From Orchard to Table: The Journey of Dried Fruits and Nuts

The act of taking a bite of a sweet, chewy chunk of withered fruit or cracking on a roasted nut is something eternal. Dried nuts and fruits were a component of the human diet thousands of years ago, with a concentrated taste, source of energy, nutrition, and convenience. This post discusses the specialty of dried fruits and nuts, their advantages, production process, and why Malatya Apricot places great pride in delivering quality dried fruits and nuts to our customers worldwide.

What Are Dried Nuts and Fruits?

Dried fruits are fresh fruits that have been dried in some form of drying, such as sun drying, dehydration, freeze drying or air drying. It is dried and thus more resistant to spoilage, natural sugars can be concentrated and it is also lighter and therefore easy to transport and store.

Nuts on the other hand are seeds or kernels covered with hard shells. Almonds, walnuts, hazel nuts, pistachios, cashews and numerous others are of this category. Nuts are usually consumed in raw, roast, salted or combined with other foods. Although they are not actually dry fruits, nuts have most of the same benefits: a long shelf life, a high density of nutrients, they are easy to carry, and they are versatile.

The Nutritional Value of Dried Fruits and Nuts

An excellent nutrient composition is one of the reasons why dried fruits and nuts should be considered part of your diet. Withered fruits provide high-density Vitamins and minerals. Apricots, figs, dates and raisins are rich sources of fiber, antioxidant, potassium and iron as an example. Drying of fruits increases the concentration of sugar and fiber content and other useful plant compounds. That makes them mighty partners in digestion and good health, provided that they are taken in moderation (since the sugars are more condensed).

Nuts contain good nutrients and they assist in promoting heart health, brain activity and constant energy levels. A mixture of dried fruits and nuts produces a snack that is nutritionally balanced, contains natural sweetness, and crunch without matching many processed snacks.

Orchard to Your Table: How They are produced

Knowing the process of how dried fruits and nuts are made will help you to appreciate their quality, and will explain why some products have better flavours, appearances or stay fresher. It usually begins in the orchards or nut farms, where timing to harvest is very important. The fruits should be at the right time to be as tasty as possible, and the nuts should be at the right time to have the kernel in them well grown.

Harvest is followed by sorting and cleaning. Fruits and nuts are only picked out when they are healthy. In the case of fruits, bruised or spotty sections are cut off. The nuts are broken, the kernels are severed and sorted by size, colour, and quality.

Drying methods vary. Conventional sun drying is cheap and offers a natural taste, but is time consuming, and requires weather conditions. Controlled heat and airflow are used in modern dehydration. Freeze drying also preserves more nutrients and colour because it involves removal of water at low temperatures. In nuts, drying at low moisture levels or roasting is recommended to prevent spoilage as well as improve the flavour.

Packaging is also key. Having them well sealed, maintained at a low humidity and oxygen level, with food safe materials assists in preserving the flavour, taste, and are one of the reasons why dried fruits and nuts are safe and retains their flavour and good taste without developing rancidity. In our company, we are attentive at all the stages. Our raw fruits and nuts are of the highest quality, our processing is hygienic and we pack to ensure freshness so that you get the best product possible.

Health Advantages That You ought to know

Eating a lot of dried fruits and nuts has numerous health advantages. They contribute to digestion with the help of fibre, allow controlling weight due to their satiating effect, contribute to energy production due to their healthy fats and carbohydrates. The iron also prevents anaemia.

Dried fruits and nuts are a good addition to the daily diets due to the nutrient density. They are just right as snacks or trail mixes, sprinkle beautifully on the breakfast, and are also used in cooking and baking. Not only do they act as a natural sweetener in foods where added sugar is present, but they add texture and add taste into both sweet and Savory foods.

Weight, Portion and Moderation

Despite all the advantages, dried fruits and nuts have high calorie content. The calories of dried fruits are more concentrated because of the removal of water in the fruits. On the same note, nuts contain lots of fats, although they contain healthy fats. To individuals that are mindful of their calorie consumption, or blood sugar readings, it is important to notice the size of portions. A handful of nuts, or a couple of pieces of dried fruit, are not very far to go. Dried fruits and nuts can be eaten with other products such as yogurt or fresh fruit and become even better and more convenient to incorporate into your diet. It is also prudent to select the unsweetened and dry fruits and nuts that are either unsalted or have low salt content since this prevents unnecessary added sugar and sodium.

Final Thoughts

Fruits and nuts are not only snacks. They are concentrated treasures of nature, full of nutrients, taste and flexibility. They blend in with good food, traveling, gifting, cooking and snacking. Nevertheless, the difference is in selecting quality products, eating them in a moderate manner, and storing them in the proper way.

We at Malatya Apricot are determined to receive the best dried fruits and nuts ever grown in orchards, processed with care and delivered with freshness. As you select our products you are selecting pure flavour, pure health value and a history of quality all the way Malatya to your table.