The Super History of Dried Fruit!

Dried fruit has a long and super interesting history that spans across cultures and continents. From its earliest use as a way to preserve fruit in ancient civilizations to its modern-day popularity as a tasty snack and ingredient in all sorts of dishes, dried fruit has played a major role in human culture and cuisine.

In this article, we’ll dive into the history and cultural significance of dried fruit, including its evolution over time and its many uses in different parts of the world. Let’s get started!

Ancient Times

The oldest known use of dried fruit can be traced back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. These civilizations used drying as a way to keep fruit fresh for a long time, so they could enjoy a variety of fruits all year round.

Drying fruit was also a common practice in ancient China. The Chinese were famous for drying a ton of different fruits like plums, apricots, and peaches. In fact, they even invented the first known fruit drying machine to dry huge amounts of fruit more efficiently.

Dried fruit wasn’t just practical for preserving fruit, it was also a big deal in ancient cultures. In many societies, dried fruit was a luxurious and highly prized commodity that was often reserved for special occasions and given as gifts to royalty and other important people.

Medieval Times

During medieval times, dried fruit remained a valuable commodity, especially in Europe. Monasteries and convents would dry fruit to make sweet treats and delicacies.

In addition to being used in cooking and baking, dried fruit was also used as medicine in medieval Europe. People believed it had a bunch of health benefits and it was often prescribed for things like constipation, respiratory problems, and even as a cure for feeling down.

Dried fruit was also a vital source of nutrients during the winter when fresh fruit was hard to come by. It was often included in the diets of soldiers and travelers because it was portable and easy to carry around.

Modern-Day Uses

Today, dried fruit is still a popular and versatile ingredient in many cuisines around the world. It’s used in all sorts of dishes like baked goods, trail mix, granola, and as a topping for oatmeal and yogurt. Basically, if it’s delicious, there’s a good chance dried fruit is involved.

In addition to being used in cooking and baking, dried fruit is also widely eaten as a healthy snack. It’s a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals and is often recommended as a part of a balanced diet. Plus, it’s just so darn tasty!

So there you have it, the history of dried fruit! From ancient civilizations to medieval times to the present day, this tasty snack has had a major impact on human culture and cuisine. Now go out and enjoy some dried fruit – your taste buds (and ancient ancestors) will thank you!