Dehydrated fruit is an excellent choice for the complete diet to keep body smart and healthy. It is the best source to overcome the deficiency of fiber, vitamins and minerals quickly. Dehydrated fruits are made through a drying process either natural or mechanical. In this process, the fruits become smaller and more concentrated in flavor keeping most of the nutrients intact.
In the following lines, we will explore the nutritional value and methods of fruit dehydration to identify the benefits of dehydrated fruit.
Nutritional Value
Dehydrated fruit, rich in vitamins and minerals, is a popular snack since centuries due to its long shelf life and portability. They are a great source of fiber, potassium, magnesium, and iron as they retain most of the vitamins and minerals found in fresh fruits; concentration of fiber is higher in dry fruits as compared to fresh fruits. They are added to the numerous recipes for taste and health improvement. Their rich natural sweetness maintains energy level in the body, and helps to avoid artificial sugar intake. While its antioxidants fight against inflammation, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Incorporate Dehydrated Fruit into Your Diet
To enjoy this nutritious option, we can use it with different food. Mix them with nuts and seeds for good taste or sprinkle them over salads for a sweet contrast of fresh greens and savory flavors. Dehydrated fruit is an excellent breakfast companion. It could be added in cereal or yogurt for extra flavor. Moreover dry fruits could be added as a baking ingredient; chopped dried fruits are sprinkled on cookies and muffins for extra flavor and nutrients.
Methods of Dehydration
This is very interesting for the common man to know how fruit is dried. People use different ways to remove water content of fruits to make them dehydrated.
Sun Drying
This is natural and most traditional method of dehydrating fruit. Fruits are exposed to the sun for several days. This process requires continuous bright sunshine for better results.
Air Drying
Warm air is circulated to reduce moisture content of the fruits. This method preserves much of the fruits’ nutrients and flavor.
Oven Drying
This method is quick and convenient; fruits are placed in the oven at low temperatures for several hours to dry.