Many people know that it is obtained from an apricot during the drying process. But such dried fruits as apricots, kaisa, ashtak and whispers are almost unknown to our compatriots, and all the listed dried fruits are also obtained from apricots. Today we will try to clarify what apricot is, how it differs from other apricot products and how it can be used for health benefits.

What's this?

Apricot is a naturally dried apricot fruit that has not been pitted. The countries of Central Asia are the birthplace of dried fruit: Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan - in these parts, fresh apricot fruits, most suitable for drying in a similar way, are called “apricots”. At home, this fruit is very revered and considered a gift from God.

How is apricot

Iyak, we figured out the name of a dried apricot with a stone. Apricots are obtained from apricots in the most natural, harmless way - in the process of natural drying on or special drying in the shade, while no special substances or devices for drying are used. Sometimes the fruits remain to the last and dry right on the branches, in which case they just need to be collected on time.

Did you know?The apricot tree has long been shrouded in numerous myths and legends. So, according to the biblical version, the apricot tree was the only one that survived after the Great Flood. According to another legend, apricot fruits are the children of the sun descended from the sky. There is also a beautiful myth that an apricot is a plum that the Firebird tasted.

You can also collect ripe, sweet, elastic fruits and dry them under the scorching sun or in the shade on special trays or grates. Usually, small varieties of apricots are suitable for the preparation of this dried fruit, in which the stone is poorly separated from the pulp. The main condition is a high level, which will make the final sweet. However, large sweet varieties can also be used.

Differences from dried apricots and kaisa

The difference between apricots and kaisa, ashtak, sears and dried apricots lies in the features of the drying technology:

  1. Dried apricots are obtained in the process of drying, while the fruits are cut into two halves and the stone is removed.
  2. When preparing kaisa, the stone is removed through a small hole in the apricot, leaving space inside.
  3. Sheptala is a dried apricot.
  4. Ashtak is prepared in the following way: a stone is removed from a fresh fruit, it is dried, and at the end of the process the stone is returned back. It is believed that such a trick gives the dried fruit a unique piquant taste.
  5. To obtain apricots, fresh fruits, along with the bone, are dried naturally.

 The differences between dried fruits do not end there. The final products also differ in color - the “unpresentable” dark brown color of apricots is significantly inferior to the bright orange, appetizing shade of dried apricots. But few people know that in order to give such a juicy color, the fruits are treated with a dangerous gas - sulfur dioxide, and drying is carried out in special ovens or using burners. Ultimately, dried apricots become more “artificial”, poor in quality, and sometimes even dangerous, in contrast to completely natural apricots. Moreover, complex technological process causes a higher price for dried apricots. In Europe, this type of dried apricots has not received recognition and wide distribution, unlike dried apricots. But apricots are highly valued in their homeland - they are little exported and are widely used in the national and folk medicine as a remedy for many.

Composition and calories

As mentioned earlier, this dried fruit, due to the peculiarities of preparation, absolutely does not lose useful substances, and vice versa - becomes their rich concentration.
So, 100 g of apricot contains the following vitamins and nutrients:

  • vitamins A, E;
  • macro- and microelements:,;
  • beta carotene;
  • 17 g of dietary fiber;
  • 18 g of water;
  • as well as saturated fatty acids, organic acids, disaccharides and polysaccharides.
Eating 100 g of dried fruit, you can get more than 240 kcal, as well as 53 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of proteins, and apricot contains practically no fat.

About the benefits of using

A rich set of useful substances is successfully used to maintain health and good condition in children, as well as in childhood.

For kids

By adding this dried fruit to the children's diet, it will be possible to insure against the following ailments:

  • problems with, which is especially important during intensive study;
  • th and infections;
  • and digestive problems.
Possessing a sweet taste, apricots in the composition and baking may well replace harmful white sugar. In addition, compotes can be brewed from it instead of caffeinated black and green.

In cooking

The use of apricots in cooking is very diverse.
So, dried fruit can serve as a spicy additive in the following dishes:

  • meat and vegetable soups, side dishes; in Uzbekistan, dried apricot with a stone is an essential ingredient for cooking;
  • as a filling, apricots are added to pastries: pies and pies, samsa, pancakes;
  • jams and preserves are made from it;
  • Uzvara and infusions are cooked on the basis of apricots.

Did you know?In the countries of Central Asia, apricot pits are by no means thrown away, but are used to make a popular delicacy called« shurdanak» . For this, the bones of the fetus are baked in ash with the addition of. From high temperature, they open, which indicates readiness for use.

Of course, dried fruit can be consumed without adding to dishes, but as an independent delicacy with herbal teas, and baking.

In cosmetology

Regularly using apricots, you can put in order the state,. However, dried fruit is also used topically in care products:

  1. So, apricots can be added to masks for moisturizing and toning. Dried fruit goes well with, oatmeal, egg yolk or cottage cheese. Before use, it can be steamed for a few minutes to soften.
  2. Also, dried fruit can be used in soap making at home. Ready at the same time will have a beautiful golden-pink hue and a pleasant smell.
  3. To prepare the scrub, you can use apricot seeds, crushed in a coffee grinder. However, remember that the scrub at the same time turns out to be rather rough and is only suitable for caring for and feet, but not for tender ones.

 Using apricots at home, you will be completely confident in its natural and healthy composition.

In medicine

One of the main macronutrients in apricots is potassium (K) - a conductor of nerve impulses at the cellular level, due to which dried fruit is used for such ailments:

  • high blood pressure;
  • arrhythmias;
  • increased formation of edema;
  • other disorders of work and blood vessels.
Due to the mild laxative effect, fresh apricots or in the form of infusion are taken to normalize the stool. Due to the high content of beta-carotene, dried fruit protects the body from free radicals, which means it prevents the formation of cancer cells. Vitamin A is formed from beta-carotene, which contributes to the rapid renewal of cells, the healing of wounds and scars. Vitamin A is indispensable for many skin diseases. The use of apricots prevents the deposition of cholesterol plaques on the vessels, therefore it is an excellent prevention of coronary artery disease.

In dietetics

Despite the high calorie content, this product is successfully used in the diet for people who want to normalize their weight. Dried fruit has the ability to burn body fat. And since even a small handful of this dried fruit can saturate well, you won’t be able to overeat it and you can forget about the feeling for a long time. If you decide to give up white sugar, dried apricot can be a great healthy alternative. However, if you buy store-bought dried fruit mixes, check the composition - manufacturers often add sugar to them, which means you should not expect any benefit from this.

Choose a product when buying

As we understand, the benefits of apricots are enormous, but choosing the wrong dried fruit can cause damage and harm to your condition. When choosing a product, remember the following criteria:

  1. Color. This is the main selection criterion. quality product. The color should be dark brown, brown, with a slight coating, as natural as possible. Avoid bright, attractive dried fruits - they have been chemically processed. Remember what kind of autumn the apricots that remained hanging on the tree have - this is the color that a real apricot should have.
  2. Consistency. Naturally dried apricots are slightly hard and firm to the touch. Before use, it must be steamed. By the way, do not pour the water in which the dried fruit soaks into the sink - it can be used as an immunostimulating agent in the autumn-winter period.
    3. it is possible at a temperature of about 20 ° C - in this case it will be usable for up to 2 months. If, however, the temperature is reduced to 10 ° C (for example, by placing the workpiece in and eliminating any contraindications before feasting on dried fruit. family.

Dried fruits contain a lot of valuable minerals, vitamins, organic acids, and dietary fiber. In winter, such a meal will strengthen the immune system in the best possible way. One of the most common types of dried fruits is dried apricots - dried apricots. The product is added to baking and consumed as an independent snack. Many are wondering what benefits and harms an orange fruit can bring? Let's talk about everything in order.

What is dried apricots

Dried apricots are dried apricots. The product is considered the most nutritious among its counterparts. To prepare 150 gr. dried apricots, you need to take 500 gr. fresh raw materials.
Previously, dried apricots were cooked for a long time. First, the apricots were sorted, cut, and pitted. Then they left it to dry in the heat, covering it with a cloth from insects.

Today, dried fruits are produced using a special technology using chemical components. To make dried apricots bright orange with a pleasant sheen, sulfur dioxide must be added to the soaking composition.

Ovens and stoves are used to reduce the drying time. As mentioned earlier, for the manufacture of 150 gr. dried raw materials require 0.5 kg. moderately ripe apricots.

There are the following types of dried fruits:

  • Dried apricots - an apricot is cut into 2 parts, the bones are removed, dried.
  • Kaisa - seeds are removed from whole fruits with a special device, then dried in the sun.
  • Apricot - apricot is washed, prepared, dried with a stone.

Dried fruits, in particular dried apricots, are used everywhere. Most often it is used in traditional medicine, diets, culinary purposes.

Calorie content, composition, nutritional value

  1. Dried apricots belong to the category of dried fruits, most of which is water. For 100 gr. product accounts for 70 gr. liquids. The next leading position is occupied by carbohydrates - about 25.2 g. per 100 gr. dried apricots.
  2. Dietary fiber, in particular fiber, is given about 4 grams. This amount is 1/5 of the daily norm, which is necessary for an adult. Dried apricots contain protein (1.2 g), ash (1 g), fats (0.16 g).
  3. During drying, the apricot loses some of the valuable elements, most often vitamins. However, the most “strong” remain and benefit the human body.
  4. Among the "persistent" vitamins there is retinol, or vitamin A. In 100 gr. dried apricots about 108.68 mg. this substance. Some may think that this amount is not enough. But it takes 13% of the allowable daily allowance for an adult.
  5. Also, in the process of drying, B-group vitamins are preserved. This section includes a whole "bouquet" of irreplaceable compounds. So, pyridoxine, or vitamin B6, is given 0.14 mg. per 100 gr. (6% of the daily requirement). Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is contained in an amount of 0.2 mg.
  6. Dried apricots are also rich in riboflavin (vitamin B2), thiamine (vitamin B1), nicotinic acid (vitamin PP, niacin), ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
  7. The value of dried apricots is due to the accumulation of micro and macro elements. For 100 gr. dried dessert relies 444 mg. potassium - daily rate. Dried fruit is rich in calcium, its 15 mg, magnesium (16 mg), phosphorus (39 mg).
  8. Dried apricots include copper (0.15 mg.), And this is 15% of the allowable daily allowance. Iron in dried fruit 1.6 mg. (9% of the norm), manganese is given 0.1 mg., Zinc - 0.25 mg.
  9. A sufficiently large number of organic acids allows you to saturate the human body with irreplaceable compounds. As for amino acids, they are in excess in dried fruit (isoleucine, tryptophan, threonine, lysine). In total, dried apricots contain 12 amino acids, including 7 essential ones.
  10. Do not forget about fructose, sucrose, glucose, they are given 80% of the total volume of fruits. With such extensive indicators, the calorie content of dried apricots is considered low - 242 Kcal. per 100 gr. To provide the body with the necessary minerals, acids, vitamins, it is enough to eat 5 pcs. per day.

  1. Dried fruits have diuretic properties. For this reason, practitioners prescribe people with kidney disease to take a decoction based on dried apricots. The composition removes sand and small stones from the cavity of the internal organ, and also prevents their further deposition.
  2. The product is used in the preparation of the menu for patients with obesity. Quite often, dried apricots are consumed while following a diet, despite the incoming saccharides and calorie content. In this case, the daily rate is limited to 25 gr. As a result, old waste and harmful cholesterol are removed.
  3. Dried apricots partially thin the blood and prevent thrombosis. It is useful to eat dried fruit for people with varicose veins. Incoming pectin removes heavy metals and radionuclides, dietary fiber accelerates metabolic processes.
  4. To improve digestion, you need to eat half a meal a day. Dried fruits contain 9 times more fiber than fresh apricots. The element controls the activity of the endocrine and cardiovascular systems.
  5. Dried apricots contain many vitamins that increase the protective functions of the body during beriberi. Dried fruits are useful for adults and children to avoid infection with helminths.
  6. The product reduces fever, helps to recover from a serious illness or surgery. Dried apricots relieves headaches and fights frequent migraines, eliminates signs of colds and flu.
  7. Incoming carotenoids have a beneficial effect on human vision. The elements prevent the development of cataracts, lubricate the eyeball and strengthen muscles. This property is highly valued by people with low vision.
  8. Dried apricots increase physical endurance, so dried apricots are often used in the preparation of a diet for athletes. In addition, dried fruit fills the voids in the bones, promotes a rapid set of muscle mass, improves mood and morale.
  9. Fruits affect mental activity, so dried apricots are useful for people who work hard with their heads. Also, dried fruits of this type are included in the menu of schoolchildren and students to increase perception, memory, concentration.
  10. Decoctions with dried apricots remove excess fluid, thereby fighting puffiness. This property is appreciated by people with varicose veins and pregnant girls who are faced with heaviness in the legs.
  11. Dried apricots contribute to the rapid absorption of antibiotics by the blood. If you are taking a course of drugs, include dried fruit in your diet. You need to consume at least 20 gr. daily.
  12. Dried apricots should be given to children in winter and spring. It is at these times of the year that vitamin deficiency occurs. Dried apricots will make up for everything with a vengeance and strengthen the immune system.
  13. Dried fruits of this type have the ability to reduce arterial pressure. For this reason, dried apricots are consumed by hypertensive patients. Hypotension patients should be more careful, the maximum daily amount should not exceed 10 grams.

Permissible daily allowance

It should be remembered that dried apricots are highly concentrated products. It contains 2.5 times more sugar than fresh fruits. Also, if the apricot includes only 2 gr. dietary fiber, then in dried fruit this amount increases to 18 grams. The difference is significant.

An adult who has no contraindications to use should not eat more than 70 grams. dried fruits daily.

At the same time, dried apricots are added to pastries, hot and cold snacks, salads, meat dishes, side dishes. Often, fruit drinks and compotes, jellies, smoothies, etc. are made from dried fruits.

Since the indicator is 242 Kcal. per 100 gr. suggests some restrictions, dieters should not consume more than 4-5 pcs. per day.

  1. For the full development of the child needs a complex of vitamins with mineral compounds, organic acids, dietary fiber. Dried apricots include all of the listed substances.
  2. Incoming compounds are responsible for the transformation of carbohydrates into energy, as a result of which the child is energized. Calcium forms bone and muscle tissue, magnesium supports the work of the heart and brain, iron increases blood circulation.
  3. school children, preschool age and students work hard mentally. To improve thought processes and relieve nervous tension, dried apricots should be eaten daily at 10-15 grams.
  4. Starting from six months, you can gradually introduce dried fruits into the baby's diet. Start cooking low-concentrated compotes without sugar, then give the child 5 ml each.

The benefits of dried apricots for women

  1. Dried apricots are responsible for the normalization of hormonal levels in girls and women. If you eat dried fruit during menstruation, muscle spasms will disappear, hemoglobin levels will be restored.
  2. Women during menopause need to consume dried apricots to reduce the number of "hot flashes" and their rigidity, as well as to normalize the psycho-emotional background.
  3. Dried apricots have mild laxative properties, so they are often used for weight loss. Systematic consumption will cleanse the intestines and prevent slagging.
  4. A large accumulation of "beauty vitamins" of groups A and E is responsible for the health of hair, nails and skin. Dried apricots evens out complexion, fights wrinkles and skin pigmentation, eliminates hair loss and dandruff.
  5. Tocopherol (vitamin E) is considered a natural antioxidant. It has preventive properties of the formation of malignant tumors, and also blocks the access of blood to existing cancer cells.

The benefits of dried apricots for men

  1. Dried apricots are a complete source of fiber. Dietary fiber takes responsibility for the activity of the intestinal tract. This has a beneficial effect on blood circulation in the pelvic organs.
  2. Dried fruit is useful for men to take for the prevention of prostate diseases. Dosed consumption (about 40 grams per day) increases reproductive function and potency.
  3. Dried apricots stimulate the activity of the testicles, increasing the quality and quantity of sperm. As a result, the hormonal background is normalized.
  4. Men are more likely than women to suffer from ailments of the heart and vascular systems. Dried apricots prevent probable diseases, reducing the risk of their development to a minimum.
  5. The benefits for the stronger sex are due to an increase in physical endurance. Therefore, dried fruits must be eaten by people who work hard with their hands and go in for sports.

  1. In the later stages of gestation, a woman often encounters an increase in blood pressure, dried apricots reduce performance.
  2. Regular use of a decoction with the addition of dried apricots relieves swelling of the internal organs, limbs and face.
  3. Most often, women's doctors prohibit taking foods with sugar during pregnancy. But dried apricots are not included in this list.
  4. Dried fruits stabilize the activity of the thyroid gland and the entire endocrine system, control the heart rate.
  5. Pregnant women suffer from constipation, dried apricots affect intestinal motility and have a slight laxative effect.

Harm dried apricots

  1. Abuse of the product can lead to disruption of the digestive tract. There will be diarrhea, bloating, pain in the stomach.
  2. Dried apricots are contraindicated in people with chronic gastrointestinal diseases, allergies to the product, bronchial asthma.
  3. Diabetics are not forbidden to eat dried fruits, but the amount should be dosed. You can consume 2-3 pieces per week. dried apricots.

Dried apricots will not harm the human body if the product is used wisely and contraindications are taken into account. Add dried apricots to your regular meals or use as a snack. Follow the daily norm, introduce dried fruits into the diet of children.

Video: why dried apricots are useful

Today we will tell you about what dried fruits such as apricots and dried apricots are. The difference between these products will also be described in this article. In addition, from it you will learn how they are useful and how they are produced.

general information

Apricot is the fruit of a tree of the same name, which belongs to the plum genus and the rose family. This fruit is very juicy. It is a single-stone fruit, which has a yellowish-red color. The shape of the apricot is round, elliptical or obovate. In the middle it has a longitudinal groove.

The stone of this fruit is thick-walled, rough or smooth. The skin of the apricot is velvety-pubescent and has a yellowish-orange color. As a rule, on one side of this fruit there is almost always a one-sided reddish tan.

In cultivated varieties, the fruit pulp is very juicy and sweet. As for wild-growing apricots, they are more coarse-fibred and have a bitter taste. Most often, the fruits ripen in June-August. At this time of the year, the price of apricots is much lower than in other months.

What is made from apricots?

Dried apricots - all these products have a direct connection. After all, it is from apricot fruits that these dried fruits are made. In addition, juicy and fresh fruits are very often used for cooking. delicious jams, jam and jams. Also, apricot is well suited for preservation in syrup and making juice with pulp.

Apricot and dried apricots: the difference

Both apricots and dried apricots are dried apricots. They can be easily found in a store or market. As a rule, such ingredients are used for the preparation of compotes, pastries, apricot vodka, jam, as well as for ordinary consumption. But not everyone knows the difference between apricots and dried apricots. The difference lies in the way they dry. As we found out above, both presented dried fruits are made from fresh apricots. However, for the production of dried apricots, the fruits are used without stones, and for apricots - with stones.

How is dried apricots made?

Dried apricots are dried pitted apricots. To produce it, you need to take ripe ones and then wash them thoroughly. Next, in the middle of the apricot, you need to make a small incision and carefully remove the stone.

In order for the fruit to be preserved even after it has been dried, the processed fruit should be placed in water to which lemon acid. After a few minutes, the apricot needs to be removed and dried. It is recommended to do this in the oven or under the sun.

Of course, the production method of drying apricots is significantly different from the home method. That is why, after purchasing dried apricots in a store, it should be thoroughly washed, since entrepreneurs often add various chemicals to it to make it look beautiful.

How is the apricot made?

Now you know that dried pitted apricots are called dried apricots. It should be noted that this product is the most popular among consumers. As for apricots, most often they buy it only for making compotes. Due to the presence of a bone, such a product makes homemade drink especially tasty and rich. However, for the preparation of other desserts, it is practically not used. What is it connected with? The fact is that dried apricots have practically no pulp. In this regard, it is quite problematic to use it for the preparation of various desserts or ordinary consumption. However, such a product still has advantages. Its price is much lower than the cost of dried apricots.

How is the apricot made? For its preparation, small and not very fleshy apricots are used. They are thoroughly washed and then dried in special dryers, oven or in the sun. The cooking time of apricots is much higher than dried apricots. After all, a product with a bone dries much longer. By the way, in mass production, chemicals are much less often added to apricots. Therefore it appearance after drying leaves much to be desired. Although it is this fact that makes it more useful and nutritious.

The benefits of dried apricots

Are apricots and dried apricots, the difference between which we discussed above, useful for the body? Of course. Dried apricots are good food for the heart. After all, it contains a lot of potassium salts, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Moreover, the presence of this element helps to increase the level of hemoglobin and regulate blood pressure.

It is desirable to use dried apricots for anemia, during pregnancy and anemia. It should also be noted that dried apricot is able to have a mild laxative effect, and normalize its peristalsis. It cannot be said that the carotene contained in dried apricots is extremely necessary for a person to maintain a good condition of the organs of vision.

The benefits of apricot

In case of circulatory disorders and anemia, apricots should be included in your diet. It contains magnesium salts, which makes it an excellent remedy for hypertension. It should also be noted that in those regions where this product is present in the diet all year round, fractures are very rare in residents. After all, apricot strengthens bone tissue, and also promotes hair growth and skin beauty.

Experts have proven that the use of this dried fruit prevents development. For this, it is enough for a person to consume only 100 g of apricots per day.

Like dried apricots, this product has a diuretic effect. A decoction of it quickly removes puffiness.

Summing up

Now you know the difference between apricots and dried apricots. The two named products are equally beneficial for the human body. It should be said that in Central Asia, local residents consider these dried fruits as gifts from Allah. Poems and fairy tales have even been written about their healing and benefits.

But in order for such products to really have a beneficial effect on the body, they should be chosen correctly. Experts do not recommend chasing glossy and beautiful dried fruits. The worse the product looks, the more likely it is that it does not contain chemicals.

In China (in their historical homeland), apricots have been grown for more than five thousand years, in Europe - about two thousand. Dried apricots without a stone are called dried apricots or kaisa, with a stone - apricots.

Before drying, apricot pits can be removed in two ways. If for this they are cut in half, then the dried fruit is called dried apricots, and if the bone is squeezed out without breaking the peel, it turns out kaisa. Apricots are dried apricots with pits. In Asian countries, however, any variety of fresh apricots is called apricots.

They are dried in special places in a natural shade for 6-8 days. To get a kilogram of dried fruits, you need three to four kilograms of fresh apricots.

The leader in popularity in the Russian market today is, of course, dried apricots. There are much fewer vitamins in dried fruit than in fresh fruit, but the content of minerals (potassium, copper, cobalt, manganese, iron, calcium, phosphorus and others) in it is greater than in many fruits that have just been taken from a tree. Dried apricot contains a lot of organic acids (nicotinic, citric, salicylic) and pectins, which are good at removing radionuclides from the body. The high content of sucrose, fructose and glucose makes dried apricots so sweet.

These dried fruits are especially useful for heart disease, anemia, poor eyesight, as a general tonic. They help to eliminate blockage of blood vessels, rejuvenate the skin, strengthen hair, and even soften hard tumors. Vegetable fibers perfectly cleanse the intestines.

Dried apricot is because it contains a lot of potassium salts, which significantly exceed the level of sodium salts. Magnesium makes it useful for treating hypertension and anemia. There is a lot of vitamin B1,2,5 in dried apricots; FROM; R. Carotene in it is no less than in chicken yolk.

Dried apricots are a concentrated product. If fresh apricots contain 2 grams of fiber per 100g of product, then dry apricots contain 18 grams (that is, 9 times more). Therefore, it must be consumed in reasonable quantities so as not to get or intestines. You can not eat more than 80-100 grams of dried fruits per day. This amount of dried apricots, by the way, has the same effect on the hematopoiesis process as a quarter kilogram of fresh beef liver or 40 mg of an iron preparation.

In Central Asia, dried apricot is called exclusively a gift from Allah, thanks to its healing properties. It is useful in diseases of the nervous system, cleanses blood vessels, treats tumors, helps fight colds (has an antipyretic effect) and migraines. It has tonic properties, helps to cope with chronic fatigue. It is also useful for people who suffer from kidney diseases. The ability of dried apricots to improve memory and stimulate brain activity is known. The iodine included in its composition has a good lipotropic and anticholesterol effect.

Dried apricot is contraindicated in diabetes mellitus. You can not eat these dried fruits on an empty stomach and after indigestible food.

When buying, you need to pay attention to the appearance of dried fruits. The best dried apricots- clean, large, golden, slightly transparent in appearance, medium elasticity and hardness. In color, natural dried apricots should not be bright orange: this color is achieved through dyes. Choose paler fruits that are closest in appearance to fresh fruit.

In cooking, dried apricot has received a very wide application, since it is equally successfully used both in the preparation of desserts and as an original ingredient in meat dishes. Dried apricots are used to make compotes, pilaf, sauces and even soups. It gives the dishes a pleasant sweetish taste and great aroma.

Dried fruits should be stored in a dry dark place.

Apricot is a healthy and nutritious fruit that saturates the body with all the necessary trace elements. But how long to keep it if the juicy pulp quickly deteriorates and disappears? To do this, they learned to preserve the fruits and make dried apricots, which are not inferior in quality to fresh ones.

There are several names for the dried fruit. Depending on the method of its preparation, there are such varieties:

  1. Apricot is the name of a dried apricot with a stone. Dry naturally.
  2. Dried apricots are called dried pitted apricots. Ripe fruits are cut into two parts, the stone is pulled out and dried in hot weather in the shade. To obtain a presentation, sulfur dioxide is used; without it, dried apricots will be pale brown.
  3. Kaisa is a whole dried apricot fruit without a stone, it is carefully taken out through the stalk.
  4. Whispered - an apricot is not cut off from a branch, but dried right on it. It turns out a dried product.
  5. Ashtak is a dried apricot that is different from all others. The bone is carefully taken out, the nucleolus is taken out, at this time the fruit is dried, then the nucleolus is inserted into it.

Any process of drying an apricot takes time and is very labor intensive. Each fruit must be turned over in a timely manner, to monitor the temperature so that mold does not form. But finished product very unusual, healthy and tasty, so worth the cost.

How to dry an apricot

The consumer does not see the difference between dried apricots and dried apricots. In fact, the difference between them is not only in the method of preparation, but also in taste.

How to dry apricots

This does not require any special devices, special electric dryers. It is enough to prepare a wooden flooring, cover it with a natural cloth or newspaper. The fruits are laid out on the surface and wait until they dry naturally. The moisture from the pulp gradually evaporates and the fruit becomes wrinkled.

Important! Apricots should not be dried under the direct rays of the sun at lunchtime, it is better to bring them into the shade so that the fruits do not “burn out”. The best time is morning and afternoon.

If there is not much time to cut off the fruits, then you can leave them on the branches and wait until they wilt in a natural way, get Sheptal, then collect and store in a plastic bag.

How dried apricots are dried

On the shelves of stores, dried apricots look very appetizing, as they have a delicate orange color with a sheen. So it is obtained as a result of treatment with a special composition of sulfur, which is very harmful to the body. Home-cooked dried apricots are brown with no sheen.

Important! When you buy a processed product on the market, you bring home a threat to the health of loved ones, especially children.

How to cook dried apricots at home, in natural conditions:

  1. Sort out apricot fruits, remove spoiled, rotten, unripe, beaten by pests.
  2. Rinse several times under running water.
  3. Divide each fruit into two halves and remove the stone.

Dry on prepared trays, stir occasionally to dry evenly.

Interesting! From 5 kg of fresh apricot, 1 kg of dried apricots is obtained.

Under production conditions, after preparing the fruit, dividing into halves and removing the stone, the apricot is dipped in boiling water for 2 minutes. Then laid out on the surface and fumigated with sulfur dioxide.

What does it give:

  • bacteria, mold, fungi are destroyed;
  • commercial orange color is given;
  • extending the life of the product.

Then the dried apricots are dried in the open air, or in a special oven, in which the temperature is maintained at 50-60 C, air circulation occurs.

Interesting! At home, dried apricots are prepared for up to 7 days, in production - 18 hours.

Some conscientious producers do not fumigate apricots with sulfur; they look like a gray-yellow or brown tint without shine. Such a product is safe for health and will not harm the body (sulfur can accumulate, which is fraught with consequences).

The most useful dried fruit is apricot. Ease of preparation allows you to save the maximum amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Despite the fact that there are more of them in fresh apricots, dried ones also contain micro and macro elements in sufficient quantities.

Nutritional value per 100 g:

  • proteins 0.9 g;
  • fats 0.1 g;
  • carbohydrates 9 g;
  • dietary fiber 2.1 g;
  • water 86.2 g.

Energy value 44 kcal.

Important! The calorie content of 100 g of dried apricots is 215 calories.

When using 100 g of the product, the body receives:

  • potassium 305 mg;
  • calcium 28 mg;
  • phosphorus 26 mg;
  • magnesium 8 mg;
  • silicon 5 mg;
  • sodium 3 mg.

In winter, harvested fruit is a way to completely replenish the body, give strength, and satisfy hunger.

Benefits for children

Fresh apricots can be given from one year old, half a teaspoon. If no allergic reaction is observed, increase to 50 g. In dried form, you can cook compote (300 g of dried apricots per 2.5 liters of water, cook for 7-10 minutes), which helps to cope with colds, strengthens the immune system, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract .

Dried apricots can be given to children from 3 years old instead of sweets, chocolate or caramel, it will be much more useful.

Benefits for adults

The beneficial properties of dried fruits are obvious for men and women. Fruits are able to enhance male potency and libido due to the large amount of magnesium and potassium in the content.

  • vitamin A - improves vision;
  • iron - prevention of anemia, compensates for the lack of iron in the body;
  • fiber - prevents the formation of constipation, improves the functioning of the digestive tract;
  • potassium, magnesium - normalizes the work of the heart and vascular system;
  • fruit acids - have a beneficial effect on the skin, make it supple and fresh.

Is there any harm? A contraindication to use can only be an allergy to apricot. To people suffering diabetes, it is worth taking care to eat dried apricot. Although it is able to replace sweets, but a large amount of sugar content, with a large amount of use, can adversely affect health.

Important! Dried apricots, apricots and kaisa lower blood pressure, so they are contraindicated for hypotensive patients, and are recommended for hypertensive patients.

How to store dried apricot

Storage methods depend on the amount of dried fruit. If you purchased a small amount from a store, you can store it in a glass container or in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

To store a large number of dried apricot fruits, it is recommended to follow certain rules:

  • there should be no air access in the container;
  • the room is dry and ventilated, in order to avoid the formation of mold;
  • air temperature - 10-12 C;
  • direct sunlight is contraindicated.

If the conditions are met, the shelf life of dried fruits is 1 year.

When choosing a product in the market, pay attention to the appearance of the fruit in the store. Bright saturated colors indicate thermal and chemical processing. Dried apricots, kaisa, ashtak - should be of a natural brownish hue. Not damaged by insects, without diaper rash and rot, such dried fruits are not suitable for consumption and are dangerous to health.