Dried Mulberry

What Are Dried Mulberries?

Dried mulberries are a naturally sweet dried fruit made by sun-drying ripe white mulberries (Morus alba). In Anatolia, especially in Central and Eastern Anatolia, they are traditionally eaten as a winter snack and used as a sweetener.

They have natural sweetness from the mulberries themselves, with no added sugar. They are eaten as a snack and are also used to make traditional products such as mulberry molasses and köme/orcik (walnut-studded mulberry fruit leather).

Nutritional Values of Dried Mulberries

Because they lose water, dried mulberries are concentrated in sugars and energy; 100 g contains about 360 kcal of energy and a notable amount of fiber, and they are also a source of iron. Values are approximate compared with the fresh form.

What Are the Benefits of Dried Mulberries?

With their fiber, iron, and natural sugar, dried mulberries are a naturally sweet snack that can be included as part of a balanced diet; they provide sweetness without added refined sugar. They should be eaten in moderation because they are concentrated in sugar.

This information is general; dried mulberries are a food and are not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Dried Mulberries

Good-quality dried mulberries are light beige-brown, dry but not rock-hard, and sweet-smelling; mulberries that are excessively dried and hard or have absorbed moisture and clumped have lost freshness.

• The berries should be dry but soft enough to chew.
• Avoid berries that have become excessively hard or have absorbed moisture and clumped.
• There should be no mold spots or sour smell.

How to Store Dried Mulberries

Dried mulberries keep for months in a sealed jar in a cool, dry place; it is important to keep them in an airtight container because moisture can make them clump and mold.

Using Dried Mulberries in the Kitchen

Dried mulberries are eaten as a snack; they can also be ground and added to desserts and milk-based drinks as a natural sweetener, used to make molasses and köme, and added to granola and cereal mixes.

What Is Köme (Orcik)?

It is a traditional sweet made by drying mulberry molasses with walnuts in a sausage-like shape; dried mulberries and their molasses are its main ingredients.

Can Dried Mulberries Be Used with Milk?

Yes; dried mulberries or mulberry powder can be added to milk and smoothies as a natural sweetener, and can also be added to oatmeal.

What Recipes Use Dried Mulberries?

Snack mixes, mulberry molasses, köme/orcik, granola, and naturally sweetened milk-based drinks are among the best-known uses for dried mulberries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do dried mulberries contain sugar?

They contain no added sugar; however, the mulberries’ own natural sugars are concentrated by drying, so they are sweet and high in calories and should be eaten in moderation.

How are dried mulberries made?

Ripe white mulberries are spread on a clean surface and sun-dried, turning them occasionally; once fully dry, they are stored as a snack.

What is the difference between dried mulberries and raisins?

Both are naturally sweet dried fruits; dried mulberries are made from mulberries, while raisins are made from grapes. Their taste and texture differ, and dried mulberries are usually softer and more honey-like.

What can you do if dried mulberries become hard?

Hardened dried mulberries can be softened by soaking them briefly in warm water or milk; they can also be ground and used as powder.

Where are dried mulberries produced?

They are traditionally produced in many mulberry-growing parts of Anatolia, especially Central and Eastern Anatolia.