Chile has advantages as an almond producer due to its location in the southern hemisphere, offering a fresh product for six months of the year. Chilean almonds have a lower chemical load due to the low incidence of pests and the absence of aflatoxin. The almond tree, adapted to the Mediterranean climate, is resistant to drought but not so much to the cold. Pollination, carried out by bees, occurs in March, and the fruit matures in approximately nine months. The plantations are focused on the central area of Chile, from Rancagua to the north, highlighting the favorable conditions of the region.
Plums, rich in minerals, vitamins and fiber, benefit from dehydration, with prunes standing out for their concentration of nutrients. With antioxidant properties, high potassium and fatty acid content, they are recommended for hypertension. The dried plum, with five times more fiber than the fresh one, relieves constipation and promotes intestinal health, in addition to being useful in various problems such as fluid retention, muscle problems, cough and bronchitis. In Chile, the D'Agen variety is preferred for dehydration, carried out in the sun or in tunnels for faster drying. After the process, the plums are calibrated, selected and washed before going through tenderization, restoring moisture. The final product can be sold with or without pit, removed manually or with machinery.
The walnut, the fruit of the walnut tree native to Persia, is grown in temperate areas of Europe, Asia, Africa and the USA, especially in California, the world's main producer. Valued for its chemical composition with high concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, the walnut improves vascular and coronary health, generating growth in global demand due to its benefits and being a natural snack without cholesterol. Walnut consumption is linked to cold seasons and religious festivities, being an ingredient in traditional dishes or consumed alone. Global production reaches approximately one million tons, divided into shelled and shelled walnut markets. Chile, being in the southern hemisphere, has the advantage of supplying the market when the harvests end in the northern hemisphere.
Variety: Extra Light / Light Sizes: Butterfly / Quarter Pieces
Harvests: March -April
Raisins
The raisin, a dehydrated fruit that can last up to 100 years, is typical of low-altitude temperate areas and is resistant to cold, but vulnerable to temperatures below 2 degrees below zero after the appearance of sprouts. Raisins, dried while preserving their nutritional value, are made by selecting and collecting ripe grapes, drying them mainly in the sun and then washing them to remove impurities. In Chile, the harvest of raisins, such as the Thompson, Flame and Crimson varieties, begins in February and can extend until October or November. Rich in fiber, sodium, potassium and vitamin B, raisins are a detoxifying and energetic food due to their high sugar content. In world trade, Chile stands out as one of the main exporters of raisins, along with Turkey and the United States, being part of the 12 producing countries led by the United States, Turkey, China and Iran.
Origin: Chile
Variety: Thompson / Crimson / Golden /Flame Sizes: Jumbo 12mm / Medium 9-12mm
