Dry fruits are an excellent source of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, providing you with an alternative to junk food that helps manage weight and lower blood sugar.
They’re also great for your skin and hair health and overall wellness. In India, these ingredients are frequently added to sweets and desserts – or eaten alone as a healthy snack.
Almonds
Almonds (badam) are an integral component of Indian desserts. Packed with vitamin E, magnesium, and dietary fiber, almonds help improve skin health and promote regular bowel movements. Furthermore, almonds have also been known to prevent acne by controlling oil in skin pores, thereby controlling acne scars; additionally, they can even balance pH levels in your skin to alleviate rashes by maintaining proper pH balance on its surface.
The almond tree, in the genus Prunus, is a small deciduous shrub or tree native to many countries worldwide. It produces fragrant five-petalled flowers before its leaves appear each spring. Its fruit, known as drupes like plums and cherries, differs in that it lacks a fleshy covering known as the hull that splits open when mature to reveal stone-like seeds inside.
Raisins, apricots, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, and coconut are among other dry fruits commonly available at stores today. At the same time, many nuts and seeds come seasoned with spices to add additional flavor, dried fruits make an excellent snack that can be eaten alone or mixed into other meals for an instant protein and vitamin boost. Individuals allergic to nuts should refrain from eating whole nuts as this could trigger a dangerous allergic reaction.
Pista
Pistachios are an incredible dry fruit source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants – as well as being low in fat and calories! Pistachios have become a staple food across various cuisines worldwide due to their nutritional profile – although they contain sugars that could potentially increase weight. They should be eaten moderately due to the potential increase in both calories and sugar intake.
Dry fruits are fruits that have had their moisture removed through natural or synthetic means, often for storage or flavor and texture enhancement in dishes. Dry fruits can provide many of the same vitamins found in fresh produce in an accessible, long-term format.
Dry fruit refers to nuts that have been dehydrated through either sun drying or using machines designed to remove moisture from food products. Nuts and dried fruits both offer similar nutritional values but have lower sugar levels – making them excellent options for those trying to limit their sugar consumption.
Cashews
Cashews are an indispensable ingredient to have on hand for various recipes, offering plenty of vitamins and minerals while providing protein. Pairing cashews with sweet ingredients such as raisins, dates, or chocolate is also famous, and they make delicious chutneys or desserts!
Indian cuisine features cashews as an essential staple, known as Kaju (pronounced Ka-jou), which is a good source of vitamin E, magnesium, and protein – not to mention delicious dishes such as curry, chutneys, and desserts that use cashews in various ways.
Cashews have long been considered both fruits and nuts. Most authorities agree they are the seeds of the cashew tree, housed within a hard shell known as a pod or drupe that develops from its flower’s receptacle receptacle.
Making delicious kaju katli requires grinding your cashews until they become acceptable, creating an ideal texture without lumps. A spice grinder or food processor is an effective way of doing this, with caution, as too long of a blend can release oils that alter its consistency and its final product.
Raisins
Raisins are dried grapes, a popular snack and ingredient that comes in various varieties. Soaked in juice or liquor to plump up and flavor them, raisins contain antioxidants that help lower blood pressure while being eaten alone, mixed into trail mix or oatmeal, baked goods, or desserts, adding moisture and sweetness for additional moisture-retaining effects. Their origin dates back prehistorically when grapes left hanging was accidentally left to dry on vines until it was finally discovered that their sweetness could make an appealing snack or ingredient.
Currants and sultanas are also nutritious dried fruit options that can help lower cholesterol, improve digestive health, and regulate blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, however, they’re high in calories and sugar, so they should only be eaten in moderation. Furthermore, organic raisins offer additional health benefits since they’re free from pesticides and other chemicals; the easiest way to tell if a batch is organic is by looking at its label.
Figs
Figs (Anjeer) are delicious fruits full of fiber and vitamins, making them perfect for desserts or savory dishes alike. Available year-round as fresh or dried options, figs provide iron, minerals, and low caloric intake, all while remaining delicious snacks!
Figs come in both crunchy and soft varieties. When fully ripened, their sweet jam-like texture becomes irresistibly delicious! Used widely as an ingredient in baked goods or as an alternative sugar source in many recipes, figs make an excellent snack on their own or can even be mixed in yogurt or milkshakes for an easy bite-size treat!
Figs have long been one of the oldest cultivated crops, known for their distinct and delicious flavor. Similar to dates in shape and sweetness, figs should be plump with smooth skin and a shiny appearance; when selecting ones to buy, beware of those that appear slimy, have any signs of milky liquid near their stem or have moldy solid scents.
Fox Nuts
Fox Nuts are edible seeds from the Euryale Ferox water plant and are the subject of much debate among health enthusiasts in India due to their health benefits and nutritional content. Also referred to as Makhana, Rani Phool Lotus Seed, or Gorgon Nut, Fox nuts have become increasingly popular due to their numerous health advantages as well as low levels of fat while boasting plenty of fiber content.
These round, dry fruits can be quickly prepared as a quick snack by roasting them with spices and condiments for an instantaneous treat. Aside from snacking on them, kaempferol has also proven beneficial in combatting sexual dysfunction for both men and women as it reduces inflammation within the body, ultimately helping with diseases like diabetes, arthritis, and rheumatism.
Fox nuts are an excellent source of both protein and potassium/sodium for your kidneys, helping regulate blood pressure while allowing the organs to maintain an appropriate flow of blood. Furthermore, their rich source of fiber may help relieve digestive issues like gas and bloating; however, too many may lead to allergic reactions involving symptoms like itching and hives in some people.
Berries
Berries are small fruits found on plants (strawberries, blackberries), shrubs (raspberries and blueberries), or trees (mulberries). But technically speaking, most fruits you eat don’t actually qualify as berries – to qualify as such, Jernstedt notes that fruits without this trio of layers, such as cherries, apricots, or olives, do not qualify as actual berries.
No one would mistakenly associate botanical nomenclature with taste or size; instead, this terminology describes how these fruits develop over time.
Dry fruits are defined as those whose water has been extracted through various drying processes – either naturally under the sun’s light or artificially through dehydrators – in order to concentrate their natural sugars and nutrients. This process results in a higher concentration of natural sugars and nutrients in each fruit.
These fruits are used in Indian sweets and can also be soaked overnight and consumed as badam milk, providing a rich source of iron that may help prevent anemia, along with aiding digestion by treating constipation and acidity, giving fiber, zinc, and protein benefits.