Dried fruit can be a small, sweet addition to your morning coffee; the apricots reviewed provide around 0.6–0.8 g of protein per 20 g serving. If you want more protein with your break, try adding apricots to quark, for example. As a guide, 150 g of low-fat quark provides 12.6 g of protein according to the Voedingscentrum, while 20 g of AH Soaked Dried Apricots adds a calculated 0.8 g. Bear in mind your chosen portion, the total sugars, any allergens and storage instructions.
After strength or endurance training, you want to know how your coffee-break snack contributes to your protein intake. According to the Voedingscentrum, recreational athletes don’t need special protein products, so it’s worth looking at your overall diet too.
You want something sweet with your coffee, while keeping track of how much sugar and protein you’re getting in your own portion. The Voedingscentrum advises having no more than a handful of dried fruit, as it contains a lot of sugar.
You want to take fruit to work that suits the storage facilities available there. Instructions vary by product: AH Soaked Dried Apricots must be refrigerated after opening, while Jumbo and PLUS advise storing the apricots reviewed in a cool, dry, dark place.
First decide whether you want dried fruit as a snack on its own, as a topping for quark, or paired with nuts. Then compare the amount per portion and check that the storage instructions and ingredients suit your needs.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per portion | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g with your own portion. Jumbo lists 0.6 g per 20 g; based on the label, AH provides 0.8 g per 20 g. | If I want to factor in my protein intake after exercise, I look at the whole snack and the rest of my diet. Around 42% of consumers say the actual protein contribution is their main concern when buying. |
| Sugars and portion size | Check total and added sugars separately, and always compare the same portion size. The Voedingscentrum advises having no more than a handful of dried fruit. | If I want something sweet with my coffee but want to choose my portion carefully, both sugar figures matter. Around 25% of consumers prioritise portion size and sugar content. |
| Storage after opening | Read the instructions for the exact product. AH says its soaked apricots must be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7°C. | If I want to keep my snack at work, the packaging needs to suit the refrigeration available. Around 17% of consumers mainly consider portability and storage. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging. For the apricots reviewed, Jumbo states that they may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame; the NVWA says allergen information must be shown on the label of prepacked products. | If I have a personal allergy or other dietary restriction, I check the exact packaging, even if the product is mainly fruit. Around 16% of consumers make suitability for dietary restrictions their top purchasing priority. |
Jumbo lists 3.2 g of protein per 100 g of dried apricots, but 0.6 g per 20 g portion. So the amount you eat during your coffee break gives a different picture from the figure per 100 g.
Compare products using the same portion size, and count any extras separately.
PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars, but also 53.4 g of total sugars per 100 g. These figures refer to different things.
Check both figures and decide how much of the pack you want to eat.
AH Soaked Dried Apricots must be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7°C and have a limited shelf life once opened.
Check the storage instructions for the exact product before buying.
Once opened, you’ll need suitable fridge space for the remaining contents.
The AH, Jumbo and PLUS apricot products reviewed all list sulphites. Jumbo also warns that the product may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame.
If you have a personal dietary restriction, rely on the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact pack.
AH Soaked Dried Apricots are a specific fruit option for a small snack or as a topping.
Jumbo Dried Pitted Apricots 250 g lists nutritional values per 100 g and per 20 g portion.
Lidl describes Alesto as a product range that includes nuts and dried fruit.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Sun-Dried Apricots in a 250 g pack.
PLUS Dried Apricots are a specific fruit option with information on total and added sugars.
Dirk lists pitted apricots in its dried fruit and nuts category.
This selection focuses on a coffee-break snack that combines dried fruit and nuts.
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A good fit for anyone who likes to pair dried fruit with cashew nuts alongside their coffee.
The product information lists sweetened dried cranberries. The mix contains cashew nuts and may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, recreational athletes don’t need special protein products. Protein requirements may be higher for strength and endurance training, so consider your overall diet rather than just your coffee-break snack.
Not all varieties. AH Soaked Dried Apricots must be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7°C. For other products, follow the storage instructions on the pack.
No. PLUS Dried Apricots lists 0 g of added sugars, but also 53.4 g of total sugars per 100 g. Remember to consider how much you actually eat.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. According to the NVWA, allergen information for prepacked products must be shown on the label. For the apricots reviewed, Jumbo states that they may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame.
No. Protein appearing in the nutrition table doesn’t, by itself, justify a nutrition claim. According to the NVWA, nutrition claims must comply with European rules, so check the claim and the information on the specific packaging.
