Three ways to include dried apricots in your diet. In the mid-afternoon and after dinner, when we crave sweets or treats, we often consume ultra-processed and unhealthy products, especially if we don't have a very active lifestyle. In these cases, the best advice isn't to give up something delicious, but rather to replace that treat with something much more natural. In this post, we'll talk about dried apricots (although this also applies to dried peaches , or even raisins or dates , though the latter to a lesser extent).
And how are dried apricots made? The process of dehydrating apricots to make dried apricots on an industrial scale usually follows these steps:
- Reception and selection: Fresh apricots are received at the factory and a selection is made to ensure that they are in good condition and free from defects.
- Washing: Apricots are carefully washed to remove any dirt, debris, or surface impurities. This can be done using industrial washing machines with running water and soft brushes.
- Pitting and cutting: Apricots are pitted and cut into halves or smaller pieces depending on production requirements. This can be done manually or using specialized machinery.
- Optional pre-treatment: You can choose to blanch the apricots to preserve their color and texture. This is done by immersing them in boiling water for a short time and then cooling them quickly.
- Drying: The prepared apricots are placed on special trays or racks designed for food dehydration. These trays are then placed in dehydrating dryers or tunnels, where hot air is circulated to remove moisture from the apricots.
- Quality control: During the dehydration process, quality controls are carried out to ensure that the apricots meet established standards. This involves visual inspection of the dried apricots and verification of their moisture, texture, and flavor.
- Cooling and Conditioning: Once the apricots are completely dehydrated, they are removed from the dryers and cooled to stop the dehydration process. They are then conditioned and packaged according to the final product requirements.
These steps we've listed can easily be replicated at home, as they don't require any special equipment or complex processes. So, if you're feeling adventurous, you can make your own homemade dried apricots.
As a snack
As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, dried apricots can be excellent substitutes for less healthy products like candy, sweets, or potato chips. We can eat them chopped or whole in moderate amounts (4 or 5 pieces) as is. This will provide us with benefits such as fiber and an extra boost of energy.
At a light dinner
If you want to lighten up your dinners, we recommend this super quick and easy recipe that includes dried apricots. It's as simple as pouring natural yogurt into a bowl and adding chopped dried apricots. Optionally, you can add some nuts like walnuts . This preparation takes no more than two minutes and will leave you feeling full and confident that you've eaten healthy ingredients that are good for your body.
Side dish for meats
Another widespread use for dried apricots is as an ingredient in fillings or sauces, generally with meats. We recommend them as a filling, as they provide an interesting sweet and savory contrast that is sure to impress.
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