Dried fruit is fruit where the majority of the water has been dehydrated out of the fruit either by the sun or by a dehydrating machine. Dried fruit dates back to the fourth millennium BC in Mesopotamia. It was highly valued for its taste, nutrients and long shelf life. Today the same is true. Nearly half of all the dried fruit sold is raisins. The raisin is considered a traditional dried fruit because it is dried naturally in the sun. Cranberries, blueberries, cherries, strawberries and mango are infused with a sweetener before drying.
The earliest mention of dried fruit goes back to Mesopotamia. Ancient tablets describe recipes for breads and cakes using dried fruit to sweeten. Dried fruit was also part of the Egyptian, Arabic, Roman, Greek and Mediterranean diet. Various recipes mixed dried fruits with spices and honey in breads and cakes
In ancient China silk, ware and dried fruits were considered
costly gifts. And dried fruit was a duty bound gift to a newly-married couple.
The symbol of the dried fruit was good wishes for the future marriage. For
example the dried pear symbolized wishes
for spouses to be always together, dried apricots meant a wish of success and
well-being and as the apricot was a yellow-orange color representing the color
of nobility they were a noble gift.. The dried cherry meant wishes for more
tenderness in the relations, wishes for a young and youthful spirit and to show
a sense of caring about a friend or lover.
The cultivation of grapes began in Armenia and the Eastern
regions of the Mediterranean in the 4th century B.C. Raisins were
manufactured by burying the grapes in the sand beneath the desert sun. Quickly drying fruit,
using the sun, spread across Northern Africa. The Phoenicians and the Egyptians
popularized raisin production most likely because of their ideal climate for
drying the grapes. They stored them in jars and allotted them to the temples.
They also included raisins in breads and pastries that were made with honey,
milk and eggs.
Raisins were highly prized and traded as valuable
commodities. Although they are higher in sugar content than non-dried fruit;
dried fruits supply plenty of nutrients, fiber and sweetness. Used in breads
and and baked goods, sugar can be reduced while getting a supply of vitamins
and minerals for bone health, cardiovascular health, oral health, intestinal
health, weight management and meeting the standards for a healthy diet.
In 1754 – George Washington begins his long
residence at Mount Vernon. Raisins were a staple at the dinner table. Martha
Washington prepared what she called a "plumb broth" made of marrow
bones, bread, sugar, raisins, and currants. George proclaims it "the
greatest success achieved by Mrs. Washington since our marriage." Now
that’s a recipe for love!
An ancient Chinese philosopher once said:
"Dried
fruits are fruit learnt wisdom."
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