Making dried cherries at home is quite easy. Once you try this, you will never buy it in the store again. No matter how you eat it (in granola bars, as an ingredient in cream cheese or ice cream), it tastes sweet and lasts much longer than fresh berries. In addition, you can avoid the use of sulfates used in industrial fruit drying.
How it's done?
Using the recipe for making dried cherries will not require much of your time. And, judging by the reviews, the most labor-intensive part is processing and preparing the berries. And although this process Although not difficult, it can still take some time if done manually. Work goes much faster when you use special device for picking out seeds. Therefore, if you want to dry berries in large quantities, you better purchase it in advance. Of course, you can make dried cherries with pits, but eating them will not be very convenient.
What does this process look like?
Rinse the cherries with clean water and let them dry in gauze or on a dry cloth. When the berries are dry, remove the stems and seeds. Without a special device, the easiest way to do this is to cut them in half and remove the seeds with your hands.
The recipe for dried cherries is very simple. Place the berries in a single layer in a food dehydrator or on a baking sheet. If you are using an oven, place a baking sheet with cherries in it at 40 degrees and keep for 6 hours. If you are using a food dehydrator, set the same settings and the same amount of time (or a little less).
Dried cherries are ready when the berries look like large raisins. They will taste tart and sweet. This perfect snack no added sugar. You can use it as an ingredient in homemade muesli and granola.
If you don't have a dehydrator
You can make dried cherries at home and in the sun. To do this, you need to prepare the berries as described above and leave them on trays in a sunny place for 2 to 4 days. You should place the cherry tree high off the ground to protect it from moisture. Be sure to cover it with gauze so as not to attract birds.
Once the berries are completely dry, place them in the oven, preheated to 70 degrees, for about 30 minutes (to kill any insects caught during drying).
After the cherries are dried, let the berries cool at room temperature for about an hour before packing. Then store the product in airtight containers or sealed bags.
After packing, keep an eye on the jars or containers for the first week. If you notice any signs of moisture forming inside, it means the berries are not completely dried and they will not keep well (mold will probably form). Remove the cherries and dry in the oven a little more.
These berries can be eaten plain, but they look and feel good in baked goods and as a topping for ice cream, yogurt, etc. Most recipes that call for raisins will work well with dried cherries, so you might want to try making these replacement.
What are the benefits of cherries?
Dried cherries, like other dried fruits, contains significant amounts of antioxidants, including anthocyanin. This is the substance that gives the berries their deep red color. These antioxidants work in such a way that they can prevent the development of free radicals (atoms in our bodies that can cause a negative chain reaction) and therefore damage to our cells.
Cherries are anti-inflammatory and pain relieving
When the body contains too many free radicals, the immune system is actively involved in fighting harmful reactions. That's why high level The antioxidants found in cherries can support the body by reducing inflammation, pain and feelings of weakness.
Cherry is a sleeping pill
Research shows that cherries are also a dietary source of melatonin, a natural hormone used by the body to achieve deep, restful sleep. Various environmental factors and illnesses can reduce its level and interrupt healthy sleep. Therefore, consumption of cherries, according to experts, can provide insomnia sufferers with a restful night's rest.
Cherries may lower cholesterol levels
Cherries contain high levels of pectin, a dietary fiber often found in fruit. Research suggests that pectin may lower bad cholesterol levels.
On the other hand, cherries contain high levels of a compound called beta-glucosidase, which is believed to reduce the likelihood of degenerative diseases.
Cherry anthocyanidins have been shown to inhibit the activity of xanthine oxidase, an enzyme that plays important role in production uric acid, which helps treat gout. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of the anthocyanidins in cherries has been shown to be stronger than that of vitamin E in the same amounts, and is very helpful in relieving muscle pain after intense exercise.
It has been suggested that daily consumption of anthocyanins may also play a role in preventing hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, most likely due to their anti-inflammatory properties. The antioxidants in cherries have the potential to lower blood sugar levels by increasing the body's natural insulin production.
Vitamin composition of berries
Dried cherries contain vitamin C, A and E, which stimulate immune system and help the body fight disease.
A quarter cup of the dried fruit contains 8 milligrams of vitamin C—11 and 9 percent of the recommended daily intake for women and men, respectively. This compound stimulates collagen production, which strengthens the body's cells and protects you from free radicals. Getting enough vitamin C in your diet also promotes the growth of new cells and helps wounds heal after injury.
Vitamin A, in turn, also supports the growth of new cells, and also plays a big role in wound healing and improving immunity. It also helps improve vision and nourishes the skin. A quarter cup of dried cherries contains 1,132 international units of vitamin A. This represents 38% of the recommended daily intake for men and 49% for women.
Proteins, fats and carbohydrates
Dried cherries are not a high-protein snack. A third of a glass of dried fruit contains only 1 gram of protein. Carbohydrates make up the majority of the calories in dried cherries. A third of a glass contains 34 grams of total carbohydrates, including 2 g dietary fiber. This dried fruit contains almost no fat.
Dried cherries: calorie content and properties, contraindications
During drying, the fibers of the described berry and its chemical composition change insignificantly, since this cooking process only involves removing liquid. However, the calorie content of dried cherries becomes significantly higher than that of fresh ones: 286 kcal per hundred grams versus 52 kcal.
This is also related to the final weight of the prepared product. In addition, dried fruits tend to fill you up more slowly, which can lead to overconsumption. For example, you can successfully snack on a glass of fresh berries, but in dried form the same amount of cherries will be four times smaller. By consuming a quarter glass of dried fruit, you will not get full, and supplement your snack with something else.
Cherries are generally considered safe, but this applies to those who do not have any allergies or contraindications. Therefore, it is recommended to be careful when consuming it in large quantities, since a cumulative allergic reaction is possible.
In addition, this culture contains a lot of acids, which means its consumption is undesirable for those who suffer from chronic diseases stomach and intestines.
How are dried cherries used?
As noted above, unsweetened dried cherries can be not only an independent snack or an addition to cereals and salads. So much good reviews I received a tincture of dried cherries. This product can be made by pouring vodka into dry berries and letting them sit for a long time. It is usually taken in medicinal doses to relieve headaches and relieve tension in muscles and joints.
Cherry powder also adds fresh aroma for cocktails, pies or any sweet dish. Tea made from it helps to make the most of the antioxidant properties of cherries. As a rule, berry powder is mixed with aromatic herbs to make the tea especially tasty.
In the summer, you want to preserve as many fruits as possible, because they pass away so quickly, especially cherries - it seems that as soon as the berries have appeared, the cherry is already giving way to its relative, the sweet cherry. Dried cherries at home are an incredibly tasty and valuable product in all respects. But, most importantly, it is not difficult to prepare.
There is nothing special about drying technology. Sorting fresh fruits, preparation, cooking with sugar, slow drying in an oven or electric dryer, packaging in storage containers. Dried cherries are prepared in a similar way. But, there are some points due to which there is a difference in the characteristics and applications of the finished product:
- Cherries can be dried with the pit. This option is not suitable for drying - the seeds must be removed from the fruit.
- Drying implies the complete absence of moisture in the finished product. After drying, the cherries remain soft and plastic.
- You don't need sugar to make dried cherries. When drying, this ingredient is certainly used.
- If the fruits are dried fresh air, hot sunlight is welcome. Drying cherries is allowed only in the shade.
The result is a product that is eaten simply as a sweet delicacy, used to prepare all kinds of desserts, confectionery, sweet pastries, hot and cold drinks, sauces, meat dishes, rice, vegetables. Decoctions, teas and infusions are prepared from dried berries. medicinal purposes. Cherries, dried together with the stone, do not differ in such variability of use. Dried fruits, for the most part, are used only in compotes.
Before processing, the fruits must be sorted, discarding green, rotten, spoiled, and wormy specimens. At the same time, the raw materials are cleaned of debris - leaves, color residues, cuttings, insects.
Wash thoroughly. You can do this under running water, pouring the berries in small portions into a colander, or in a wide basin. The second method is more convenient, as it allows you to remove small debris stuck to the cherries. To ensure that not the slightest trace of dirt remains, the water in the basin needs to be changed 2-3 times.
The washed, sorted fruits are placed on a sieve, allowing the water to drain. Pour in one layer onto clean kitchen towels so that the moisture is completely removed from the skin of the berries.
The longest, most labor-intensive and painstaking process at the stage of preparing fruits for drying is removing the seeds. You can remove the seeds the old fashioned way by squeezing them out with your fingers. But it is better to use improvised means - a special machine, wooden skewer, straws for cocktails. After this, the raw material is considered ready for further processing.
Sun-dried cherries, video
Basic recipe
Before you begin, you need to weigh the prepared pitted cherries. This is important because the proportions of sugar are calculated based on the weight of pure raw materials. On average, 350-450 g of sugar is taken per 1 kg of fruit. If the berries are very sour, you can add 100-150 grams, no more.
Basic cooking recipe dried cherries looks like that:
- the raw materials are sprinkled with sugar. To ensure even distribution, shake the container slightly;
- leave at room temperature to release the juice;
- after 12-15 hours, the juice is poured into a saucepan with a thick bottom and put on fire;
- carefully place the fruits into the boiling juice, wait for the moment to boil again, reduce the heat to low;
- Boil the cherries in juice for 10 minutes;
- remove the pan from the stove and cool;
- pour into a colander or sieve and strain off the juice.
Important! The less liquid remains in the fruit after cooking, the less time it will take for drying or drying.
The remaining juice is brought to a boil again, poured hot into sterilized jars, and sealed. If desired, you can also use it to make delicious cherry marmalade, winter compotes, sauces.
The cherries are slowly dried (dried) in an oven, electric dryer or in air.
At this stage of time, drying cherries at home is widely popular. This is explained by the fact that even dried berries keep everything inside beneficial features inherent in fresh cherries.
The benefits and harms of dried cherries for the body
Why it’s useful:
- Loss of body weight. Dried cherries are an integral part of many diets. All kinds of decoctions are made from this product, which do not cause harm when following a diet, but will also help to significantly strengthen the immune system.
- Normalization of sleep. Due to the fact that cherries contain melatonin, compotes made from them promote better sleep.
- Improving memory and brain activity. If you drink one glass of compote made from these fruits every day, you can significantly improve your memory and attention.
In addition to all of the above, such dried fruits have an excellent taste, so children will enjoy eating them.
- People suffering from diabetes;
- Children under 2 years of age;
- People with diseases of the food system.
The presented contraindications are due to the fact that the product contains high levels of glucose, so people with high blood sugar should avoid eating cherries in any form.
What varieties are suitable?
Most suitable varieties for drying cherries are the following:
- Vladimirskaya;
- Late spanka;
- Lyubskaya;
- Samarkand.
When choosing cherries for drying, you need to pay attention to the ripeness and richness of the skin color. The pulp should not have a dense texture, and the stone should not be small in size.
Preparing the berries. How to choose seeds?
Immediately before drying, the fruits must be separated from the stalks and washed thoroughly. In order for the drying process to proceed faster, before starting the procedure for drying the berries, you should blanch for 3 minutes.
Immediately before drying, you should decide whether to dry it with or without a pit. If in the future the product will be used exclusively for preparing compotes, you can leave the pit. If the product will be used as a filling for pies or pies, then you need to get rid of the pit. Currently, in specialized stores you can find a lot of devices that will greatly facilitate this process.
To make it easier to remove the seeds, you need to dry the cherries a little at a temperature of at least 30 degrees using an electric dryer.
Drying
At this stage of time, there are several methods for drying cherries:
- In the sun;
- Using an oven;
- Using an electric dryer;
- Using a stove.
Under the sun
Before drying berries outside, they should be properly laid out. That is, just place the berries on a horizontal surface, a tray or a sheet of chipboard, and lay them out in one even layer.
If the seeds from the cherries have been removed, the laying out is done in halves, with the pulp facing up. You can, of course, dry it this way, even if the cherry is whole, but without a pit.
Often such blanks are used as a substitute. For a high-quality effect, the product must spend several days in the sun. As the berries dry, they are turned over and brought indoors when ready.
In an electric dryer
The berries are cut in half and placed on a tray. The temperature in the dryer is set to 50 degrees, and the cherries are dried for 3 hours, then the temperature increases to 60 degrees, and the drying duration is up to 5 hours. Next, the temperature increases to 75 degrees, and the cherries are dried for another 3 hours.
Drying in an electric dryer:
In the oven
In order to carry out this procedure in a real oven, it is necessary to adjust the temperature before starting the procedure. To do this, you need to sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface of the oven, and they should boil. The method itself is simple and is often used in country houses or at the dachas.
In this case, the berries are laid out in an even layer on a sieve, which is placed in the oven. After this, the oven is closed, but you need to leave a small hole for the moisture to evaporate. Drying time is 10-12 hours.
Oven drying
Thanks to this method, you can get not just dried, but dried cherries.
In order for the drying process to be successful, you need to perform the following steps:
- Prepare syrup from water and sugar; for this, the ingredients are taken in a 1:1 ratio, that is, for 500 grams of sugar you should use 500 ml of water;
- In the resulting composition, you need to boil the prepared cherries for 5 minutes;
- You need to remove the berries from the mixture using a slotted spoon, then put them in a colander to remove any remaining syrup.
After these manipulations, the product is laid out on a baking sheet in one layer, and then sent to an oven preheated to 70 degrees. The drying process takes 8 to 9 hours. You can determine the readiness of the product not only by color (dark brown), but also by pressing. When you press the berry with your finger, no juice should come out of it.
Storage rules
The most common way to store dried cherries is to store them in paper bags. If a person is sure that the berries will be used quickly, then they can be placed in a jar. In addition to the storage methods presented, berries are often placed in the freezer.
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Use of dried cherries
Such dried fruits are very popular in the confectionery industry. They are often used to make marmalade, marshmallows or baked goods. But the most common method of use is, of course, compote which, in addition to being tasty, will bring many benefits to the body.
In addition, dried cherries are also used for medicinal purposes in the treatment of bronchitis, arthritis and as an antipyretic.
If you dry the berries correctly, you can get a huge supply of vitamins for the winter and just a delicious fruit.
Solar drying of cherries, raspberries, currants, sweet cherries:
Cherry is one of the most delicious berries. It is popular all over the world among chefs and confectioners. Thousands of dishes are prepared with the addition of this aromatic berries. For the first time, a cherry tree was planted in the Turkish city of Kerasund, which is now called the “Cherry City”. Exactly there cherry berries The Romans tried them and called them “Kerasun fruits.” The Roman commander Lucullus took a cherry tree from the city of Kerasund in 680 BC as a symbol of triumph after his victory over King Mithridates. Luckily, Lucullus was not only a great commander, but also a gourmet. He appreciated the taste of cherries and demanded that they always be served at feasts in his honor. From Rome, cherries began to spread throughout the world; they also came to the ancient Slavs, becoming one of their most favorite berries, which found its use in cooking, cosmetology and pharmacology.
The benefits of dried cherries
Cherries are not only tasty, but also very useful product. They are popular both fresh and dried. Coumarins, which can improve blood clotting, are of particular value to cherries. Doctors recommend eating cherries to prevent diseases of cardio-vascular system, as a prevention of blood clots. Dried cherries contain a lot of pectin substances, which help remove harmful toxic substances from the human intestines. If dried cherries are included in the diet, the benefits from them, according to doctors, will be incredible. After all, eating a handful of dried cherries a day, a person gets daily norm cobalt and magnesium.We greased the trays of the electric dryer with oil and distributed the cherries in an even layer on 7 trays.
. worked for 49 hours at temperature conditions+60 degrees.
. As a result, from 6 kg of fresh cherries we got a kilogram of high-quality dried berries.
. We placed it for storage in glass jars under vacuum covers.
How to store the finished product?
Usually dried cherries are stored in paper bags. You can use ceramic containers with lockable lids. If you do not plan to use the berries in the near future, then it is best to transfer them to glass jars. Store dried cherries in jars under nylon covers no more than a year. But under vacuum lids the fruits will not deteriorate even after a couple of years. But most likely, not a trace of such a delicacy will remain during this time, since the dried cherries will be eaten by members of the household.
Use of dried cherries
You can use homemade dried cherries without limit, you just need to connect your culinary fantasy and all your family and friends will be delighted with the delicacy. Dried cherries can simply be used as sweets (only healthier than store-bought ones) with tea, coffee, or milk. Dried cherries are extremely popular in confectionery. It is used to make marmalade, a wide variety of pastries, marshmallows, cakes, and marmalade. You can make a compote from dried cherries and add it to muffins. It is used to prepare various sauces for meat, gravies and fruit salads.Cherries are dried both with and without pits. Cherries dried with pits are used for brewing medicine for chronic bronchitis, arthritis and as an antipyretic for treating children. Pitted cherries are used in sweet baked goods. If dried cherries are passed through a meat grinder, you will get an excellent filling for pies, dumplings and other desserts.
Several delicious recipes using dried cherries
. drunk cherry.Dried cherries are used to make Drunken Cherry sweets. They can also be prepared at home. You should soak dried cherries for a couple of hours in cherry liqueur or cognac. During this time, melt a chocolate bar (or several, depending on the amount of product required) in a water bath. Place each berry in a mold (you can use cookie cutters or even Styrofoam egg containers), pour melted chocolate over it and place in the refrigerator until the chocolate has completely set. Dessert “Drunk Cherry” is ready.
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Ice cream with dried cherries.
The cherries are soaked for some time. Ice cream is placed in a vase, poured over cherry juice, decorated with dried cherry berries, lightly sprinkled powdered sugar.
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Milk drink.
For one serving you should take 100 grams of ice cream, half a glass of milk, a couple of teaspoons of cherry juice, a teaspoon of sugar and dried cherries. Mix all ingredients in a mixer, pour into bowls and garnish with dried cherries.
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Northern beauty.
Boil a liter of water, add one and a half cups of granulated sugar. After it is completely dissolved, add one and a half glasses of dried cherries, a gram of cinnamon. Cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Then add the previously diluted cold water potato starch(0.5 tablespoon). Boil everything again. Cool the drink and can be served, after filling it with sour cream. Biscuit crackers are perfect for this dish.
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Delicious cottage cheese with cherries.
To prepare you will need: one egg, half a kilo of cottage cheese, sugar to taste, flour - 100 grams, 70 grams of raisins and dried cherries, vanillin, salt, jam (any), breadcrumbs.
Dried cherry fruits are poured with boiling water for half an hour and allowed to swell. During this time you should make the dough. Beat cottage cheese, sugar, vanillin, egg and salt until homogeneous mass. Add flour, mix everything until it becomes a thick dough. Cherries are combined with jam and raisins. From curd dough form small flat cakes, put the filling on them and cover with a second similar flat cake. Pinch the edges so that the filling does not leak out, and roll in breadcrumbs or semolina. Pour into a frying pan vegetable oil, lay out cheesecakes and fry on both sides until a beautiful crispy crust forms. The finished curds are placed on a plate and sprinkled with powdered sugar. You can pour sour cream and decorate with cherries. Adults and kids will be delighted with this dessert.
With the help of dried cherries, you can diversify ordinary and familiar dishes and make them into a delicacy. So simply by adding a handful of cherries to oatmeal, you can make it a real treat for children and adults. Cherry is suitable for the most variety of dishes. And confectioners all over the world use it unique taste. So in Ukraine dumplings with cherries are very popular, the French prefer a pie made from large quantity eggs and cherries. Cherry strudel is very popular among the Germans.
Cherry - amazing berry, which pleases us with its beautiful delicate taste and the incredible aroma of summer. But sometimes you want to enjoy its aroma at other times of the year. How nice it is to feel the taste of summer in a dreary and rainy autumn or snowy winter, saturated with sweetness and cherry aroma that comes from cooked dishes with the addition of dried cherries. A wide variety of desserts with aromatic dried berries are obtained thanks to what is available. These dishes will help you get ready for a new day or pleasantly relax after a hard day.
Enjoy fresh berries In winter, many people do not have the opportunity. But to remember the taste of summer, you can enjoy dried ones. How to properly dry cherries so that they turn out tasty and retain their benefits?
Which cherry is suitable?
For drying, you can use any variety of cherries, but it is advisable to choose sweet ones, since they contain more sugar and, accordingly, they are much tastier and last longer. All berries must be ripe; unripe ones are not suitable.
How to prepare fruit?
Main stages of preparation:
- First, you need to sort through the berries to select only the ripest and most unspoiled. Rotten and wormy fruits cannot be used for drying.
- Now wash all the selected berries in running water.
- Next, you can treat the cherries with a soda solution; this will, firstly, destroy all pathogenic microorganisms, and secondly, prepare the fruits for drying. To carry out this treatment, in a liter hot water Dissolve 5 tablespoons of baking soda and immerse the cherries in the solution for 20-30 seconds.
- Some people advise blanching the fruit before drying, which removes air from the pulp and speeds up the drying process, as well as destroying bacteria. Place a sieve or colander with the cherries in a saucepan of boiling water for a minute.
- Next, you can remove the seeds and cut the berries in half, but it is better not to do this, since whole cherries will be better preserved and will be more tasty.
How to dry?
So, how to properly dry cherries? We offer two methods.
First way
This option is suitable for those who have a private house, cottage, or at least a spacious balcony. Place the fruits on some surface, for example, on a tray. Take it outside. But the place should be sunny, well and constantly lit, not damp and ventilated. In the rain and at night, it is advisable to put the tray home in a dry room. And to protect the cherry from flies, wasps and other insects, you can cover it with gauze.
Second way
If you want to figure out how to quickly dry cherries at home, then this method is suitable for you. The fruits dry quickly in the oven. But it is worth considering that in this case they store much less useful substances than with natural drying.
Main stages:
- Preheat the oven to 50-60 degrees and place a baking sheet with cherries in it, spreading them out in an even layer (it is advisable to leave space between the berries).
- After two hours, turn up the heat to 80 degrees and dry the cherries for about two to three hours.
- Then lower the temperature again to 50-60 degrees and dry the fruits for about two or three more hours. The whole process can take about 8-9 hours.
How can you tell if the cherry is dry?
If the cherries are not completely dried, they may go bad. But how do you know that she is completely ready?
- On click. Just click on the berries. No juice should be released from them.
- Taste. Try one or more cherries. The taste should be pleasant, sweet and sour. The pulp itself should be dense.
- By color. It should turn brown or maroon.
- It is better to store dried cherries in ceramic or glass sealable containers or in bags. In bags, berries can deteriorate and acquire an unpleasant aftertaste.
- Do not remove home-dried cherries immediately. Follow her for two days. If you notice moisture, you should continue drying.
- Dried cherries can be used as an additive to desserts, baked goods, drinks, and yoghurts.
- You can use a special dryer.
- The juicier the cherry, the longer it will take to dry.
Dry fruits properly so that it retains its taste and benefits.
