Dry fruits are a favourite festive gift and a common part of sweets and snacks. They are also expensive, so it is worth checking quality before you buy.
General checks
- Smell: fresh dry fruits smell mild and nutty. A bitter, oily or musty smell means they are old or rancid.
- Look: even colour, no mould, no holes, no insects or webs in the pack.
- Packaging: check the packing date, best-before date and that the seal is intact.
Almonds
Choose almonds that are whole, similar in size and evenly coloured. Broken pieces and a bitter taste suggest old stock.
Cashews
Good cashews are creamy white, whole and crisp. Yellowish, shrivelled or soft cashews are often stale.
Raisins
Raisins should be soft but not sticky or wet, without crystals of sugar on the surface or any sour smell.
Walnuts
Walnut kernels should be light brown and smell fresh. Dark, bitter kernels are old. Walnuts in the shell keep fresh longer.
Dates and figs
Dates should be soft and glossy without a fermented smell. Dried figs should be soft and evenly coloured.
Price and quantity
Compare the price per kg, not per packet. Mixed packs and gift boxes look attractive but often cost more for the same quantity.
Storage
- Keep dry fruits in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.
- For longer storage, many people keep nuts in the fridge in a sealed container to slow down rancidity.
- Take out only what you need with a dry spoon.
Gifting
Small boxes of a few good-quality dry fruits make better gifts than large boxes of poor quality. Add a handwritten note to make it personal.