How to dry apricots at home

Content

1 How to choose and prepare
2 How to dry apricots in an electric dryer
3 Drying in the fresh air
4 Drying apricots in the oven
5 Microwave drying
6 How to store

Apricots are a source of vitamins and other beneficial substances. Their properties can be preserved by drying their pulp. First, high-quality fruits are selected, which are cleaned of impurities and seeds. You can dry apricots naturally or using kitchen appliances.

How to choose and prepare

Before starting work, it is important to know the difference between dried apricots and dried apricots. If small fruits with seeds are dried, the result is apricots. Large fruits with seeds left in them are called sheptalas. Dried seedless fruits are kaisa.

When choosing apricots for drying, the variety of the crop matters. To obtain dried apricots, large fruits with a minimum juice content are suitable. Such fruits are distinguished by dense pulp and a high concentration of sugar.

To obtain dried apricots, choose varieties grown in Central Asia with a sugar content of more than 20%. If apricots are grown in the middle zone or in the south, then you need to find varieties containing 10% sugar or more.

Important! During the drying process, the weight of apricots will decrease by 5 times.

For drying, select ripe fruits without signs of rotting or other damage. The fruits are washed well so as not to expose them to moisture in the future. Then they are divided into halves and the seeds are removed.

In industrial conditions, apricots are treated with sulfur dioxide. The procedure ensures the presentation of dried apricots.

Pre-treatment of fresh fruit will help preserve the bright orange color of dried apricots:

Place the apricot halves in a colander.
The colander is held over the steam for 5-10 minutes. If the apricots have hard skin, cook them for 5 minutes.
The fruits are laid out on a piece of cloth that will absorb excess moisture.
After 2-3 hours, the fruit is ready for drying.

Another way to preserve the bright color of fruits is to use citric acid. Add 1 tsp to 1 liter of water. citric acid. The fruits are placed in the solution for 1-2 hours.

How to dry apricots in an electric dryer

To dry fruits at home, you can use a special device - an electric dryer. Its design includes a large container in which several trays are located. Fruits are laid out on them to dry.

The electric dryer operates in one or several temperature modes, which depends on the model of the device. When choosing an electric dryer, take into account its capacity, number of pallets and power.

Drying occurs under the influence of infrared radiation or by heating the air. When using infrared heaters, the beneficial properties of apricots are preserved. In this case, the fruits are cut into small pieces.

In devices with heating elements, fruits lose some of their vitamins and change color. Such devices are suitable for drying large fruits.

The procedure for processing apricots in an electric dryer:

The fruits are washed and prepared for the drying process.
The fruit halves are placed on trays in one layer.
The trays are installed in an electric dryer.
The device is turned on at 50 degrees.
The pallets are swapped every hour.Halfway through the process, the temperature is raised to 60 degrees.
After 8-12 hours, the apricots are removed from the dryer. The processing period depends on the quality and variety of the fruit.
The dried apricots are placed in a box or wooden box. They are placed in a cool place for 3-4 weeks to complete the drying process. As a result, moisture will be redistributed in the pulp.

Drying in the fresh air

In warm climates, apricots dry well naturally in the fresh air. Successful drying requires high temperature and low humidity. It is best to leave the fruits in direct sunlight.

In urban environments, it is important to protect dried apricots from pollution. It is not recommended to start drying near highways or operating enterprises.

The procedure for drying apricots in the fresh air:

The prepared fruits are placed on a wire rack and covered with gauze to protect them from insects and dirt.
The grille is left in a dark, ventilated place.
Within 6 hours the pulp will begin to dry out and the fruit will wilt.
Then the fruit is transferred to a place well lit by the sun.
The dried apricots are kept until completely dry, then stored.

To check the readiness of fruits, evaluate their consistency and condition. You need to take the fruits in your hand and squeeze them a little. If no juice is released, and the pulp remains elastic and soft, then it’s time to put away the dried apricots for permanent storage.

The period for drying dried apricots in the fresh air depends on their quality and size, as well as weather conditions. On average, this process takes from 1 to 2 weeks. In windy weather, the fruits dry out faster.

Advice! To protect against flying insects, apricots are covered with a cloth.To make the fruit inaccessible to ants, when drying on the table, its legs are placed in containers with water.

It is convenient to hang dry apricots. The fruits are strung on a thread or thin rope, which is secured in a horizontal position. This method is used to dry dense fruits with low juice content. Soft fruits are strung on wooden twigs or skewers.

Drying apricots in the oven

In urban conditions, it is easier to dry apricots in a gas or electric oven.

The oven drying process includes several stages:

The baking sheets are covered with parchment paper.
Place apricot halves on top so that the cut is at the top.
The oven is turned on at 50 degrees.
The baking sheets are transferred to the oven.
The door is left ajar to allow air flow. If you close the oven, the apricots will bake.
After 10 hours, the dried apricots are removed from the oven and stored.

Microwave drying

Using a microwave is not the best way to dry apricots. During the drying period, it is important to provide the fruit with air supply. If this is not done, you may end up with boiled fruit.

If there are no other options for drying, you can place fresh fruit in the microwave and turn it on for 2 minutes. The fruits are then removed from the device. The procedure is repeated several times until the desired result is achieved. This method does not ensure complete drying of the apricots.

How to store

Dried apricots are stored under certain conditions:

humidity not more than 70%;
lack of direct sunlight;
temperature from 10 to 20 degrees.

It is best to keep dried apricots at home: in the kitchen cabinet along with cereals and other products. A refrigerator (compartment for vegetables) is good for storage.

Dried apricots are transferred to a glass or plastic jar and closed with a tight lid. It is not recommended to store dried apricots in plastic bags indoors.

The shelf life of dried apricots is from 3 to 4 months. Dried fruits can be stored in the freezer for up to one and a half years. Dried apricots are defrosted gradually, at room temperature. After freezing, the fruits will partially lose their beneficial properties.

Dried apricots are a source of nutrients. For drying, select ripe fruits of sweet varieties that do not have defects. Apricots can be left to dry naturally. Using an electric dryer or oven will help speed up the process.