Due to the excellent taste and aroma, as well as its incredibly useful properties, cherry firmly occupies one of the leading places among the famous berries.
Very popular among culinary specialists is dried cherries, which after processing process keeps as its taste, and rich in vitamins composition. Read more about how to dry cherries at home.
general information
Dried cherry is special treatment according to the type of drying. However, there are some differences between these two methods of procurement, how to store further:
- drying occurs in the absence (or minimal participation) of heat;
- in the process of drying there is a slow incomplete drying, which allows the berry to maintain its softness and elasticity.
Benefit
When drying cherry retains almost all its nutrients, and they are incredibly rich berry. So, dried berries contain:
- micro and macronutrients - potassium, sodium, cobalt, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper;
- vitamins - PP, C, A, E, B1, B2, B9, folic acid;
- acids;
- pectin;
- Sahara;
- enzymes;
- tannins, nitrogenous substances.
- In addition, when dried, anthocyanins and bioflavonoids are preserved - pigment substances that give a cherry color. These compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties..
- Melatonin is a natural nerve-soothing substance that favors brain neurons.
- lutein, beta-carotene and Zea-xanthine, which are also stored in the cherry after processing, are involved in protecting the body from free radicals, suspend the aging of cells, reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies.
Cherry is used for the prevention of strokes, the formation of cholesterol plaques, blood clots, anemia. Due to the content in the berry of folic acid, it is recommended for women during pregnancy and with heavy menstrual bleeding.
The energy value
100 g of product contains:
- proteins: 1.5 g;
- Fat: 0 g;
- carbohydrates: 73 g
- caloric content: 293 kcal.
Preparation process
For, To fade cherries at home, berries must first prepare:
- bust, eliminate tarnished and rotten cherries;
- rinse cherries with running cold water (you can wash it in a bowl, only in this case, the water must be changed several times);
- to separate the berries from the stem, the bones (using a special mechanism, or you can use a pin or pin);
- put the cleaned cherry in an enamel container and sprinkle with sugar (for 2 kg of pitted cherries 800-1000 g of sugar).
Home ways
Sugar-flavored berry You can use it in several ways, the preparation process for which is the same.
Cherry dried at home, see the photo below.
Method number 1
- After that, how cherry was sprinkled with sugar it must be left for a day at a temperature of 20-25 degrees for the release of liquid.
- The resulting juice should be drained, throwing the cherry into a colander.
- Prepare sugar syrup, taking (at the rate of 2 kg of berries without seeds) 700 ml of water and 600 g of sugar. Put cherry in boiling syrup and boil for 5-7 minutes..
- Once again, boil the cherries on a sieve to eliminate excess liquid.
- Cool at room temperature and place on a flat surface (for example, a baking tray) in one layer, then remove in a dark, dry place.
- After 2-3 days each berry cherry must be turned over and left for another 7-10 days.
Method number 2
In this case, sugar-sprinkled cherries to highlight the juice leave at a temperature of 4-5 degrees for 3 days.
Method number 3
The fastest and most popular way of home curing is curing in the oven. After the traditional preparation of the fruit, instead of a 2-week process in the air, a 3-hour manipulation in the kitchen.
- So, the product boiled in syrup should be laid out on a baking tray in one layer and placed in a gas (or electric) oven heated to 80 degrees for 30-32 minutes.
- After the cherry has cooled, it must be gently turned over and placed back for another 30 minutes.
- Further similar manipulations are carried out 1-2 more times, but already at a temperature of 65-70 degrees.
Do not exceed the temperature and time, because the cherry can get very dry.
Modern housewives use for drying and such a devicelike an electric dryer. The process, as in the case of the oven, takes relatively little time, with one difference in the positive direction: there is no need to reach, cool and turn the berries.
The device does everything himself. Putting cherry into electric driers and choosing the optimum temperature (for each model has its own conditions, so it’s better to refer to the instructions of the device), after 10-12 hours you can taste the great taste of the product.
Recipes
The taste of dried cherries is very good in itself, but it can be improved. For example, Cinnamon lovers will appreciate the next cooking option.:
- pitted cherries - 1000 g;
- sugar - 450 g;
- 1 orange juice;
- cinnamon - 2 tsp.
The method of preparation and direct drying does not differ from the standard process. However, at the stage of pouring sugar into the berries, the last add ground cinnamon and sprinkle cherries with orange juice. After all the stages of drying, cherry gets spicy cinnamon flavor.
Storage method
Storage of the finished product is made in a tightly closed glass container. in a dark room with a relative humidity of 60-70%, the temperature should not exceed 12-18 degrees.
It is also possible to preserve berries for a long time (more than 1 year)by placing them in a paper bag and then in a polyethylene bag.
Read also materials about freezing, drying and storing cherries.
Conclusion
So, in order to provide yourself with natural vitamins and minerals for the whole year, you just need to spend some time and effort on the preparation of dried cherries.
Yes, the process is not quick and rather troublesome, but the forces invested will pay back with interest.
Useful video!
