Storage rules for dried apples

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Dried apples are of great value in cooking. They are very useful for the body: they have a beneficial effect on the digestive system and increase immunity. They contain many vitamins, minerals, fiber and ascorbic acid.

Storage rules for dried apples

There are many ways to store dried apples at home. Let's consider the most optimal options.

Fruit preparation

Which apples to choose

To obtain high-quality and tasty products for the winter, you should use medium-sized thin-skinned fruits - they have small seed chambers, therefore there will be less waste in the process of cutting them.

Apples of autumn varieties with a sweet and sour taste are best suited for storage (sweet ones after drying have a weak taste and aroma). The best varieties are Antonovka, Pepin and Aport.

Processing technology

First, the fruits are washed, unnecessary fragments are cut out - places of damage by worms and mechanical injuries.

The apples are cut in half, cored and the stem removed. Then cut into slices 0.3-0.5 cm thick.

Next, you need to dry the slices, for this the hostesses use different methods:

• in the sun on warm summer days;
• in the oven at a temperature of 50-50 °, stirring regularly;
• in an electric dryer - at a certain temperature specified in the instructions, after 2-3 hours the drying reaches full readiness;
• in the microwave at a power of 300 watts for 2-3 minutes.

With this method of preparation, drying retains all vitamins and nutrients.

Conditions and storage location

Storage of dried apples involves the creation of certain conditions that will ensure good keeping quality of the fruit.

First, you need a dark, dry, well-ventilated area.

Keep in mind that apples will quickly deteriorate near heat sources. And one more important condition: you cannot place them next to products with a rich aroma, since they tend to absorb odors.

The room temperature should not exceed 10 °. For a product prepared in summer, a glazed balcony or window sill will be an ideal place in an apartment, where the risk of parasites is minimized. The main thing is to create protection from the sun's rays.

With the onset of cold weather, when the temperature decreases, and the humidity level rises, drying must be brought to a warm and dry place - placed in the pantry. There is no humidity or sun in this place. To be sure, you can put a bowl of salt next to it, which will absorb excess moisture.

Choice of containers

In a rag sack

Dried apples are best stored in a rag bag

You can store dried apples at home in a bag - this is the most optimal way. You can sew it yourself, the main thing is to choose a natural and not too dense fabric for this.

The advantage of this method is excellent protection against the penetration of various parasites.In addition, apples will not suffocate or mold.

Before laying the bag, wash it with laundry soap, then hang it up without rinsing, dry it, fill it with the product, tie it tightly and place it in a dry and well-ventilated place.

In the box

You can save dried apples for the winter in other containers. Use, for example, a regular cardboard box, wooden box, or wicker basket.

A capacious container places such a product in large quantities, but it just does not protect against the penetration of various parasites. Therefore, during storage, drying should be periodically inspected for the appearance of aphids, midges, moths and other insects. In addition, in such a place, the risk of mold and mustiness is not excluded.

Keeping quality depends on a properly equipped container - a sheet of edible paper is placed on the bottom, then a layer of drying, then parchment again, and so on to the top. Cover the top with parchment paper. A container with salt is placed next to it to absorb moisture.

In the bank

The method of storing dried apples in jars is the most popular.

Use sealed glass containers. It is important to pay attention to the quality of the product and the condition of the container - they must be completely dry, otherwise, over time, the drying stored in the jar under the nylon lid will quickly become moldy.

To avoid the appearance of parasites, dried apples should be periodically poured from one container to another, providing them with ventilation in this way.

The advantage of such storage is that there is always the opportunity to spot insects in time that like to feast on fruit drying.

Pest control

You can protect a product dried for the winter from the invasion of parasites in an apartment or house as follows:

• the apple slices are first washed under running water;
• then immersed in a weakly concentrated saline solution (1 tsp salt per 1 liter of water);
• at the end, the cutting must be dipped in a vinegar solution (1 tbsp. l. substance per 1 liter of water) for 10 minutes.

This method helps to protect drying from aphids, moths, midges and other parasites.

Destruction of parasites

You can get rid of insects from apples

If you spot insects in dried apples, do not rush to throw them away, because they can still be saved. There are several ways:

1. Transfer the product to a baking sheet and send to the oven for half an hour at 60 °. The same method is effective in the case of mold. But it is not recommended to use a moldy product in food, even after careful processing.
2. The second option is to put the dryer in the freezer for an hour. In frost, all parasites, incl. the larvae of aphids and moths die safely.
3. The container in which the insects have wound up must be processed - rinse the glass jars and heat in the oven, replace the cardboard box with a new one, wash the cloth bag with soap and iron.

Long-term storage secrets

A well-dried product in an airtight container can lie for several years.

At home, this can only be ensured in a dry, well-ventilated and dark room. In this case, the humidity level should not exceed 30%, the optimum temperature is 10 °.

You can extend the shelf life of dried apples if you regularly pour it from one container to another, which will ensure good ventilation.

Conclusion

There are many ways to save dried apples in winter.

The main thing is to properly prepare, fruit slices, dry them, transfer them to a sterile container and ensure the proper conditions - darkness, dryness and good ventilation.

So it will turn out to prepare the product for a long time and enjoy its taste at any time of the year.