Guide to dried fruit

Vine Fruits

  • Currants.png

    Currants

    Greece, South Africa, Australia, USA

    Currants derive from red, seedless Corinth grapes. They are graded into two sizes, the smaller berries being used mainly in the baking trade, and the remainder distributed in either grocery and health food outlets. Currants again provide dietary fibre and potassium in the daily diet.

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    Raisins

    Countries of origin: USA, South Africa, Afghanistan, Australia, Chile

    Most raisins are dried from the white seedless grape Vitis vinifera of which the Thompson Seedless cultivar is the most common. They are left to dry in the sunshine for two to three weeks, giving a dark brown, wrinkled appearance with a sweet flavour. As part of a daily intake, raisins contain dietary fibre, potassium and small quantities of other essential minerals.

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    Sultanas

    Countries of origin: Turkey, Australia, Greece, Iran, South Africa

    Sultanas are mainly produced from the white grape Vitis vinifera of which the Thompson Seedless cultivar is the most common. This produces a soft, juicy and very sweet amber coloured fruit, which provides quantities ofdietary fibre, potassium, iron and calcium, all of which are useful in supplementing a balanced diet.

  • Uses

    Vine fruits have a great variety of common uses including:

    • Baking cakes, buns and desserts
    • Sprinkled in salads
    • Ideal for stuffings such as mincemeat
    • Perfect in muesli
    • Raisins and sultanas are also ideal for snacking

Tree Fruits

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    Apricots

    Turkey, USA, Australia, South Africa, Iran

    Sold either halved, whole, or ready to use in pieces. They have a sharp, sweet, exotic flavour, and again contribute dietary fibre and minerals such as iron and magnesium to a balanced diet.

    Jams, purees, sauces, desserts, stuffings, baking, snacks, savoury dishes. Particularly good with lamb and poultry.

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    Dates

    Countries of origin: Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Tunisia, Algeria, USA

    Dates are grown on one of the most ancient and beautiful trees – the date palm. In addition to being very pleasant to eat they are a source of dietary fibre

    Purees, cakes, puddings, snacks, salads and lamb dishes.

  • Figs.png

    Figs

    Countries of origin: Turkey, USA, Greece

    One of the first fruits ever to be cultivated, figs are sweet, plump and yellow brown in colour. Figs also are a source of dietary fibre as well as calcium, iron and magnesium, and virtually fat free.

    Baking, salads, snacks and stuffings in pork and chicken.

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    Prunes

    Countries of origin: USA, Eastern Europe, France, South America, Turkey, Australia, South Africa, Israel, Morocco

    A prune is a rich, dark, dried plum, available whole or pitted. The prune adds moisture and succulence to recipes Prunes are a source of dietary fibre and iron, and are virtually free from fat. They also contain small quantities of minerals which are useful to a balanced diet.

    Baking, desserts, stuffings, cereals, snacks, savoury dishes, casseroles. Pureed as a fat substitute. Particularly good with pork and rabbit.