When we hear the word ‘Apple’, juicy fruit comes to our mind. Children, adults or even old age people love to eat this nutritious fruit. But some people love to eat Apples in DRY form. Dried Apples are made by removing water content from the fruit. There are many ways to dry them. Other than apples, numerous other fruits, like dates, raisins, figs etc., are also dried in the sun naturally or by using dehydrators. Today, dried apples or other fruits are consumed largely.
Methods Of Dehydrating
Fruits can be divided into halves, slices or can be dried as a whole. 4 main methods are mostly used around the world for drying apples and many other fruits:
1. Sun Drying
The most commonly used method is Sun Drying. Core of apples are removed and thin slices are placed in the sun. This is a slow process but inexpensive as it requires only thermal source from the sun.
2. Tray Drying
This method of drying is similar to convection drier. Slices of fruits are placed on trays in rows and then these trays are popped into the oven. This method is common in industries where large number of fruits are to be dried.
3. Freeze Drying
Fruits like apples, peaches, mangoes or pears, which have high water content, are best preserved by using this method. Fruits are freeze first and then heat is added so that frozen water in fruit is neutralized.
4. Vacuum Microwave Drying
In Vacuum Microwave Drying, the fruit takes less time to dry. In this dehydration process, the radiations of microwave generate heat at high pressure that causes evaporation of water molecules from the fruits. The vacuum dehydration maintains texture, color and taste of the fruits.
Nutritional Profile Of Dried Apples
Dried apples are popular munching snacks nowadays, almost all over the world. Let’s look at the nutritional profile of these:
Serving Size: 1 Oz (5 rings)
Total Calories: 69
Fat: 0.1 Gm
Cholestrol: 0 mg
Sodium: 24.7 mg
Dietry Fiber: 2.5 gm
Sugars: 16.2 gm
Protein: 0.3 gm
Vitamin C: 1.1 mg
Iron: 0.4 mg
Calcium: 4 mg
Benefits Of Dried Apples
Dried apples have almost same benefits as that of fresh fruits. The following are some of the benefits:
1. Good Source of Fiber
Fresh apples as well as dried are best source of Fiber. Dried apples have 2.5gm of Fiber. Fibers help to regulate digestive track processes. Fibers are also essential for our body for providing energy.
2. Antioxidants
Dried apples are great antioxidants. The special antioxidant called Polyphenols are present which reduces risk of many diseases. Antioxidants improve the blood flow and also helps to minimize oxidant damages in our body.
3. High Calories and Sugars
All the water content from dried apples are evaporated, so they have concentrated form of sugars and calories. We can say that, these are smaller packets of sugars and calories. One slice of dried apple is equal to almost 2 slices of fresh apple, in its nutritional value.
4. Vitamins and Minerals
Apples in dried form are rich in vitamins and minerals. These vitamin and minerals have same health benefits as that of present in fresh one.
Xi'an Forward Trading Company is processors, packagers and distributors of apple we have established long business cooperation with80 dried apple planters, covering200hectare of apple orchards inShaanxi Province, China. If you are intrested in dried apple and would like to lean more, welcome to contact us @ email: sales@driedfruitsnack.com and WhatsApp: +8613991488775
