruit is a snack that pleases everyone. It has also been known, when properly shared, to make friends with complete strangers. Napa Nuts will make no guarantees on this last claim, but here are 6 things that we can be sure about why dried fruit is the perfect snack.
1. It's just fruit
Dried fruit, like the name implies is just fruit. Eating a serving of dried fruit also counts as eating a serving of fruit. Eating more fruit and vegetables is what most doctors recommend to be healthy.
Real Simple also notes that because the fruit is shrunk in the drying process, it also concentrates the nutrients within. You can then consume all of the healthy benefits of fruit faster.
2. Dried Fruit saves space
Dried fruit is about 75% of the volume of the regular fruit. Our Snapware jugs hold over 5 pounds of dried fruit. Think about how much counter space 5 pounds of apricots would occupy. And then when you try to stack the fresh fruit, the ones on the bottom tend to bruise.
Many of us use the jugs at home for their convenience. We also love having dried fruit ready to go, and at a place we can grab it easily.
3. Dried Fruit has a longer shelf life
Dried fruit is best consumed as soon as you get it home. But it lasts for weeks to months at room temperature if stored correctly. We always recommend an airtight container to avoid oxidation and to keep the remaining moisture in the fruit. Storing fruit in a cool dry place out of sunlight will keep your items soft and chewy instead of a bit leathery. Dried fruit can certainly be used to make homemade fruit leather, but we prefer that be your option, not the only choice.
4. Dried fruit is high in fiber
Because dried fruit maintains everything that was in the fruit to begin with (except the water of course) dried fruit contains all the fiber of a regular piece of fruit. In fact prunes, which are dried plums, are well known for being high in fiber and the effects from eating higher amounts of fiber. It is interesting to note, however, that for fiber content, dried dates and dried apricots are actually higher in fiber. So people actually have a few great tasting options for packing more fiber into their diets.
5. Baking with dried fruit is easy
The traditional oatmeal raisin cookie is a good example. Both oatmeal and raisins are things that many people have on their shelves, so this one has long been a staple in many kitchens.
This is also an easy recipe to change by swapping out the raisins for dried cranberries or dried cherries.
There are a staggering number of other recipes that also use dried fruit. The dried fruit can be a great topping for some savory dishes to add a bit of sweetness. Diced fruits are also great in breads and cakes. Any search for [your favorite fruit]+”bread recipe” will turn up many choices.
6. Tastes good
To end on a simple note, dried fruit is just full of flavor. All of the sweetness of regular fruit is there, but just a bit more concentrated. Experts do warn not to eat too much, as it is easy to get carried away. It does taste like candy, but candy doesn’t grow on trees.