Dried Fruit

Organic dried fruit from Just Natural, Naturya and Goodies. Raisins, sultanas, currants, apricots, prunes, figs, Medjool and Deglet Nour dates, mango, apple rings, banana chips, cranberries, sour cherries, goji berries and mulberries.

Dried apricots come in two forms. Sulphured ones are treated with sulphur dioxide, which keeps them bright orange. Unsulphured ones oxidise naturally and turn brown, with a deeper, more caramelised flavour. The colour is the giveaway, and it's the reason supermarket apricots are orange and health food shop ones usually aren't.

Medjool dates are large, soft and toffee-like. Deglet Nour dates are firmer, drier and less sweet – better for baking, where you don't want them turning to paste.