If the likes of Mrs Beeton had discovered the New World we would all be eating properly.
So much is lost in translation when eating new, imported foods; when tea was first introduced to England, they threw away the liquid and attempted to eat the leaves.
For as long as we have had dried fruit imported, we have eaten it wrong.
Drying fruit is a way of preserving it, when we eat it dried it screws with our digestion process and usually ends up in heartburn.
if you want to eat properly and digest all those nutrients like potassium, carotenoids, Vitamin C , iron (folate) and the fabulous soluble fiber, then throw out the dried trail mix and go for washed and soaked dried fruit and whole grains.
The same applies to any dried fruit in muesli and granola.
In the days before "already washed" dried fruit, housewives and cooks knew to soak and wash it, removing any debris and seeds/pits.
When you want to add any dried fruit to any dish/recipe, soak it for a few hours in clean cold water, or brewed tea, or fruit juice ( usually just enough liquid to cover it)..for larger and tougher types of fruit (dried apricots and pitted prunes/dates), soak in hot liquid.
When it is time to add the recipe, drain well and then fold in.
For some desserts and stews any leftover soaking liquid may be added.
Also when pre-soaked the fruit appears to taste sweeter so you may want to use less sugar in baking recipes.
Stay well and eat well and remember, Digestion begins in the mouth not the stomach..chew everything except water.
This afternoon I made some whole-wheat carrot cakes and replaced half the brown sugar with soaked pitted dates..fantastic results.
Info on dried fruit varieties:
Dates contain high amounts of natural aspirin and are linked to lower rates of pancreatic cancer and other cancers.
Figs contain high amounts of benzaldehyde a compound that helps shrink tumors in humans. (Japanese study).
Also have anti-ulcer, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic powers.
Happy eating and staying healthy......
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