How to properly store dried figs. How to store dried figs at home

Fig, wine berry, fig tree, or fig - according to legend, the most ancient cultivated plant. For millennia, figs have not lost either popularity or useful properties. Let's figure out how figs grow, what figs look like, how to choose them, what to eat with and how it affects health.

Previously, we only had access to dried figs which is considered to be one of the most healthy dried fruits. Now there is an opportunity to buy fresh. Be careful, ripe figs are very tender, if the fruit is slightly wrinkled, it will quickly deteriorate. Therefore, do not collect figs in a supermarket in a bag and do not put it at the bottom of the cart - you will bring a semi-finished product for jam to your home. Boxes, containers or baskets - here the best container for fig.

Ripe figs - how to choose the right one?

How to choose figs so that it is not only healthy, but also tasty? To the touch, the fruits should be quite soft and pliable, but not "float" in the hands. Buy fruits with smooth, clean, intact skins.

If the fig is overexposed to the sun, it will instantly ferment (this is where the glory of the wine berry came from - you can eat and drink at the same time). Smell the figs before buying, the characteristic sourness will tell you that fermentation has already begun.

If the figs have been lying in the store or on the market for too long, they lose their round shape and characteristic depressions begin to appear on them.

When to buy?

Figs are traditionally harvested from mid-June to mid-October. 7-10 days after harvest, the figs lose marketable condition and useful properties and begins to deteriorate. Unlike bananas or citrus fruits, figs plucked from a branch do not ripen. If you come across hard fruits, you should not take them - they are not ripe naturally and will not "reach" the desired condition in your home.

Strongly unripe figs are not eaten because of the milky juice contained in the fruits. These berries will no longer be as useful as ripe figs.

How to store figs?

It is better to put fresh figs in the refrigerator as soon as possible, on the coldest shelf, so it will lie a little longer. Fruits can be cut and frozen for future use, they will retain their properties for 10-12 months.

An open pack of dried figs can be stored for up to a month at room temperature. If you plan on enjoying them longer, pack the figs in a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate. It will be edible for a year.

What does a fig look like

Fig fruits can be different color. White is called light green or yellowish figs, sweet, with pink or bright red flesh. They ripen in June. The second wave of harvest - August. Black figs are called figs, resembling plums in color. Its flesh is dark pink. And it's even sweeter than white. Ideal as an accompaniment to yogurt or fresh soft cheese.

Brown figs have brownish-reddish skins and more soft taste compared to other varieties. It is noticeably less sweet compared to black figs. Good for salads or desserts where sugar or other sweetener will be used.

Figs - the benefits of miracle berries

Figs contain a lot of calcium, potassium and fiber. It has been proven that two dried fruits a day can significantly increase the antioxidant activity in the human body. Figs allow you to dull the feeling of hunger - just one fig will allow you to hold out until dinner.

Not only fig fruits are useful, but also the notorious fig leaves. Studies show that fig leaves help reduce the amount of insulin needed by diabetic patients and also help lower triglyceride levels. Fig leaf tea or fruits brewed in milk have long been used as a remedy for sore throats, coughs and other lung diseases, including asthma. Fig leaves are also used in the treatment of stomach ulcers.

Fig fruits are known for their diuretic, diaphoretic and antipyretic properties. dried figs is a mild natural laxative. Figs contain more iron than apples, so they are good for treating iron deficiency anemia. Figs are also recommended for patients with cardiovascular diseases. Gruel from fig fruits is used as a wound healing agent, a decoction is good for the treatment of abscesses and boils.

In a word, the fig tree both nourishes and heals - a real gift of nature, figs, the benefits of which are enormous.

The history of the fig

Figs began to be cultivated long before the beginning of our era, mentions of it are found already in the Sumerian period. According to some interpretations, the Serpent seduced Eve from the true path precisely with the help of a fig fruit, and not an apple at all. And there is no doubt that it was from fig leaves that Adam and Eve sewed their first loincloths.

The ancient Greeks considered figs a gift from the goddess Demeter. The fig tree was called the tree of life and knowledge in many countries from Central Africa to Far East. Even the Buddha meditated under a fig tree. The fruit of the fig tree has been used as a substitute for sugar for centuries. In North Africa and the Middle East, they are still used as a sweetener today.

In the XVI-XVII centuries. Under the pressure of the Church, the artists covered the nudity of the heroes of their paintings with the image of a fig leaf. Specially hired sculptors sculpted marble fig leaves to cover the shame of ancient statues.

Figs - healthy recipes

Here are some recipes for eating figs:

Fig and prunes salad:

300 g of figs, 150 g of prunes, 2.5 tablespoons of almonds, sugar, orange peel, acidophilus.

Cut figs and prunes into strips. Remove the skin from the almonds, chop. Mix, sprinkle to taste with grated orange peel and sugar, pour acidophilus.

How to cook fried figs:

Cut fruit into halves. Lubricate with vegetable or melted butter, fry. The figs are ready when bubbles appear on the cut surface and the edges start to brown. Fried figs, how to eat this dish? Serve with sweet dishes. You can brush slices with honey instead of butter and serve fried figs with ice cream or soft cheese as an independent dessert.

Salad with figs and brisket:

Add chopped fresh figs and pancetta or bacon with a regular green salad. Season with balsamic vinegar.

Figs with cheese:

Sliced ​​figs can be served with any soft cheese or natural yogurt. A little mint or lemon peel complement the taste of the appetizer. You can also serve figs with Parmesan, drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Taste notes can be orange peel or even a pinch of freshly ground black pepper.

Fig puree:

Grind figs in a blender with a small amount balsamic vinegar or culinary sherry. Add olive oil to improve the consistency of the puree. Salt and pepper to taste. Heat up lightly. Serve with meat or poultry. Now you know how to cook figs - enjoy the wonderful fruits.

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Fig is a southern berry that grows on a fig tree, it is also called a fig.

Fresh fruit is very delicate, quickly perishable and is not preserved in this form.

How to choose figs for storage

Depending on the variety, fresh figs can be:

• green;
• brown;
• yellow;
• dark purple.

Pressing on the fruit will help you choose a fig. ripe berry always soft with a pronounced sweetish aroma.

It's okay if scratches are found on it - the taste will not suffer from this. Hard and crushed figs that have a putrid or sour smell should not be taken.

How to store fresh figs

Therefore, it is preferable to use berries in places of ripening, since after transportation, fermentation occurs quickly in them.

The laying of berries is carried out as follows:

• they are washed;
• dry;
• put in containers, close;
• containers are placed in the refrigerator on a shelf reserved for storing vegetables.

Freezing fresh figs will keep much longer. Suitable temperature for this - below -15 ° С.

Important: room temperature is not suitable for keeping figs fresh. The berries will ferment in a day.

How to store unripe figs

If you buy unripe fruits, it is possible to achieve their ripeness in 2-3 days.

What are shelves used for in dark, cool and dry rooms:

• pantry;
• subfield;
• basement;
• cellar, etc.

After the figs are ripe, they can be stored at a low temperature.

How to store dried figs

The duration of storage depends on the type of container and temperature values:

1. The “Freshness” zone in refrigeration equipment with a temperature slightly above zero is the most comfortable place for figs placed in a package (container).
2. Instead of a refrigerator, a basement with a slight positive temperature is also suitable. There are also conditions for saving dried berries within two to three weeks.

The shelf life will be extended if you regularly open the container with dried fruits and check for the presence of spoilage or mold on the fruits.

Here is one of the methods for preserving the fruits: you need to put them in a bag of canvas and put it in a glass vessel, tightly closed with a lid.

An important condition for this is the humidity in the room up to 80% at a temperature of -15 ° C.

Preparation

For drying use ripe fruit. The main sign of maturity (and therefore quality) is their independent fall from the tree.

Stages of fruit preparation:

• rinse thoroughly from dust;
• remove damaged areas;
• put on a cloth to absorb moisture.

To add sweetness in a dry product, the figs are boiled with constant stirring with a wooden spatula (spoon) for 7-10 minutes in boiling syrup.

A sweet solution is prepared from three glasses of water and one glass of sugar. At the end of the time, the boiled figs are thrown back into a colander and each fig is dried well. Now the berries are ready for drying.

Oven

Stages of drying figs in the oven:

1. Prepared fruits are placed on the oven grate.
2. The temperature is set to a minimum (not higher than +60 ° C), and the door is kept ajar.
3. The figs are turned over at intervals of 2 hours.
4. It takes 8 hours to dry the figs.

Important: you can not put a fig tree on a baking sheet. The air required for drying is supplied from all sides through the grate. It is better to put gauze on a lattice sheet with large holes.

Electric dryer

In such a unit, the figs reach the dry condition much faster. They remain as juicy as freshly picked, their color becomes golden.

Drying order:

• The fruits are cut in half and placed on a clean cloth. It will absorb excess moisture from blanching.
• Halves of berries are evenly laid out on pallets of the drying device.
• Drying time for small fruits is up to 10 hours. Large specimens are best cut into two parts.

Drying in the sun

Figs are also washed and dried, and then laid out on a lattice sheet. It is installed so that warm air enters the berries from all sides.

lasts traditional drying under the sun 4-6 days. The berries are dried in the shade strung on a strong thread.

If the figs are pre-cut into 2 parts and placed cut side up on the trellis sheet, this will speed up the drying process.

Important: the sweet fig smell is a bait for insects. Therefore, the fruits placed on a lattice sheet for drying must be covered with a gauze layer.

How to save figs for the winter

• jam;
• jam;
• compote;
• confiture;
• jam;
• syrup.

Also made from fig wines and liquors. But we must not forget that for the manufacture homemade alcohol fresh fruits are taken from figs.

How else can you prepare?

The fig can be marinated, made from it compote, jam and juice.

Pickled figs are popular in fig harvest areas.

To prepare it you will need:

• 250 g of dried berries and port wine;
• 65 g balsamic vinegar;
• 1 tsp peels of orange and lemon;
• 1 st. l. Sahara;
• 125 g crushed nuts;
• salt, pepper powder - optional.

Marinate figs like this:

1. The dried product is placed in a jar, port wine is poured in, the mashed zest is poured in and placed in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
2. After that, the liquid is poured into the pan, the remaining components are added and the dish is placed on the stove.
3. After boiling, put the fig tree into the dressing and cook for 30 minutes over low heat (do not cover with a lid).
4. The cooled content is transferred to clean jar and sent for storage in the refrigerator.

Fig compote for future use

Such home preservation easy to prepare. Both fresh and dried figs are suitable for her.

On three-liter jar required:

• 300 g of figs;
• 150 g sugar.

2.5 liters of water should boil in a bowl, pour the ingredients into it and cook for 10 minutes. Remove compote from heat, pour into a prepared glass jar and seal with a lid.

Insulate an inverted jar of compote with a blanket. A chilled container with fig contents can also be stored not in the refrigerator - the compote will not deteriorate until the next harvest.

Important: no more sugar is needed - the fig tree is already sweet.

Green fig jam

Need:

• 1 kg of berries and sugar;
• 300 g of water;
• 5 g citric acid.

Cooking:

1. Figs are pierced with a fork and boiled in 2-3 waters for 5 minutes. A change of water removes the bitterness and makes the berries softer.
2. Then the figs are dipped into a syrup made from 500 g of sugar and 300 g of water, and boiled for 15 minutes to soften the figs.
3. Then add 500 g of sugar, bring the contents of the pan to a boil, remove from heat, set to next day to a hidden place.
4. The fruits soaked in syrup are boiled, not forgetting to pour citric acid dissolved in a small volume of water into the jam 3-4 minutes before the end of cooking.

Store jam in a cool and dark place.

It is also prepared without boiling, for which the figs are insisted in boiled syrup. For 1 kg of fruit you need 700-750 g granulated sugar, 2 tbsp. water. Ripe fruits are used, washed and dried.

The first time the syrup is boiled for 7 minutes, they are poured with figs and cooled. The drained sweet solution is brought to a boil, the fire is reduced, boiled for 5 minutes, combined with the berries a second time and allowed to cool.

And so three more times. At the end of the third time, spread the jam in a sterilized jar, close the lid and wrap it. Store it in the refrigerator (cellar).

fig juice

Only ripe figs are good. They are washed in cool water, allowed to drain moisture. Then they are scalded with boiling water, rubbed through a metal sieve.

Chilled boiled water is added to the prepared mixture, keeping the ratio 2:1, and the mix is ​​squeezed through several gauze layers.

Video: Fig jam

Conclusion

delicious fruit in fresh stored for a short time. To keep it longer, you can dry it, put it in the refrigerator or pickle it.

For the winter, you can make sweet jam, jam and jam from figs, cook compote. Fig syrup can be added to tea instead of sugar.

dried figs - valuable product, a source of nutrients for the body. Fruit fig tree sweet and juicy, in places of growth they are eaten fresh immediately from the branch, they make jam. To save valuable properties, the figs are dried, and in this form they get to our table. How to choose the right dried figs to fully enjoy its healing properties?

The fruits of the fig tree, or figs, are mentioned in ancient written sources for several millennia BC. Avicenna recommended them as medicine. Figs were the one forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve ate. It was with its leaves that they covered their nakedness when they were expelled from Paradise. This is the oldest product that heals, and sacred properties are attributed to it. So what are the benefits of dried figs?

Also in another useful article, read how to buy fresh figs correctly, which is no less important for buyers of this healthy subtropical fruit to know.

The fruits of the fig tree contain a large number of vitamins of group B, as well as C, A. Thanks to this, dried figs are useful for nervous system, improves mental activity and performance, improves mood.

As well as healthy dried apricots, figs are rich in potassium, iron and magnesium - substances necessary for the hematopoietic system and heart function. Figs help in the fight against anemia, increase hemoglobin levels, help lower blood pressure. Potassium contained in figs removes excess moisture from the body.

Due to the high fiber content, dried figs well remove toxins from the body, improve bowel function. A decoction of the fruits of the fig tree helps with constipation.

Since ancient times, figs have been used to treat colds and diseases. respiratory tract. Helps cure cough milk infused with figs.

As you can see, figs - required product, which should be kept in every home. It is important to know how to store dried figs.

Figs are best eaten separately from other foods, they have a pronounced sweet taste. Usually they are replaced with sweets.

It’s a good idea to diversify your diet by mixing chopped figs with natural fermented milk products- cottage cheese, kefir. Instead of the usual raisins and dried apricots, you can use dried figs when baking muffins, cakes and cookies.

If you want to treat yourself to something new piquant taste, you can cook a dish of chicken with figs. Also, the fruits of the fig tree go well with cheese and honey.

Many people ask this question when they see dried fruits and before choosing dried figs. Dried fruits from hot countries travel a long way before reaching our table. Chemicals may be used in their production. Therefore, before use, dried figs must be thoroughly washed under running water.

Even better if it is soaked for half an hour in warm water, then the fruits will be softer, which contributes to better assimilation nutrients. Dirt and chemicals will pass into the water, so it is better to pour it out. After washing, you can pour boiling water over dried figs, but some of the vitamins will be destroyed.

When buying dried figs, you need to evaluate its organoleptic properties:

- The color should be light brown or beige, matte.

- A white coating is allowed on the surface - this indicates a high content of glucose in the fruits, which has come out.

- The presence of spots on the surface and crumpled fruits is unacceptable.

- The fruits should be approximately the same in size, slightly flattened.

- Taste the figs to the touch - they should be a little soft, not too hard and overdried.

If all points are true, then this is a quality fig. Now it is important to talk about how to store dried figs at home.

The lower the temperature and humidity in the room, the more favorable the storage conditions for dried figs. Otherwise, it will quickly become damp, and pests will start in it.

Store dried figs in a cool, dry place in a container with a tight-fitting lid. You can put the fruit in a canvas bag and put it in a glass jar. Direct contact should be avoided. sun rays and moisture on the product.

Dried figs - what is useful for women?

Composition and benefits for women

Harvesting figs, proper storage

One of the ancient cultivated plants - figs is mentioned in the Bible. The leaves of the fig tree covered the first people - Adam and Eve. Fig fruit - a storehouse of vitamins, minerals. Rich chemical composition wine berry, the so-called dried figs, has a positive effect on many processes occurring in human body. The berry is especially useful for women.

Very often, when dried, many fruits lose their beneficial properties. But this is not the case for figs. The nutritional value of the berry after its drying increases, it was not for nothing that the soldiers ate it during the campaigns of Alexander the Great. Yes and fresh berries figs are difficult to preserve, so it is better to dry them. You can enjoy dried fruits for a whole year until the new harvest.

In the dried fruits of the fig tree, or figs, many vitamins are preserved. The fruits are especially rich in vitamin A, folic acid, slightly less vitamin E in them. Of the minerals in the fig, there is enough magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and almost as much potassium as in nuts. Wine berries are valued for great content- about 70 percent - glucose, sucrose. Pectin in the composition of figs increases the nutritional value of seedlings, is able to normalize metabolism.

Dried berries are especially useful for the female body:

1. Eaten a few fig berries help to maintain the balance of chemical elements during the period of critical days. Since they contain coumarin, the blood thins, making the condition of the woman easier.
2. Anemia is one of the common diseases of a woman during pregnancy. It is the use of dried figs that will improve the composition of the blood.
3. The properties of the wine berry include the stimulation of the lactation process, therefore, during the feeding period, they eat two or three pieces a day. Overindulgence can negatively affect digestive system child.
4. For those who suffer from increased body weight, the wine berry will become the best assistant in weight loss. The inclusion of figs in the diet will allow you to quickly get enough, help to exclude sweets and sweets from the menu. Fig berries can easily replace them during a snack.
5. To cleanse the body of a woman from toxins and toxins use dried fruit fig tree. They have so much fiber that after eating even two berries a day, the need for it will disappear. A alimentary fiber berries relieve constipation, improve metabolism.
6. The symptoms of varicose veins are particularly severe in women. Dried figs make up for the deficiency of potassium in the body, relieve swelling, cramps in the calf muscles.
7. Figs are useful for colds, sore throats. Dry fruits of figs, infused with milk, are used for gargling.
8. The pulp of dried figs contains many seeds. In crushed form, it is used as a scrub for exfoliating dead skin cells, facial rejuvenation.

The positive effect of fig fruit on female body described by Avicenna.

But some women will have to give up fig treats if they suffer from an acute form. peptic ulcer stomach or duodenum. Oxalic acid in the composition of the fruit will irritate the walls of the digestive tract, increasing pain.

It is forbidden to use dried figs for pancreatitis.

A large amount of glucose will not allow people with diabetes. Although there are no figs in the fruits essential oils, but allergy sufferers need to include wine berries in their diet with caution.

Whatever benefit the fig tree berry brings to the woman's body, it is necessary to observe the measure in its use.

Since figs grow only in warm countries, the fresh fruits enter the distribution network. short term: either in July or September. The maturity of the berry is determined by the opening of the fruit from below into four parts. Drying of fruits is carried out under a canopy, where they are well ventilated. Washing before drying the figs is not recommended.

The very name of the berry suggests that it can ferment like young wine. You can avoid this by dipping the fruit in boiling syrup for a second or two. Now it remains to lay them out on the grids and place them in a well-ventilated room. After a week of drying, the berries are flattened, strung on a thread and hung in the sun. Some berry bunches are placed over the gas or placed in the oven. After drying, the fruits are placed in paper bag keeping in the closet.

There are also such ways of storing figs:

• The dark variety of figs is dried and put in sealed bags and placed in the freezer.
• Jam is prepared by passing the berries through a meat grinder along with a lemon. Adding sugar to the prepared mass, cook over low heat for twenty to forty minutes. Store jam in jars. Per kilogram of berries take 700 grams of sugar.
• Dried figs are used to make wine with the addition of a few blueberries. A kilogram of figs is poured into ten liters of warm water and placed in a dark place for ten days.

All types of wine storage will allow you to enjoy its beneficial properties for a long time.

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How to store figs

Figs are the oldest cultivated plant that prefers a subtropical climate. Its fruits are called wine berries. As they mature, they become sweet, juicy, pear-shaped fruits filled with small seeds.

When fresh, figs are delicious in a special way, and when dried, they become even sweeter and give a feeling of satiety.

In order for the berry not to lose its qualities, it is necessary to store it correctly.

Ripe figs are not easy to keep fresh. It has a thin skin and the fruit is very tender. Therefore, it is easily fermented and spoils quickly. Figs do not like transportation. For transportation, only immature fruits are used, which did not have time to gain sweetness and taste. Before use, such berries should be placed in a sunny place for ripening - for example, spread them out on a windowsill. But there is no guarantee that they will become soft and juicy.

Ripe fresh figs are available where they grow: in the Caucasus, in the Crimea, on Black Sea coast Krasnodar Territory.

If you managed to purchase fruits recently plucked from a tree somewhere, it should be noted that they cannot be stored at room temperature: it will not even take a day for fermentation processes to start.

The best place to store fresh figs is fridge, namely - compartment for fruit. Before placing the fruits there, it is necessary to check the temperature: in order to keep the figs for a week or two, it should not rise above one degree of heat.

Dried figs contain four times more protein and sugar than fresh figs.

Light-coloured fruits are chosen for drying. They have golden skin and white flesh. The size of the fig is about five centimeters in diameter. It is generally accepted that small fruits are tastier than large ones.

Seedlings are dried in the sun for three or four days. Then they should be laid out in a container and covered with a lid.

When choosing dried figs, you need to consider the following points:

• high-quality fruits have a beautiful amber or dark matte shade;
• the white coating on the surface of the fig is glucose, the excess of which comes out. Such fruits are very sweet;
• there should be no dark spots on the figs. Fruits with such a defect cannot be saved, since they are already slightly spoiled;
• good figs are slightly soft to the touch. If it is too hard, it means that the fruit is too dry;
• the figs should be slightly flattened and about the same size.

It won't hurt to take a sample. The taste of quality figs is sweet. If it turned out to be sour, it means one of two things:

• figs were stored incorrectly;
• for drying, low-grade raw materials were used, most likely stale.

High-quality dried fruits can be stored for several months. Figs prefer low humidity and temperature. In other conditions, it becomes damp and attracts pests. Therefore, the fruits are placed away from sunlight and moisture.

So, for storing figs, we choose a dry and cool room. The fruits can be put in canvas bags, loaded into glass jars and cover. It is not forbidden to simply spread the figs into containers with lids that fit snugly.

Before use, the fruits should be washed and soaked for twenty minutes in warm water. Then they will become soft, more nutritious and absorbed by the body without problems.

Figs can be baked, cut into pieces and poured with cream or sour cream, liquor or lemon juice. The fruits are saturated with sugar and calories, so they will help you quickly overcome fatigue and fill up with strength. It is very good if they are always present in the house.

Fresh figs (fig, fig tree) are famous not only for their high content of nutrients, but also for their excellent taste properties. The season for fresh figs is late summer and autumn. Read how fresh figs are eaten, as well as how to store fresh figs and their benefits. See photos and recipes with fresh figs

Fresh figs: benefits and harms

fresh figs can be safely attributed to the number of superfoods. The benefits of fresh figs- V high content potassium, calcium, manganese and magnesium, as well as vitamins A, C, K and group B and dietary fiber. Wherein fresh figs contains a high number of calories compared to many other fruits (74 kilocalories per 100 g), so do not eat fresh figs V large quantities if you are watching your calorie intake.

Concerning harm figs, then people with kidney disease or a hereditary predisposition to them should also not eat figs in large quantities. The fact is that figs contains oxalates (salts oxalic acid), which are also present in , and .

How to eat fresh figs

Naturally, eat fresh figs just like other fruits. Besides, fresh figs adds spice to different dishes and makes excellent combinations with other products, for which it is highly valued in cooking. Because fresh figs has a mild and neutral sweet taste, it perfectly complements rich cheeses and aged hams (prosciutto, serano).

Fresh figs with aged ham

In our house, this salad is very popular: rocket lettuce, mozzarella or burrata cheese, prosciutto (or any other aged ham) and fresh figs. Serve the salad (pictured above) on a large wooden board, drizzled lightly on top, but not necessary. The dressing can also be served next to the salad in a small bowl, as well as cocktail sticks, which are convenient to take pieces. This dish is fresh figs I usually serve with an aperitif, before I invite guests to the table, and it is always a success. After all, it turns out not only tasty, but also beautiful. You can "collect salad" in the presence of guests, because fresh figs should be eaten immediately after being cut.

A simplified version of this dish eat fresh figs with prosciutto or jamon. For example, in famous dish Parma ham with melon, melon can be perfectly replaced fresh figs.

Fresh figs with mature (blue) cheese

cut fresh figs into 4 parts, without cutting through the fruit to the very bottom. Insert a piece of mature cheese, even better - blue, inside each fruit. You can, as an option, pour honey on top of the fruit and add a slice walnut or pecans (photo below). In this dish fresh figs Cheeses like this pair well. Parmesan, gorgonzola, blue (or regular) mature stilton, Roquefort, and soft cheeses Camembert And brie. In the absence of these cheeses, you can use the usual saint agur, dorblue or soft creamy boursen with herbs and garlic; The combination of flavors is still amazing! Some are very fond of eat fresh figs with sheep or goat cheese.

You can just submit fresh figs on a cheese board along with (or instead of) grapes, apples or pears. And if you don’t mind working a little to please your family and guests, then cut fresh figs, stuff it with a teaspoon blue cheese and place in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 10 minutes. The cheese will melt a little and now you have a new one ready. fresh fig dish.

Fresh figs for breakfast

Cook oatmeal to your liking. Before eating, add to it fresh figs cut into several pieces.

Before eating, cut and add fresh figs in muesli or granola.

Fresh figs for dessert

How to store fresh figs

fresh figs stored for a very short time. Therefore, if you do not plan to preserve fresh figs(for example, to make jam, sauce or chutney out of it), then buy as much as you are going to eat in a few days. Store fresh figs at room temperature. Storing fresh figs in the refrigerator significantly worsens it taste qualities(as is the case with many other vegetables and fruits). We store fresh figs in a bowl of fruit.

Apples, melons, bananas, plums, apricots - drying from these and many other fruits is easy to do on your own. But there is not always enough time for this, so more often we still buy already finished product. It is important to understand here that in industrial scale fruit blanks made with special technology. This speeds up and simplifies processing, but affects the quality and shelf life of dried fruits.

Drying Features

For comparison, here's how they affect the final product various methods drying:

• in the shade - it's long but perfect way when the water from the fruit evaporates gradually and evenly;
• in the sun - fruits dry faster, but not all useful material they love heat (for example, vitamins A and C are partially lost with this method);
• industrial furnaces - forced drying kills half of trace elements and vitamins.

The following table describes the external characteristics of products that have been dried properly.

Table - How to identify "good" dried fruits by external signs

Product	Characteristic
black raisin	- Blue-black; - matte
Kishmish	- Brown; - matte
Dried apricots and apricots	- Brown (sometimes grayish); - no shine
Prunes	- Black; - matte - opaque; - wrinkled
Pears, apples	- tan
Bananas	- Dark brown; - matte
figs	- flattened; - gray or beige; - possible white coating
Cranberry	- Maroon; - no shine
Cherry	- Brownish burgundy; - no shine

According to parents, children who are offered sweet dried fruits instead of sweets are less likely to get colds.

Which product is not worth buying

Choosing between beautiful orange apricots and gray faded apricots, it is difficult to listen to the voice of reason - fruits that have passed pre-sale preparation look too tempting. Nevertheless, whenever your hand reaches for a delicious shiny prunes or bright red cherries, remember - unnatural beauty is dangerous. How do manufacturers achieve such external product characteristics?

• Coloring. Amber or orange dried apricots can be tinted with harmless curcumin or treated with riboflavin phosphate, toxic alkane and tartazine. Distinguish by eye how the fruits were acquired bright color, impossible.
• Soaking. If, for example, deep cracks are visible on figs, this is a sign that the product was soaked in caustic soda.
• Rubbing. The sheen of dried fruit cannot be natural. Moisture evaporates, and manufacturers restore beauty with glycerin or soybean oil with trans fats.
• Smoke treatment. If dried apricots or prunes have a sharp “smoked” flavor, they were applied to them. liquid smoke”, famous for the content of carcinogens.

Buy soft and not too appetizing-looking dried fruits. "Non-marketable" appearance indicates that the fruits were dried naturally and not processed. They will not cause harm to health, and when proper storage useful substances in them will not disappear for many months.

How to store dried fruits: preparation, choice of place and containers

“Where to store dried fruits at home?” is the first question that arises after the purchase. IN ideal drying should be placed in a well-ventilated dark place with air humidity up to 65-75% and a temperature of 2-10°C. It is difficult to create such conditions in an apartment, so choose a place where it is as dark and dry as possible. Perhaps it will be a distant kitchen cabinet or pantry. It is important that there are no stoves or heating radiators nearby. To control the humidity in the chosen place, wrap salt or rice in a cloth and place the sorbent on the shelves with dried fruits.

Can dried fruits be stored in the refrigerator? This method is applicable only for "wet" products such as prunes or raisins. And then, if you do not count on long-term storage and plan to use the dryer soon. Why is that? For example, in standard drip units, air humidity reaches 90%, which is detrimental for most dryers.

Preliminary processing

To keep dried fruits longer, immediately after purchase, open the package and carry out quality control: fruits suitable for long storage, do not stick together if you squeeze them in your hand. But that's not all. The following manipulations will extend the shelf life.

• Dosushka. Select wet fruits, lay them out in a layer on paper and dry them in the shade in the yard or without light in the apartment.
• Prevention of mold and insects. Additional dried dried fruits are heated in the oven at 60-80 ° C for an hour and a half.
• Neutralization of "dyes". If you bought bright fruits treated with lubricants and dyes, you will have to soak the product in cool water for a couple of hours. So you partially get rid of the internal "chemistry" and wash off the glycerin and oil from the surface. After that, dried fruits should be dried and heated in the oven.

The average shelf life of any dried fruit (without freezing) is within a year. During storage, do not mix fruits: figs will share moisture and aroma with dried cherries, prunes with melons, dates with apples. As a result, you will get assorted products unsuitable even for baking.

Temperature

Sour fruits in conditions of low humidity are stored longer than sweet and fleshy fruits. This is explained by the fact that water and sugar are a favorable environment for the development of mold and microbes that make food unusable.

The ideal temperature for dried fruits is no higher than 10°C. When the thermometer shows above 17°C, all chemical processes are accelerated, and dried fruits spoil faster. Determine the optimal temperature regime storage for your dried fruits will help the following table.

Table - Shelf life of dried fruits and dried berries at different temperatures (humidity 65-75%)

Dried fruits	2-10°C	10-17°C	18-24°C
Raisin	18 months	12 months	6 months
Dried apricots, apricots, prunes	12 months	6 months	3 months
Apples, pears	18 months	12 months	6 months
Bananas, figs, dates	10 months	6 months	3 months
Cranberry, cherry	18 months	12 months	10 months
Rose hip	3 years	18 months	12 months

At a constant temperature down to -20 ° C (in the freezer), the shelf life is practically unlimited if the fruit is not defrosted.

At the slightest manifestation of mold, dried fruits should be discarded. Eating them is extremely dangerous - all types of mold contain carcinogenic aflatoxins that accumulate in the body and cause serious health problems.

Suitable containers

It is simple and convenient to store drying in polyethylene bags, but with this method there is no guarantee that pests will not get under the film. There are more reliable ways.

• Glass jars. Or plastic trays food products. This is mainly used for storing very dry and non-sticky fruits, such as dried apples, cherries or rose hips. It is important that the containers are tightly closed. Periodically check the contents of the jars to check for mold or bugs.
• Paper bags or canvas bags. These are suitable for almost all fruits. Before use, fabric bags are recommended to be further processed: soak them in a strong brine(100 g per one and a half liters of water). Then, without rinsing, dry well. The salt accumulated in the fibers will stop the insects and regulate the humidity inside the bag.
• Vacuum bags. Any dried fruits feel great in a vacuum, but for “sticky” ones (prunes, melons, figs) this is the best option.

Always wash dried fruits bought by weight, but immediately before use. You can even pour boiling water over it. And it is better to roast the peeled nuts.

Insect protection

If you find bugs in a jar or dryer bag, do not rush to throw everything away at once. Perhaps the insects have not yet had time to breed. Sort, and heat undamaged fruits for an hour at 80 ° C. And small household tricks will help protect dried fruits from moths and other insects:

• mint - put parchment and a few leaves of dry mint on the bottom of the drying storage container;
• vinegar - before use, rinse the jars with a solution of vinegar and water (1: 2), dry, do not rinse;
• zest - insects do not like the smell of lemon, tangerine, orange and do not attack dried citrus fruits, so put zest on the shelf with dried fruits (change the skins once a month).

Dried fruits with a low moisture content, such as apples, quince or pears, are stored without problems. It is more difficult to prevent spoilage of juicy fruits, which, even after drying, retain a fairly high humidity. For such fruits, consider some recommendations.

• Prunes . Well-dried plums are stored for up to three months in a dark place at a temperature of even about 20 ° C. But if the house is too warm, it is better to store prunes in the freezer. Keep the product in paper, vacuum or glass (plastic) containers.
• Dried apricots, apricots. Easier to store dried apricots home cooking as it is usually well dried. Place dried apricots in closed container or in a linen bag, and send to a dark place. But if you store apricots in a tissue package for a long time, they will dry out and become covered with a white coating. You can extend the shelf life by freezing: this way dried apricots can be stored for up to two years. Before eating, the fruits are thawed at room temperature.
• Raisin . It is better to store raisins without a refrigerator. The product loves air, so sort the dried berries and pour into a cotton bag. glass or plastic container covered with paper, not tight lids, and put in dry and cool place. Sprinkle dried raisins with water before use and heat for a minute in the microwave.
• Dates and figs. Such fruits do not store well at room temperature. To stock up for the winter, fold sweet drying in a jar with a lid or in a vacuum container and place on the shelf of the refrigerator. At temperatures up to 5 ° C, the fruits will not lose their taste and useful properties for several months. Store these fruits in normal plastic bags it is forbidden. Dried figs and dates are not washed before wintering.

The question of how to properly store dried fruits is most relevant if you have your own garden and you yourself prepare drying in large quantities. In other cases, it makes no sense to buy a product for the future - dried fruits are sold in stores all year round, And healthy dessert can be purchased at any time.