Drying grapes at home
Dried grapes have high taste and are also used in medicine. The quality of the product depends on the grapes. There are 5 main drying methods, the most used is in an electric dryer.
Drying grapes at home
Description of raisins
Dried grapes are called raisins. His homeland is Egypt.
Dried grapes are divided into the following types:
- normal - light green color, medium size, has one large seed;
- raisins - small in size, seedless, a light or green variety is used, another name is sabza;
- large - large in size, with a stone, sweet;
- Shigani is a type of product that includes several varieties in one, can have a different spectrum of taste.
100 g of berries contains 300 kcal. The product is non-dietary due to the high percentage of sugar content.
To choose the right raisins, look at the following factors:
- if the product is purchased, the package should be transparent: this will help to consider the quality of the product;
- dried white grapes are more often processed - it is important to rinse them thoroughly before eating;
- black product often with dyes; if blue marks remain on the fingers, it is of poor quality;
- shiny light color of the berry indicates additional processing;
- if the consistency is crumbly and dry, this is a good sign;
- hard raisins indicate dryness.
Preparation
Initially, berries are selected correctly for drying. They take into account the size, the percentage of sugar, etc. During the procedure, more than 80% of the liquid leaves, but the sugar remains, therefore the sweetest varieties are harder to dry, but they will be more tasty.
Before picking berries, the foliage is thinned out and the shoots are minted. Watering is stopped for 14 days.
Drying methods
The main methods on how to dry grapes at home:
- in the sun;
- in the shadow;
- using an electric dryer;
- soda or boiling water;
- using the oven.
In the sun and in the shade
There is a type of drying grapes at home in the sun. This process is the easiest. Take a lattice or plywood, spread the fruits on top. They put cheesecloth on the berries: this helps to protect them from the winds. The grates are placed in a sunny place and kept until the grapes turn dark.
In Asian countries, raisins are obtained only in the shade. For this, special clay rooms with small holes are used, where whole bunches are placed. The advantage of this method is that more nutrients and color are retained.
In the oven
Only healthy berries are to be dried.
Before drying the grapes in the oven, only beautiful and healthy berries with a dense skin are selected. The oven is heated to 55 ° C.
The crop is spread on a baking sheet. The oven door is systematically opened to reduce moisture. The grapes themselves are mixed. How juicy the product will be depends on how often the oven is turned on and off.
Drying time - up to 3 days. The larger the fruit, the longer the process. On the last day, the grapes are dried at 35 ° C.
In an electric dryer
The method of drying grapes in an electric dryer is the fastest. Only hard grapes are suitable for this.
Types of electric dryers:
- Convective. Cheaper, but worse perform functions, allows you to dry only the top layer;
- Infrared. Faster performs functions, more expensive.
Drying grapes in an electric dryer will turn out in this way:
- choose whole and ripe fruits;
- washed the prepared product;
- the grapes are separated from the bunch;
- fill all sections of the electric dryer.
An electric dryer is more often used for drying white grapes - raisins. From 2 kg of fruit, up to 0.5 kg of raisins will come out. The pallet is changed every hour. The first call lasts 7 hours, the second - 8. If the grapes are large, the grapes are dried a third time.
Alkaline method
To obtain dried grapes using the alkaline method, 3 ingredients are used:
- potash - 20 g;
- water - 1 l;
- lime - 10 g.
All components are mixed, and then for 10 minutes. the berries are dipped into the resulting liquid, then washed. After this procedure, the grapes are left to dry for 7 days. During this period, the berries are systematically turned over.
Storage
You need to store raisins at home in a special cloth bag or in a glass jar. Plastic containers are also used. A special jar with a vacuum lid is better suited, which helps the raisins to retain all their properties.
After cooking, the product is stored for no longer than a year.
Healing properties
Dried grapes with white berries are beneficial for the body. It contains more than 65% of vitamins, micro and macro elements are fully preserved. Such grapes are useful for strengthening the immune system, relieves puffiness.
It used to be thought that raisins can calm the nerves and have a positive effect on the nervous system. Helps cope with insomnia. Has antipyretic effect, good for the body in case of respiratory diseases.
The product is harmful under the following conditions:
- allergic reactions, individual intolerance;
- obesity;
- stomach ulcers and diseases in an aggravated form;
- diabetes.
Conclusion
Dried grapes have a number of advantages: a high level of vitamins and nutrients, good taste, ease of preparation, and a positive effect on the body. Most often grapes are dried in an electric dryer: it is faster and more convenient.
Raisins are used in many dishes. In some countries - for medical purposes, since the product is good for the body.