Preserving fresh fruit after harvesting can ensure you have some to snack on throughout the seasons they are not available. One of the most popular ways fruits are preserved is by canning. However, canning is not the only method useful today for persevering freshly picked produce. Dehydrating the harvested fruits of summer is another way to preserve the sweet treats for autumn and winter months. Below is a guide on how to dehydrate fruit yourself.
How to Dehydrate Fruit
Dehydrating fruits creates a plentiful stash of treats to enjoy when the produce is not available throughout the off seasons. The most popular way everyone is dehydrating fruits these days is with a dehydrating machine, which you can pick up at any kitchen store. Once you have some on hand, you can begin using the steps below to dry and preserve your freshly picked produce yourself.
- Fruits you can washed, dry and toss onto the dehydrating wracks with ease are blueberries, cherries, cranberries and grapes. Berries such as strawberries, raspberries and blackberries should skip the washing process because they will become mush. Instead, just remove any leaves, stems and twigs and toss them onto the wracks. Fruits that need peeling, slicing and a brush of freshly squeezed lemon juice to prevent them from browning before tossing them onto the dehydrating wrack would be bananas, kiwis and pineapples. Fruits that you can leave the skins attached slice up, core and brush with lemon juice to preventing browning before tossing them onto a wrack for drying would be apples, pears, plums and peaches. Once you have chosen the fruits you desire to dehydrate, prepare them properly.
- Place the fruit filled dehydrating wracks into the dehydrating machine and turn it onto the dry fruit setting or follow the instructions in the guide that comes with your dehydrating device. Some dehydrators have set temperatures. If yours does, the temperature for drying fruits is usually, set to 115-degrees to about 135-degrees.
- Allow the fruits to dry for up to eight to twelve hours. Some fruits may take less or more time drying, so keep eyes on the fruits progression.
- By now, the picked fruit you have prepared for dehydrating should be dry and ready for packaging so you can store them away for the fall and winter months to enjoy whenever you want the taste of summer. One of the best ways to package up dried fruit is with a vacuum seal device in individual packages. However, Ziploc bags, jars and airtight containers work well too. It also helps to label each individual package with the name of the fruit packed inside so it is easy to find when you want it for eating or creating a dish or beverage.
- Placing the well-packaged dehydrated fruits away in a cool dry dark spot in your home such as the pantry can ensure the fruits do not mold or spoil in storage. If you do notice spoiling, it is best to toss the dried fruits out so no one gets ill. However, the spoiling and molding of dehydrated fruits is rare unless you package them away while there is still moisture inside of them.
End Notes for How to Dehydrate Fruit
By now, you should have an idea on how to dehydrate freshly picked fruits for the off-season months. If you’re still struggling with this method of preserving fruits, finding books and guides demonstrating the method with pictures can help. You can locate books and guides on dehydrating at your local library and book store. You may even be able to find some books and guides online too.
How to Dehydrate Different Fruits: Grapes, Bananas, Blueberries, Peaches, Pineapple, Mango. Check tips here.
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How do you dehydrate fruit? Share your tips with us!
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