Many people think that buying dried fruits in bulk means that you have to purchase large quantities, like in big-box stores. The “bulk” term really refers only to the store’s presentation, not the quantity you purchase. In fact, bulk is often the best choice for buying smaller quantities of some products than the packaged versions. Buying in bulk has become a popular option as natural food stores head online. The rise of corporate organic in markets like Whole Foods has increased the interest in farmer’s markets, online retailers, and wholesalers.
Now, a recent study puts bulk foods in the spotlight. Organic bulk foods on average are 89 percent less expensive than the supermarket organic packaged counterparts. This is according to research results from the Portland State University’s Food Industry Leadership Center (FILC).
Dried fruit makes a great snack and helps you get your 5 daily servings of fruit. Dried fruit stays edible for so much longer than fresh fruit that the industry of drying fruit has been big business in America since before it was formed. Indulging in dried apples, mangoes, pineapple, and figs is the most common healthy dried fruit available. Easy to find online, in supermarkets, and farmer’s markets. When possible, choose dried fruit with reduced sugar content. Another practical method is to add cherries or cranberries to sour fruit juice. Doctors and Nutritionists are voicing concerns online about fruit juice because of the fresh or dried fruit sugar content used to make the beverages.
The high dried fruit sugar content acts as a natural preservative. This means no refrigeration is necessary. Although, keeping them cold can help dried fruit taste fresh even longer. Be sure to store dried fruit in air-tight containers to keep the fruit from absorbing moisture and remember that sometimes the natural sugars in dried fruit will solidify, forming crystals on the surface. This is especially true of figs and prunes, but harmless to eat and still tasty.
Dried fruit also goes well with unsalted nuts. Try homemade trail mix with raisins, high-fiber cereal, and unsalted almonds.
