What are dried fruits? They're healthy, but be careful not to eat too much.

I completed graduate school and found a job in my hometown where I was born and raised. My job is a writer for a community-based publishing company, writing business-related articles. Leveraging my economics background from university, I sometimes handle financial articles. My job is incredibly fulfilling. I genuinely believe there's no better job, and I have pride in doing work that only I can do. Then, my boss gave me an outrageous new assignment.

"I want you to train the next generation."
With that single command, I was assigned to a department responsible for culture-related articles targeting homemakers. Of course, I would still have a boss above me, but I would primarily be in charge of leading the department.

"Sigh..."
As I sighed in the cafeteria, a male colleague, my同期, laughed and patted me on the shoulder.

"You got promoted, so don't be sighing. By the way, what's your first assignment?"
He said, laughing, as he dug into his hamburg steak set meal.

"Dried fruits."
Upon hearing that, my colleague almost choked on his hamburg steak.

"Don't you dare make fun of me."
I shoved the last bite of my sandwich into my mouth and stood up. Just as I was about to leave the cafeteria, I heard a female colleague's voice calling out to me from behind.

"Um... I'll be working with you starting this month! I've always wanted to work with you! I'm also in charge of a new series starting this month..."

"Is that so? Nice to meet you. So, what are you writing about?"

"Dried vegetables! I'm so excited already!"
She said, her cheeks turning pink as she shyly smiled.

"Oh, really..."
She bowed politely to me and then ran off towards the office.

"So, I have a cute junior now, huh?"
I immediately returned to the office and began working on the dried fruit article I was assigned.

"What exactly are dried fruits?" There were mountains of literature to answer my ignorance. Dried fruits are, as the name suggests, a general term for foods made by drying fruits, and a major characteristic is their concentrated nutrition. However, since the sugar content in fruits is also concentrated, it's important not to eat too much. What surprised me when researching dried fruits was that they can be made at home. To my embarrassment, I had assumed that dried fruits were something you bought at the supermarket. There are several ways to make them...

"Alright! This looks like it'll be a rewarding research project!"

I straightened my back at my computer, not caring that the office clock showed five minutes until quitting time. This is the memorable first day of my journey with dried fruits.

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Episode 2: What are dried fruits? Healthy, but be careful not to eat too much

What are Dried Fruits?

Dried fruits are foods made by drying fruits to remove their moisture. Drying concentrates the sweetness, umami, and aroma of the fruit, allowing them to be stored for longer periods at room temperature. It originated as a culinary practice to preserve fruits for extended periods and is enjoyed worldwide.

By drying, the fruit's flavor becomes even deeper, and a natural sweetness spreads in your mouth with every bite. The ability to enjoy the fruit's original flavor without added sugar or additives is one of the reasons for its popularity.

Nutritional and Sugar Characteristics

A major characteristic of dried fruits is that "nutrients are concentrated." As moisture is removed, nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber are contained in higher density than in fresh fruits. They are particularly rich in dietary fiber, which has benefits such as improving gut health and promoting a feeling of fullness.

However, due to the concentration of sugar in fruits through drying, it is important to be careful not to overeat. For example, if one apple is dried whole, even though it looks small, the sugar content is almost the same. If you judge by appearance, you might unintentionally increase your intake.
Therefore, incorporating a small amount daily into snacks or breakfast creates a good balance.

Homemade Dried Fruits

Dried fruits can actually be easily made at home. Common methods include low-temperature drying sliced fruits in an oven or sun-drying them on a sunny day. Recently, more people are also using food dehydrators.

The key to making them is to "dry them thoroughly." If they are semi-dried, moisture remains, making them prone to mold. Also, adjusting the drying time and temperature depending on the type of fruit is important. Fruits with high moisture content like mandarins and pears should be dried slowly over time, while fibrous fruits like apples should be dried at a slightly higher temperature for good flavor.

Homemade dried fruits are a natural snack that can be enjoyed with peace of mind, as they contain no added sugar or additives. They are also visually appealing and can be enjoyed in various ways, such as floating them in tea or mixing them into yogurt.

Let's Taste Dried Fruits

Dried fruits are natural preserved foods that retain the sweetness and nutrients of fruits.
Compared to fresh fruits, they are easy to carry and provide a sense of satisfaction even in small amounts, making them ideal for nutritional supplementation on busy days. The simple process of drying encapsulates culinary wisdom and nature's bounty, revealing a deeper world the more you investigate.