Dried grapes and berries are a healthy snack that’s easy to keep on hand. They’re best when you choose the right ones, though—and that means knowing what kinds of grapes and berries are available and how they differ. Here’s how to choose your dried fruit and dry it yourself!
Grapes
- Look for grapes that are firm, not soft or wrinkled.
- Avoid grapes with blemishes.
- Look for grapes that are dark in color; avoid those that are green or yellow.
- Grapes should be firm, but not hard as well as soft (which indicates they’re old). They should also have a strong smell–one thing to watch out for is moldy fruit!
Dried grapes taste great and are easy to transport because they’re lightweight compared to fresh fruit. And since they’re nutritious too (they contain lots of vitamins A & C), these dried fruits make an excellent snack or dessert when you’re on the go!
The best way to tell if your grapes are ripe is by feeling them. They should feel firm, not soft or wrinkled. Avoid grapes with blemishes and look for grapes that are dark in color; avoid those that are green or yellow.. Grapes should be firm, but not hard as well as soft (which indicates they’re old).
They should also have a strong smell—one thing to watch out for is moldy fruit! Dried grapes taste great and are easy to transport because they’re lightweight compared to fresh fruit. And since they’re nutritious too (they contain lots of vitamins A & C), these dried fruits make an excellent snack or dessert when you’re on the go!
The best way to tell if your grapes are ripe is by feeling them. They should feel firm, not soft or wrinkled. Avoid grapes with blemishes and look for those that are dark in color; avoid those that are green or yellow.
Grapes should be firm, but not hard as well as soft (which indicates they’re old). They should also have a strong smell—one thing to watch out for is moldy fruit! Dried grapes taste great and are easy to transport because they’re lightweight compared to fresh fruit. And since they’re nutritious too (they contain lots of vitamins A & C), these dried fruits make an excellent snack or dessert when you’re on the go! The best way to tell if your grapes are ripe is by feeling them. They should feel firm, not soft or wrinkled. Avoid grapes with blemishes and look for those that are dark in color; avoid those that are green or yellow..
Berries
Berries are one of the best dried fruits to have around. They’re easy to dry at home and can be used in a variety of recipes, including baking and cooking. Dried berries are also a good source of fiber, protein and calcium–and they’re super easy to store!
- Snacking: Berries make excellent snacks on their own or as part of trail mixes or salads. They’re also great when added into smoothies or oatmeal bowls.
- Baking: When you want something sweet but don’t want the extra sugar from desserts like cookies or cakes, try incorporating dried berries into your baked goods instead! This will save calories without sacrificing flavor (or color). You’ll still get all the benefits from eating whole foods like antioxidants that fight aging and disease; vitamins A & C for anti-inflammatory properties; potassium for heart health; plus fiber & protein which help keep blood sugar levels stable so you stay fuller longer!
- Cooking: Because they retain their shape so well when rehydrated during cooking processes like risotto recipes where they add texture while still retaining some crunchiness too – it makes sense why chefs love using these gems year round as an alternative grain replacement option .
For example: When you want to add a burst of color and flavor to your meal, try adding them into salads, rice dishes, sauces or even smoothies! You can also use them as garnishes on top of soups or add them into the base of your salad dressing for an extra boost.
These are just a few of the ways you can use dried berries in your daily life. If you’re looking for more ideas or even recipes that incorporate them, check out our Pinterest board where we have over 400+ pins on this topic alone!
The best part about dried berries is that they’re super easy to use in any recipe. Simply soak them in hot water for about 10 minutes and then drain them through a colander before using them as directed.
If you’re looking for a way to add more fiber, antioxidants and vitamins into your diet – then dried berries are just the thing! They’re a great alternative to fresh berries or even other types of dried fruit because they’re easy to store and use in any recipe.
Dried berries are a great way to add flavor and color to your meals. Check out our Pinterest board for 400+ pins with recipes that use dried berries!
Dried grapes and berries are healthy and delicious, but only if you choose the right ones.
Grapes and berries are healthy and delicious, but only if you choose the right ones. Grapes and berries can be used in a variety of ways: as is for a snack, added to salads or smoothies, or even dried into fruit leathers that are delicious on their own or paired with yogurt or ice cream.
Dried grapes taste best when they’re not too ripe when picked; berries should also be rinsed off before drying. If you’re looking for something sweet but don’t want the calories that come with regular candy bars or cookies (or just want something healthier), try making your own dried fruit snacks!
Dried Fruit Snacks: Grapes and Berries -Cut grapes in half and remove any seeds. They will shrink as they dry, so you may want to cut them into large pieces before drying. -Place the grapes on a wire rack over a cookie sheet (you can use parchment paper or foil underneath the rack if you want). Put the grapes in an oven that has been preheated to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
-Leave the grapes in the oven until they have shrunk significantly and are leathery. A good test is to take one grape out of the oven and try snapping it in half; if it breaks easily, then it’s ready!
-Dry strawberries the same way as you dry grapes, but make sure to cut them into smaller pieces before drying. -Raspberries should just be tossed in sugar and dried right away!
-Put the berries on a wire rack over a cookie sheet and bake them at 150 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2 hours, or until they are dry. -When ready, remove from oven and cool. You can also add flavorings such as cinnamon or vanilla extract to your dried fruit snacks if desired!
