Sundried fruits = raw?

[punkspirit]

Hi,

I just e-mailed a organic manufacturer about their dried fruits sortiment... The answer was quit honest and I think to be trusted...

"Figs, apricots and raisins are sundried. It seems unlikely that the temperature in this process will get over 45°C. They are not heat treated in any other way."

This was the answer...Can I consider them raw now? Please help me... I want to buy some... (There are no supplements on them btw..)

Btw: The answer for dates was, that they get processed by steam :( I love dates... but I am glad about such hones answers;)

Thank you for your help!

[Stina]

Yes, and that company respectfully gave the solid info to base that decision on.

[sport]

Does that mean that probably all dates are processed this way.

[punkspirit]

I dont know... Maybe all dates that arent especially declared as "RAW".

Usually I would order them on "my" online shop that offers a huuuge sortiment of raw food and they have dates too. And those are DEFINTELY not steamed. SO. there exist reall raw dates...

but I am abroad at the moment and search for alternatives ;)

[DavidZaneMason]

As long as you are eating food that some one else processed (and it's not fresh, raw produce) you just have to go with what you believe. If YOU believe it is an optimal food...I would go for it. Of course, personally, I would seek to limit and eventually eliminate the items YOU deem 'questionable' your diet completely. This is just my experience. Why deal with second best or questionable goods?

-David Z. Mason

[veganman]

Does that mean that probably all dates are processed this way.


Hi Sport -

not all dates are steamed. It depends on the grower/processer. Oasis and Jewel Date companies do steam some of their dates, depending on the type of date and the dryness of the crop. From what they have told me, it is to help rehydrate it. I have also talked with some fig farmers that wash in warm to hot water so that the fig is a bit more moist. This does not sit well. At Raw From the Farm (http://rawfromthefarm.com), the dates are not steamed or rehydrated (and they are quite yummy!) and the figs are washed in cold water only.

[punkspirit]

I have also talked with some fig farmers that wash in warm to hot water so that the fig is a bit more moist.

I read recently that the same thing happens to avocados... some producer put them into a hot water-bath:(

[Stina]

oh no- runs to put head in sand!