Apricots “Kandak unpitted”

Description

1. How it is grown and harvested: Uzbekistan is among the world’s largest producers of apricots, and apricot drying is a centuries-old tradition in the Fergana Valley, Samarkand and the foothill regions. Hot, dry summers with almost no rain during harvest allow the fruit to be dried naturally in the open air, and the large difference between day and night temperatures gives the fruit a high sugar content and a rich aroma. Kandak is a traditional apricot variety grown in the mountain and foothill orchards of Central Asia. Its fruit is small, very sweet and richly aromatic. The apricots are left to ripen fully on the tree, collected by hand, carefully pitted and then dried in the sun. The result is a small, firm, deeply flavoured dried apricot with intense, honey-like sweetness. Kandak trees often grow at higher altitudes, where strong sunshine and cool nights help the fruit build intense flavour. Because the fruit is small, it dries quickly and evenly in the dry mountain air.

2. Processing and packaging details: After drying, Kandak apricots are cleaned of dust, leaves and debris, washed and carefully inspected so that stones and stone fragments are removed, together with damaged fruit and foreign matter. Because the fruit is pitted, it is ready to eat or use straight from the pack. The product is packed in food-grade liners inside export cartons for clean, safe transport and storage. The product is offered in two calibres: Size 1 (large, select fruit) and Size 4 (smaller fruit, an economical choice for processing, baking and compotes). Store dried apricots in a cool, dry place (ideally 5–15 °C, relative humidity below 65%), away from direct sunlight. Cold storage helps preserve colour and softness for longer. Under proper conditions the product keeps its quality for 12 months or more. Each lot can be supplied with export documentation, including a phytosanitary certificate and certificate of origin, on request.

3. Health benefits and nutrition: Kandak apricots offer concentrated natural sugars for energy together with potassium, iron, magnesium, beta-carotene and dietary fibre. Their small size and rich flavour make them a satisfying, natural snack, and because they are pitted they are convenient for children and for eating on the go. Kandak is traditionally enjoyed in small portions with green tea, and its intense flavour means that just a few apricots are very satisfying. It is a natural product with no added sugar or preservatives. Kandak is enjoyed as a premium snack on the dastarkhan with green tea, in compotes and dried-fruit drinks, chopped into baking, porridge and desserts, and in speciality and oriental food shops.

Typical values per 100 g of fruit without stones. Sun-dried, no added sugar or colourants. Contains sulphites.