Dry Fruits Buying Guide: Almonds, Cashews, Dates, Figs and Raisins

Dry fruits are a great everyday snack, but grades, varieties and prices can be confusing. Here is what to know.

Almonds

• California almonds: sweet, uniform, the everyday choice.
• Mamra almonds: rarer, oilier and nuttier, with a curved shape.

Cashews

Grades such as W240 and W320 refer to the number of kernels per pound: a lower number means larger kernels. W240 is larger, W320 is a great all-rounder for sweets and gravies.

Dates and figs

• Medjool: big, soft, caramel-like.
• Kimia: dark, moist and honeyed.
• Dried figs (anjeer): chewy with crunchy seeds.

Raisins

Black, golden, green and seedless raisins each have a slightly different taste and use. Black raisins are good for soaking; golden ones are lovely in pulav and halwa.

Storage

Store in airtight jars, away from heat and moisture. In humid weather, refrigerate nuts to prevent them turning rancid.

Explore all dry fruits and nuts.