Nuts & Dried Fruit Guide: From Pistachios to Dates

Nuts and dried fruit are an essential part of Turkish cuisine – with tea, on the breakfast table, as an office snack or as a treat on holidays. In our Nuts & Dried Fruit collection, shipped from our warehouse in Germany, you will find a wide selection ranging from Antep pistachios and roasted hazelnuts to Malatya apricots and Medjool dates. In this guide we introduce the varieties by product group and explain what to look for on the label, how to use them in the kitchen and how to store them properly.

What is kuruyemiş?

In the broad sense, kuruyemiş is a product family that includes tree nuts, roasted seeds and pulses, and dried fruit. In Türkiye, besides hazelnuts, Antep pistachios, walnuts, almonds and leblebi, dried apricots, dried figs, raisins, dried mulberries and dates are also considered part of this family. The varieties may be raw, roasted, salted or unsalted; dried fruit is dried in the sun or with other drying methods. Every product has a different texture, aroma and use, so knowing the product type and pack size makes the right choice easier.

Traditionally, nuts are part of welcoming guests, long winter evenings and festive tables. Today they are also widely used in the modern kitchen – from muesli bowls and salads to homemade granola and dessert recipes.

Nuts and dried fruit at WeNatur

The products in our collection can be grouped into four main categories. All products are sold under the WeNatur brand and shipped with DHL or DPD from our warehouse in Germany.

Tree nuts and pistachios

• WeNatur Antep Pistachios 700 g: large, aromatic pistachios from the Gaziantep region; no artificial additives or preservatives.
• WeNatur Roasted Hazelnuts 500 g and 1000 g: ingredients 100% roasted hazelnuts, origin Türkiye. Their crunchy texture makes them suitable both as a snack and for baking.
• WeNatur Raw Almonds 800 g: unroasted and without added salt; great in muesli, salads and baking recipes.
• WeNatur Roasted Almonds 800 g: crunchy roasted almonds with a fine salt coating.
• WeNatur Roasted Cashews 800 g: 100% cashews; suitable for salads, baking and a variety of dishes.
• WeNatur Walnut Kernels 750 g and Walnuts in Shell 500 g: in-shell walnuts stay fresh when stored properly; walnut kernels can go straight into recipes.

Mixes, seeds and leblebi

• Mixed Nuts Premium 800 g: Antep pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds and cashews together – a practical choice for anyone who wants to try several varieties in one pack.
• WeNatur Roasted Pumpkin Seeds 250 g: ingredients 100% pumpkin seeds; the classic companion to tea time.
• WeNatur Roasted Leblebi 800 g: crunchy yellow leblebi made from 100% chickpeas; also good in salads.
• WeNatur Roasted Corn 500 g: made with corn, salt, vegetable oil and spices; ideal for movie nights and trips.

Dried fruit

• Malatya Yellow Dried Apricots 1000 g: sun-dried using natural methods; with their soft, fleshy texture they suit desserts and compote.
• Naturally Dried Aydın Mountain Figs 1000 g: from the Aegean, thin-skinned with a honey-like aroma; ingredients 100% dried figs.
• Seedless Black Raisins 400 g, Dried Mulberries 250 g and Dried Mango 500 g: soft options for muesli, yoghurt and baked goods.

Dates

• Medjool Dates 1 kg and the 5 kg pack for large families: 100% dates, no artificial additives or preservatives.
• Kudüs Dates 1000 g: dried using traditional methods, free from additives and preservatives and suitable for a vegan diet.

What should you look for on the label?

To choose the right product, it is worth reading the back of the pack as well as the front. We recommend paying particular attention to the following points:

• Ingredients list: single-ingredient products such as “100% almonds” or “100% roasted hazelnuts” have a short list. Products with added salt, vegetable oil and spices, like the roasted corn, have a longer one.
• Raw or roasted: raw almonds are more versatile in recipes, while roasted products are ready to eat as a snack.
• Salt: if you are looking for an unsalted option, look for “no added salt”; the roasted almonds have a fine salt coating.
• Allergen information: tree nuts are among the most common allergens. For example, the leblebi and cashew labels state “may contain hazelnuts”, and the walnut and almond labels state “may contain traces of other tree nuts”.
• Pack size: 250 g packs are good for trying, while 800 g, 1 kg or 5 kg packs suit families who eat a lot and anyone who uses plenty in the kitchen.
• Region: regional details – pistachios from Gaziantep, apricots from Malatya, figs from Aydın – are given in the product title and description.

Recipe ideas for the kitchen

Nuts are not just a snack; they add texture and aroma to many recipes. Here are some practical ideas for bringing the different varieties into your everyday cooking:

• Breakfast: add chopped dried apricots, dried mulberries and a handful of raw almonds to your yoghurt or muesli.
• Salads: roasted cashews, leblebi or walnut kernels add crunch to green salads and grain salads.
• Desserts and baking: Antep pistachios and hazelnuts work in cakes, cookies and baklava; seedless black raisins and figs in cake and bread doughs.
• Compote: with Malatya apricots and raisins you can prepare hoşaf, the classic Turkish winter compote.
• Date treats: fill pitted Medjool dates with walnuts or almonds for an easy treat for guests.
• Guest platter: divide mixed nuts, pumpkin seeds and roasted corn into small bowls to create a platter for tea time.

If you are looking for a sweet companion, browse our Turkish delight varieties, the fruit bars for packaged snacks, and the parent collection Snacks & Sweets.

How to store nuts and dried fruit

Aroma and crunchiness depend largely on storage conditions. The general rules are:

• After opening, keep the product in an airtight container or in its tightly closed packaging.
• Choose a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and keep it away from the hob and oven.
• Thanks to their shell, in-shell walnuts stay fresh longer under suitable conditions; try to use walnut kernels soon after opening.
• Protect soft fruit such as apricots, figs and dates from moisture and store them in a dry container so they do not stick together.
• Always check the best-before date and the storage advice on the pack.

Frequently asked questions

Which pack sizes are available?

The collection includes various sizes – from 250 g pumpkin seeds and mulberries and 400 g raisins, through 500 g and 800 g packs, up to 1 kg of hazelnuts, apricots, figs and dates. Medjool dates are also available in a 5 kg pack.

How should I choose if I have an allergy?

Allergen information is given on every product page. If you are allergic to tree nuts, take into account not only this information but also the “may contain” warnings, and do not eat the product if you are unsure.

Where and how is my order shipped?

All orders are shipped with DHL or DPD from our warehouse in Germany; shipping within Germany is free for orders over 100 €. For details, see our shipping policy.

Are nuts a good gift?

Yes. Products such as mixed nuts, Antep pistachios and Medjool dates are popular for holidays and visits. Combine different varieties to put together your own gift basket.

Conclusion

From Antep pistachios to Aydın figs, from roasted leblebi to Medjool dates, WeNatur's nuts and dried fruit bring the familiar flavours of Turkish cuisine to your table in Europe. By reading the ingredient and allergen information on the label, choosing the right pack size and storing the products properly, you can enjoy every pack for a long time. See all varieties in our Nuts & Dried Fruit collection, and contact us with any questions.

Source: Wikipedia – Nut (food)