Dried apples are a delightful and convenient snack, created by removing the moisture from fresh apples. They retain the natural sweetness of the fruit but have a chewy texture. These snacks are often enjoyed on their own or added to trail mixes and granola for a burst of natural sweetness.
Dried Apples - Dried apples are an affordable and worthy source of iron (43% of the daily value per 100 g of product), necessary for oxygen transport. For the same reason, they are useful for anemia and other diseases associated with low hemoglobin levels
The majority of South African apples are grown in the Elgin Valley in the Western Cape. Fruit growers in this area cultivate a wide range of tasty green and red apples.
Varieties of apples available includes:
Granny Smith – Tart yet sweet taste with a firm, white and crisp flesh
Gala – Sweet flavour, yellow skin with red stripes and a firm crisp flesh
Golden Delicious – Golden yellow skin, with a delicate pink blush
Pink Lady (Cripps’ Pink) – Attractive pink colour and exquisite taste, slightly oblong in shape
Health and nutrition:
One South African apple counts as one of your 5-a-day and they are full of lovely health benefits, such as:
High in vitamin C (6mg per 100g) Low in fat and do not contain any cholesterol High in dietary fibre (1.8g per 100g) A good source of potassium (120mg per 100g)
Apples are a delicious source of dietary fibre, which helps to aid digestion. A diet rich in apples could also help to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Due to antioxidants and flavonoids present in apples, eating them could improve lung function and reduce the risk of respiratory diseases. Apples have also been found to play a role in inhibiting ageing related problems, helping to prevent wrinkles and promote hair growth. An apple won’t replace your toothbrush, but biting and chewing an apple stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria. Apples are loaded with soluble fibre, the key to reducing sugar swings, which can greatly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Red apples contain an antioxidant called quercetin. Recent studies have found that quercetin can help boost and fortify your immune system, especially when you’re stressed out.
