Dry Fruits List with Pictures – Glossary Of Dry Fruits

Think of your favorite dry fruit’s name? Aren’t they just delicious in traditional sweets, milkshakes, ice creams, and even as a simple roasted snack!

Dry fruits contain various fibers, fat, minerals, and other bioactive molecules that modulate several gene mechanisms at cellular as well as molecular level.

Packed with energy, there are several dry fruits’ uses in which you can conveniently accommodate them in your diet for a healthy meal plan.

Below is an exhaustive list of dry fruits’ names in English, Hindi, and other common Indian languages for a wider scope of understanding.

Also Checkout : Glossary of Indian Vegetables

Go through this list of dry fruits and nuts and the goodness in them in order to determine which out of them are the best dry fruits easily available in your area!

Glossary of Dry Fruits in English & Indian Languages

What are dry fruits?

Dry fruits are basically obtained from drying the fruit.

The key concept is to take out moisture. The desirable moisture content for dry fruits is said to be approximately 15%.

This is done by heating them at about 60-70 degrees Celsius.

For fresh fruits, used for the purpose of making candied fruit or just as a snack, the moisture content is around 20%.

In this process of dehydration, dry fruits drastically reduce in size making them a dense packet of healthy nutrients and a high energy supplement.

With convenient size and storage properties, a mixed dry fruits combination is the perfect snack pack for work, school, or just about anywhere!

Also Checkout : Glossary of Indian Spices in 11 Indian Languages

What are the different types of dry fruits?

In a nutshell (pun intended), most types of dry fruits available around the globe can be broadly categorized into three sections-

1. Seeds – Example: Almonds, Walnuts (single-seeded rock), Pistachios, etc.
2. Nuts – Example: Cashews, Hazelnuts, Macadamia nuts, etc.
3. Fruits – Example: Raisins, Dates etc.

Although there are several different varieties to exist, a majority of dry fruits fall in the aforementioned sub-sections.

A notable one that does not adhere to the categories is ‘Saffron’, an English name of the dry fruit -Kesar, which is the dried stigma of the saffron flower.

Surprising isn’t it? But Kesar is widely debated to be a dry fruit indeed. Many also assume it to be a vegetable but that is a discussion for another day.

Go check out the list of dry fruits above and see how many different types you consume in your day-to-day life!

What is the difference between dry fruits and nuts?

Dry fruits and nuts are often confused in their distinction.

Nuts are in-fact a sub-part of dry fruits itself.

A dry fruit has often been split into two types:

1. Dehiscent
2. Indehiscent

Basically, Dehiscent refers to those whose seeds are within a pod after maturity and Indehisccent are ones with a hardened wall, like cashew, brazil nut, pistachios etc.

So nuts are Indehiscent dry fruits.

While, fleshy fruits that are dried by humans or naturally comprises of the list of dry fruits we normally think of- Anjeer, dried mangos, dehydrated apricots, etc.

These are dried fruits or ‘dry fruits’ as we commonly call them.

Other exotic dried fruits available are dehydrated kiwis, apples, cherries, and even bananas.

Culinary use of Dry Fruits

Dry fruits are a versatile element that can enrich and beautify many recipes.

Some great ideas to use dry fruits in different dishes are:

1. Kheer and many other Indian sweets. They are often made with the addition of cashew, pistachios, and a several more types of dry fruits.
2. Cashew paste is a common ingredient for many rich vegetable gravies as well as non-veg marinade.
3. Grind and add to turmeric milk to make ‘Masala Doodh’ that helps build your immunity and keeps you warm from within when it is cold outside.
4. Bake cakes, cookies, and brownies with nutty toppings or chopped up in the batter for a tasty crunch.
5. Make your own Granola bars or Cereals for pre/post-workout meals or for the diet conscious of the house.

Health Benefits of Eating Dry Fruits

Looking at different dry fruit names with pictures you might wonder what benefit these unique fruits and nuts possess.

To make it simpler for you, here are the key benefits:

• Help reduce acidity eg. Raisins
• Loads of Vitamin E, B6 eg. Cashew
• Most dry fruits are rich in anti-oxidants
• Zero cholesterol eg. Almond
• Abundance of protein eg. Walnuts
• Majority contain dietary fibers that help reduce the risk of heart diseases

And, are packed with various minerals for a healthy body!

So, next time when you are out shopping, or just have them laying around in jars, remember these dry fruit names to add them to your meals for a healthy diet.

How to Store Dry Fruits

We’ve all had boxes over boxes of Diwali gifts containing these delicious dry fruits and nuts, am I right?

Instead of maybe giving them away, let’s incorporate them in our food as shared above and see how to store dry fruits better.

Dried fruits are prone to get affected by moisture (causing mold) and insects.

Therefore the rule of thumb for storing dry fruits is a cool and dry place to ensure it stays away from both.

Normal shelf life for most names on a dry fruits list is said to be 1 year at 15 degrees Celsius and 6 months at 26 degrees Celcius.

Some ways to store are:

• Airtight containers
• Sealing in Vaccum Packets
• Freezing in plastic containers with lids
• Cans and Jars with airtight lids
• Plastic freezer bags available online

Hence, there are several answers on how to preserve dry fruits at home, you can choose what works best with what you have around you!

Conclusion

Now that you know how to store dry fruits at home and their numerous benefits, go stock up on some.

Polish yourself with these dry fruits’ names and make scrumptious treats for your family this winters!

Siddhi Panchal

Siddhi Panchal is a food blogger at CookingwithSiddhi and food aficionado who loves to cook. Her cooking skills cover a range of Indian and international cuisines. Her aim is to enable other food enthusiasts explore their love for food by helping them cook delectable dishes from India and around the world.