WHERE IT ALL BEGAN! The History of Dry fruits..
If you are like most people & dried fruit is your favourite snack. Have you ever puzzled about how the concept of drying came about? Drying fruit has been practised for centuries and it is the process of extracting most of the water content from the fruit. In ancient times when fresh fruit was difficult to preserve, dried fruit stood in situ of fresh fruit. The basic idea of drying fruit was to preserve it as dry fruits last much longer than fresh fruits and is much easier to store. It’s sweeter than fresh fruit because the natural sugar is more concentrated.
A brief history of dry fruits: In the mid-1800s, Spanish missionaries introduced California to the way of grape production & the first major California raisin crop was planted. To this day, raisins are the most common dried fruit consumed all over the world. Raisins & date syrups were used as sweeteners. Mesopotamian tablets dating to about 1500 BC mention written recipes for making dried fruits. Dried fruits were mentioned in ancient recipes as bread flavourings.
Dried apricots, dates, figs & raisins have been a staple of the Mediterranean diet for centuries. Sun-dried fallen figs & dates were collected by early hunter-gathers, and naturally preserved fruit was valued for its concentrated nutrients & sweetness.
Dried fruit has a much longer shelf life than fresh fruit; for example, a fresh fig may only last about a week on the counter, whereas a dried fig can last up to a year and still be edible! Other uses for dried fruit include incorporating them into a variety of recipes and keeping some on hand in an emergency go-bag.
What is the Best Time to Consume Nuts?
We’ll Figure It Out! Nuts should be consumed first thing in the morning if you want to get the most out of them. Nuts, when eaten with breakfast, will help you avoid exhaustion and maintain a healthy blood pressure level in your body. They also aid in the removal of bad cholesterol from the bloodstream and enhance the health of your core. Nuts and dry fruits, according to experts, are some of the healthiest snack choices available. Since certain nuts are rich in fats, they can only be eaten in small amounts.
How Many Dried Nuts Should You Consume during the day?
One fistful of nuts should be consumed once a day in the diet. It should be about 20-25 nuts a day, which you can split into various time periods and timings. So, it’s not just the kind of nuts you should be careful of; it’s the timings that will help you achieve your goals.
Benefits of consuming dry fruits:
Boost immunity:
Dry fruits are high in essential oils, proteins, potassium, and calcium, all of which help to boost your immunity. Furthermore, the presence of antioxidants in it can aid in the fight against a variety of infections and illnesses.
Helps to lose weight :
If you eat them in moderation, dry fruits and nuts can help you lose weight. They are high in proteins and essential oils while being low in fat, carbohydrates, and sugar.
Keeps your skin healthy:
Who doesn’t want to look beautiful and young? Dry fruits can help you achieve this while also keeping your skin radiant and glowing. They are high in essential oils and antioxidants, which aid in the regeneration of healthy skin and the prevention of ageing.
Helps to prevent cancer:
Almonds and cashew nuts are known to prevent breast cancer They are high in antioxidants and phytonutrients, which prevent cancer-causing cells from dividing.
Maintain a healthy heart:
Dry fruits, in particular, have been shown to lower cholesterol and normalize blood pressure. They also lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other conditions.
Healthy bones:
Dry fruits are high in proteins, calcium, and other micronutrients that help to keep bones healthy and strong.
Fight against stress and depression :
Dry fruits are extremely beneficial in the treatment of depression and stress. They also improve brain health and memory.