Apricots have been around for over 4000 years and they are are a great source of vitamin A.
So, including them every day in your food is beneficial.
However, apricots are commonly available in their dried form and it tastes good when softened and added to the recipe.
So in this article, I am going to show you how to soften dried apricots in a few simple steps.
And then I’ll answer some of the common questions around dried apricots.
Here is high-level information on how to rehydrate dried apricots and soften them.
Dried apricots can be rehydrated by soaking them in water and allowing them to soften overnight. The minimum soaking time for dried apricots is 6 hours.
After soaking, drain the water, rinse the softened apricots and use them in your recipe.
Now let’s look at the process in detail.
Step 1 – Measure Your Dried Apricot
Place the dried apricot that is required for your recipe in a bowl and clean them by washing them in running tap water.
Step 2 – Pour Boiling Water Over The Fruit
Boil the liquid of your choice or simply use water and pour it over the fruits and make sure all of them are submerged under the hot liquid.
The fruits will absorb the flavor of the liquid you choose, which will add a nice flavor to your recipe.
Step 3 – Let It Plump Up
Allow the apricots to soak in the hot liquid for 15-30 minutes.
The dried apricot will start to absorb the liquid and soften within the first few minutes.
You will notice a change in the appearance of the dried apricot, both in size and color.
This indicates that the apricots are softened.
The best way to soften dried apricots is to soak them overnight and simmer them for 15 minutes before using them for cooking.
Tips for softening dried apricot
Step 4 – Strain The Liquid
Empty the softened apricots into a strainer to remove the excess liquid.
Now, the rehydrated apricots are ready for cooking.
Enjoy Your Rehydrated Apricot
There is no limitation in experimenting with different recipes using rehydrated apricots.
However, please note that rehydrating dried apricots will not completely transform them into their before dehydration state.
Nonetheless, definitely you will find a great improvement in taste when the apricots are softened.
With that being said, we have come to the end of this topic. Let’s look at some of the frequently asked questions.
What are the benefits of soaking dried apricots?
There are many benefits of soaking dried apricots. In addition to the health benefits, they can be used in different dishes and desserts that taste even better with dried apricots.
Below are a few more pros of soaking dried apricots.
- It extracts an enzyme called polyphenols from the fruit. This helps to break down tough fibers, which makes it easier for your body to digest them.
- It preserves the nutrients in them because it does not allow them to oxidize. This means that they will keep their flavor for longer and last a lot longer than if you just ate them right away after buying them from an aisle or kiosk.
- Dried apricots become softer, more juice-like, and easier to chew. They also become less acidic because of the water content that is added during the soaking process. The excess water helps hydrate your body by flushing out toxins and other impurities in your body.
How many dried apricots should I eat a day?
A study shows that women should eat around 8 dried apricots a day to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Apricots are a rich source of fiber and antioxidants, which help prevent diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. They also have potassium, selenium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. However, the health benefits of apricots are not just limited to women. Men should also eat around 6-7 apricots a day for similar health benefits.
Women should consume about 8 dried apricots each day to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Men should consume about 6-7 dried apricots each day for similar health benefits
What is the best time to eat dried apricots?
The best time to eat dried apricots is in the morning after soaking them for 8 hours in cold water.
Dried apricots are delicious but they have a dry texture that can cause indigestion. To avoid this, you should soak them in cold water for 8 hours before eating. This process softens the apricot’s texture and also dissolves any remaining sugar or juices.
Also in general, it is recommended to eat fruits and vegetables in the morning because they provide you with energy for a day.
