Dried Fruit Tea

Dried Fruit drinks have been prepared since ancient times in different countries of the world. This drinks used to be called “Tea Compote” in Armenia, which were claimed by the medieval Armenian healers to be leading to a harmony of body and mind, supports liver health and hormonal balance, strengthens body and keeps stress away.

In Ukraine, a decoction of dried fruits is known as Uzvar.  In the old days, uzvar was mainly prepared for Christmas, today it is prepared, sold and bought at any time of the year, even in summer, despite the abundance of fruits and berries, because it has a pleasant, not sugary taste, and it quenches thirst well. Uzvar quickly spread over Russia, as well.

What is the use of Dried Fruit drinks?

The benefit is determined by the beneficial properties of the fruits and berries makeing up the drink. Dried fruits are known to contain vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and pectin, fiber, glucose (useful for the brain) which are very important for intestines. Apples that are a necessary ingredient of such a drink are antioxidants, so drinking it can remove free radicals from the body. It is also noted that, depending on the fruits additionally used to prepare the drink, the dried fruit drink relieves inflammation, strengthens immune system, increases hemoglobin, improves the functioning of intestines and gastrointestinal tract as a whole, of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and also tones, removes salts and “Bad” cholesterol.

Those who want to improve bowel function, are advised to add prunes to dried fruit tea; those with reduced immunity – hawthorn; those who suffer from high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases – dried apricots. By the way, if you make a drink in with a lot of dried apricots, and do not put sugar or other sweeteners in, you will get an excellent diuretic full of vitamins. Moreover, dried fruit drink is also known as a remedy for dealing with hangover – because it invigorates, helps get rid of accumulated toxins.

How to correctly make a drink of dried fruits?

The role of the preparation process of dried fruit drinks is also very important. That’s an unusual compote, which is brewed for some time after the water boils: uzvar is taken away from stove immediately after the water with dried fruit boils. Before boiling uzvar, dried fruits are washed if necessary and soaked in water so that they soak and swell. There are two options of soaking dried fruits: you can leave them overnight (as our grandmothers did), or you can only do it for 10-15 minutes. Proportions for the preparation of uzvar: approximately 400 grams of dried fruit per 2 liters of water. Sugar for this amount of water needs to be about 250 grams, and honey – about one and a half tablespoons (50-60 grams).

But the recipe of the Armenian “tea compote” is extremely simple – just pour boiling water into prepared dried fruit and leave them to brew under the lid. This method is considered less “traumatic” for fruits as they lose less vitamins. Traditionally, this drink is sweetened with honey when it has cooled down. You can enhance the taste of the drink and spice it up with cloves, cinnamon, lemon or orange zest.

You can make a drink of dried fruits yourself, or just make a fruit shake – Dried Fruit tea by Chayane.