Humans have been drying food for thousands of years.Special dehydrators and ovens are some of the ways to dehydrate fruit.Sun drying is one of the most basic methods of drying fruit.Solar drying is a slightly more complex method.Pre-treating dry fruit with ascorbic acid and water is required to air it.The fruit is placed on a drying rack and air dried.
Step 1: Put the fruit in a container and wash it.
If applicable, core or remove pits.
Step 2: The fruit needs to be cut thinly.
All the pieces will dry in the same amount of time if you keep slices equally sized.Cut apples into rings or slices that are about the same width.Cut bananas into pieces about 1/6 inch wide.You can slice the apricots or cut them in half.Cut the fruit into slices or quarters.Cut pineapple into pieces that are 1/2 inch wide.
Step 3: Ascorbic acid should be used to treat the fruit.
You don't have to treat pineapple.You can buy ascorbic acid powder at health food stores or at canning supplies stores.Ascorbic acid is blended with 2 cups of water.The mixture can be used twice before you need to add more ascorbic acid.The fruit pieces should be soaked for 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 4: You can check the weather forecast for a hot, dry spell.
You have to have several days with at least 86 degrees.The Humidity should be less than 60 percent.
Step 5: The drying rack needs a screen or wood tray.
Choose from plastic, fiberglass, or Teflon coated screens.It is safe to use these types for fruit.There are screens that can leave harmful deposits on food.Don't use screens made with aluminum, copper, or metal cloth.Wood trays should not be made with cedar, green wood, oak, pine, or redwood.The fruit will be affected by these.
Step 6: If you want to keep an eye on the fruit, choose a drying site with full sun.
The metal is on the ground.The drying temperature can be raised with the help of aluminum or tin.If metal sheeting is unavailable, choose a concrete surface.A patio with no roof or a paved driveway is sufficient.The fruit will dry quicker on a concrete surface.
Step 7: There are 2 stacks of cinder blocks or bricks.
Step 8: The drying rack should be on the blocks or bricks.
The air will be able to circulate around the fruit.
Step 9: Put fruit on the drying rack if you want to prevent it from sticking.
The fruit should be arranged in 1 layer.They don't want to touch the space between the pieces.
Step 10: The fruit needs to be covered with a layer of cheesecloth.
There are bugs, birds, and debris.
Step 11: The fruit should be turned after they have dried for a while.
While it's drying in the sun, you will turn the fruit every 2 hours.
Step 12: The fruit can be dried indoors at night.
You don't want your fruit in the cool air after the sun goes down.
Step 13: The fruit can be air dried for 2 to 6 days.
Step 14: Check the fruit to make sure it's not too dry.
Cut the fruit pieces in half.You shouldn't be able to squeeze out any moisture.Put the fruit down.It should not be sticky.
Step 15: You can Pasteurize the fruit in your freezer.
It's important to kill anybacteria that might make you want to eat the fruit.The dried fruit should be placed in a freezer bag.Make sure the freezer temperature is below zero.The bag should be kept in the freezer for 48 hours.
Step 16: After the pasteurization, transfer the fruit to a container.
There are glass containers with tight lids.The containers should be kept somewhere cool, dim, and dry.It will keep for up to a year at 60 degrees.