Dried fruit
Dried fruit (including dried fruit or dried fruit ) is parched fruit with a residual humidity of about 20%. In addition, designated dried fruit special varieties of fruit yielding plant that specifically suitable for the production of dried fruit. The commercially available mixtures of dried fruit are called mixed fruit or baked fruit . A similar product are fruit cubes , in which the fruit is boiled down with sugar.
History of dried fruit
The dried fruit originally comes from the Middle East, especially from Iraq, Iran and Syria, as well as southwestern Turkey. Drying fruit was the first food preservation. Grapes, dates or even figs fell from the vines or trees and were dried by the heat of the sun.
One of the first trees to be cultivated was the date palm. It was grown in Mesopotamia more than 5000 years ago. At that time, the date palm was particularly valued for its productivity, because extrapolated over a year, this tree produces an average of 50 kg of dates over 60 years or more. The people of Mesopotamia dried the dates and used them as candy. They were also used as an accompaniment to meat dishes.
Dried dates were consumed, among other things, because it was believed that they would give the body more energy and fight against fatigue.
Dried figs were equally popular, especially in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Israel. Dried figs have been found in numerous Egyptian tombs, probably as some sort of additive. In Greece, dried figs were considered a staple food for both the poor and the rich.
The cultivation of grapes has its origins in Armenia. There they were buried in the ground to make raisins. This processing spread all over North Africa.
From the Middle East, this preservation spread mainly via Greece to Italy. In Italy, too, dried fruits, especially raisins and figs, became a popular staple food, even a kind of "reward" for successful athletes.
Dried plums, apricots and peaches come from Asia. Originally they come from China and spread to the west. They later made it to Greece and Italy. There they had higher prices and were considered a special accompaniment to delicacies.
Dry variants and the product
Drying or drying is one of the oldest types of conservation . Ripe fruits are slowly dried with little heat, depending on the size in whole pieces or in chopped form. Fruits with pits should be pitted before drying. Drying can be done in special dehydrators or in the oven. An alternative method is drying on a grid in the attic or hanging the items to be dried on a string. If there is sufficient sunlight, the fruits can also be dried outdoors on an air-permeable surface (cotton gauze or gauze ). In any case, the fruits should not touch each other while drying, as they could stick together.
Due to the drying process, the fruits lose moisture, so the microorganisms lack the basis of life water and their percentage sugar content increases, which makes them long-lasting. The increased concentration of flavorings also gives them a more intense taste.
In order to maintain the color of the dried fruit and to prevent rot, industrially produced dried fruit is often sulphurised and / or treated with preservatives before packaging . Sulfur can be a concern for asthmatics and allergy sufferers.
It can be dried at temperatures from 0 to 70 ° C. However, if the temperature is too high, the dry food loses its taste and aroma more quickly, and the first vitamins are destroyed at temperatures of 40 ° C.
Dried fruits are a rich source of vitamins ( A , B1 , B2 , B3 , B5 , B6 ) and minerals ( calcium , iron , magnesium , phosphorus , potassium , sodium , copper , manganese ) with a physiological calorific value of approx. 1,050 kJ (250 kcal ) and about 1 to 5 g protein per 100 g.
Usable fruits
Suitable for drying fruits are apples , pears ( Kletze ) , plums and prunes ( dried plums ) , grapes ( raisins , currants , sultanas , raisins ), strawberries , kiwis , cherries , peaches and apricots and some red berries like cranberries , barberry and rose hip ( which is only ready for harvest after the first frost, but is then as good as dry). Dried dates and figs should be mentioned in particular as tropical fruits ; exotic fruits such as bananas , papayas , pineapples , mangoes , yacon , jackfruit and coconut are also offered in dried form. Dried mulberries are less common .
According to the botanical definition, fruits arise from fertilized flowers. Accordingly, tomatoes are also fruits that can also be dried (using the above methods; with skin; without seeds). They can also be placed in various oils for further storage and flavoring. Dehydrated fruits that fall under this definition are also aubergines , legumes , olives and peppers .
From the point of view of the importer, nuts are also dried fruits.
Use of dried fruit
Dates, figs and raisins were indispensable food for thousands of years when the caravans crossed the desert . Dried fruit was also important for long expeditions or in shipping to protect against scurvy . Up until the middle of the 20th century , dried fruit was one of the most important winter sources of vitamins in the northern regions alongside stored fruit .
In contrast to sweets, the sugar in dried fruit does not get into the blood as quickly, so the metabolism is not additionally burdened and a longer satiety is caused.
The feeling of satiety can be influenced by the water lost during drying and thus the volume or weight. Dried fruits contain more nutrients and energy than fresh products, each based on the same mass. For example, 100 g of fresh apples have a physiological calorific value of around 226 kJ (54 kcal), depending on the variety. When drying, apples lose about 90% of their weight. 100 grams of dried apples correspond to around one kilogram of fresh produce in terms of their energy and nutrient content.
Culinary use
Dried fruit is suitable as a snack , as a side dish and is used in muesli bars , muesli and fruit bars . It is a key ingredient in making fruit bread . The fruit can be placed in water, honey, fruit juice or alcohol and processed with other ingredients to make a filling for roast pork or goose. Dried fruits can also be combined with chocolate in chocolate bars and other products. Dried fruits are also used in preparation with ice.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Trockenfruechte.com History of Dried Fruit.
- ↑ a b Konsumerservice-bayern.de Various information.
- ↑ Testberichte.de Test of dried fruits.
- ↑ Fruitlife.de Summary data including drying methods and advice.
- ↑ Dried fruit information ( Memento of the original from October 9, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English)
- ↑ About Dried Fruit: Nutritional Information ( Memento of February 3, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) (English).
- ↑ Lebensmittellexikon.de Various information.
- ↑ Consumer Service Bavaria, Dried Fruit - Nutritious and Tasty (accessed on February 19, 2016) ( Memento of the original from February 19, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
