How to Dry Apricots at Home

Dried apricots (or, as it is otherwise called, apricots) are the most nutritious among counterparts. Valued such a product due to its useful qualities, which remain even after the drying process.

In the past, getting apricots from apricots was a long process. At first the fruit was sorted, cut and cleaned of seeds. After that, the fruits were dried on the heat. They were always covered with cloth to protect them from insects.

Nowadays, such dried fruits are produced by a special technology using chemicals. So that the dried fruit acquired a bright orange color, the solution for soaking includes such a compound as sulfur dioxide.

To obtain safe, maximally useful apricots should be made at home. For this purpose, you can use an oven, special electric dryers and other devices. To create 150 g of dried apricots you will need 500 g of raw materials.

apricots are used to decorate desserts. It is also added to breakfasts as a snack. On the basis of such apricots are prepared compotes, morsels. And in this case it is not at all necessary to add sugar. But in order to enjoy all the properties of dried apricots, it should be cooked in compliance with all the requirements.

Composition and calories of dried apricots

Most of the dried apricots consist of liquid. So, per 100 grams of dried fruit there is about 70 grams of water. In addition, it contains a lot of carbohydrates.

During drying, apricots lose some of the useful elements. Mainly these are vitamins. But at the same time, the most persistent of them remain in the product and benefit the human body. Among such strong substances can be distinguished vitamin A, group B, namely pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamin. Also, apricot contains ascorbic acid, niacin.

The value of dried apricots is due to the presence of macro- and micronutrients. Dried fruits are rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese and phosphorus. They are found in a large number of acids of organic origin. There are 12 amino acids in apricots, of which 7 are essential.

It should also be noted that about 80 percent of all apricots consist of fructose, sucrose and glucose. Despite this, the caloric value of dried apricots is considered low. In 100 grams of fruit there are about 240 kcal. To provide the body with the necessary substances, it is enough to consume 5 pieces per day.

How to choose apricots for drying

To obtain apricots, it is necessary to choose apricots, culturally grown. Wild varieties for these purposes are not suitable. It is necessary to select sweet, ripe, but not watery copies. The fruit will be treated with boiling water, so it will lose most of its liquid. You should also take into account that the fruit should be of the later varieties.

Now you need to sort the fruit, get rid of wormy, crumpled and rotten fruit. Overripe apricots are also not recommended for such manipulations.

It is necessary to feel the fruit. They must not be very soft. A fruit that has a bright orange color is best for this purpose.

How to prepare the fruits for drying

After the selection, you can proceed to the washing of the fruit mass.

1. Rinse the fruit with cool water to remove the film.
2. Peel the selected apricots from the pit and divide them into two parts. It is important to get rid of the wormy fruit. Otherwise, during the drying process maggots can revive. Wash the cut in half product should not be washed.
3. To make the apricots get a light color in the end, it is recommended to place the raw material in a colander and hold it for 15-20 minutes over steam. This option is valid for any method of drying, whether it is the oven, electric dryer or the sun.
4. You can also use another method. To do this, prepare a syrup of 200 grams of sugar and a cup of water. Immerse the prepared fruit in the resulting solution for a few minutes.
5. After that, spread the apricots on a flat surface and leave for some time to drain off the liquid.

How to dry apricots for apricots

Dried apricots are a treasure trove of vitamins, especially in winter. Depending on how exactly the raw material is prepared and dried, there are several varieties of such a delicacy.

If the apricot is cut in two parts, then the pit is removed, after which the fruit is dried, the result is apricot. If the fruit is washed and then dried together with the bone, it is apricot. It is also possible to clean the whole fruit from the seed with a special device and send it to dry in the sun. Such blanks are called "kaysa".

For your information. Dried fruits are widely used in cooking, medicine, included in various diets.

However, in order for the product to delight in its taste and appearance, as well as saturate the body with useful substances, you need to know how to dry apricots correctly.

In the oven

1. Start the process of cooking a tasty and useful treat should begin with careful preparation. First, sort out the fruits, rinse them and cut them into even pieces. It is important to take into account that apricots should be rinsed in advance. It is not recommended to do this before the direct drying. Otherwise, the moisture in this case will not evaporate completely.
2. Carefully separate the pips, so as not to damage the apricot flesh. Otherwise, the finished apricots will have an unattractive appearance.
3. Place the raw material in a colander and soak for a quarter of an hour over steam. Then put it on a cotton cloth and leave it for about an hour. At this time you can prepare the molds. Line the tray with parchment paper.
4. Now place the halves of fruit slices upwards. The oven must be preheated to 60 degrees. Then put the tray with the pieces in the oven for 8-9 hours.
5. Every 60-90 minutes open the door of the device to get rid of excess moisture. For convenience, you can install a small wooden bar in the opening of the oven, which will fix the door.
6. From time to time, take out the form with fruits to check the readiness of the delicacy.

The workpieces should not be overdried. Qualitatively cooked apricots should have a rich color and density.

In an electric dryer

With a special dryer, it is important to follow the recommendations of the specific manufacturer of the device.

1. Prepared in advance, lay the fruits on the grid of the dryer with the cuts upwards.
2. It is important not to let the fruits touch each other, as they may stick together during the drying process. Place the rack inside the appliance. Then set the temperature to 45 degrees for two hours.
3. After the specified time on the device, increase the temperature by 10 degrees, and then continue drying for another 6 hours. Next, set the dryer back to 45 degrees and continue for another hour and a half.
4. After all the procedures, open the device and put the dried fruit on a cotton towel. When the apricots cool, they can be transferred to a wooden box or cloth bag with good ventilation.

In the microwave

The process of cooking apricot apricots with a microwave oven is quite simple, you only need to pay attention to the fruit, because too quickly the halves of fresh fruit can turn into burnt pieces. Microwaves of such a device provide very fast drying of any fruit.

As for the apricot, for this kind of raw material it is recommended to set the power of the device not higher than 300 watts. In this case, this process will take no more than two minutes. After this you can check the product for readiness. If the fruit is not completely dried, you need to increase the drying time for another 30 seconds. If necessary, this time can be increased little by little.

In the sun

This method of obtaining apricots is considered the most natural, as apricots are dried in natural conditions under sunlight.

1. It is necessary to prepare the fruit by washing and slicing them. As in other cases, repeat the procedure associated with soaking the apricots over steam.
2. Now, line wooden trays with parchment paper and loosely distribute the pieces "pops" down on them.
3. First, dried fruit in the shade for 3-4 hours. Only after that you can put them under the scorching sun until the desired degree of drying. After sunset, take the dried fruit into the room and cover it with gauze. This is necessary so that the product will not be damaged by insects.

Drying apricots by this technology usually takes about ten days, so you need to be patient. After the next drying day is completed, it is recommended to put the legs of the tray or tray, on which the fruit slices are laid out, in containers of water. This will protect the produce from ants.

You can also use a combined method. In this case, first the raw material should be kept under the sun for four hours, then heat the oven to 65 degrees and send there apricots for 60 minutes. After the specified period, you should take out the blanks and place them in the shade until the full completion of the drying process.

How properly dried apricots should look like

The degree of readiness of dried fruit can be determined by several criteria:

1. First of all, you need to feel the dried apricots. If the drying was carried out in compliance with all the requirements, apricots turn out wrinkled, but at the same time elastic. All apricots should be pleasant to the touch and a little heavier than completely dried apricots, because there should still be some liquid in them.
2. Also, to check the readiness of apricots, it is recommended to put the dried apricots in boiling water. If it swells, it means that the fruit is properly cooked. It is in them that a lot of vitamins and mineral elements are preserved.
3. During drying at home, usually no chemicals are used. As a result, the dried fruit acquires a light yellow, brown or pale orange color.
4. The pronounced hue of apricots indicates that chemical compositions were used in the drying process.

How to store dried apricots correctly

To begin with, it is necessary to figure out what is the best way to store apricots.

1. In this case, you can use bags of cotton cloth. This is the most common way compared to the others. All that is needed is to place dried apricots in them and hang the bags on cloves in a room with optimal humidity levels and protected from sunlight.
2. You can also use plastic bags for this purpose. This method is more practical. Dried fruits just need to be poured into a bag and placed in a cool place. From time to time you should open it and air out the contents.
3. You can store apricots in a cardboard container. In this case, the box should be lined with paper, and then on it lay out in one row of dried apricots.
4. To store such a preparation, you can use a refrigerator shelf. In addition, it is possible to find it in the freezer. With the right packaging, dried fruit can last in the freezer for up to 1.5 years. If necessary, you can safely defrost part of the product and use it for its intended purpose.

The optimal storage temperature for dried apricots is no more than +15 degrees. The humidity in the room should be about 70 percent.

The shelf life of dried fruit depends on the conditions available and the packaging used. If the temperature requirements and the material of the container are observed, apricots are stored for one month on the shelf, for six months in a dark and cool place. When the product is in the refrigerator the shelf life of the delicacy is 10 months. If the delicacy is placed in the freezer, it is fit to eat for up to 18 months.

When storing apricots outside the freezer, it is recommended to check dried fruit every month for the presence of mold and insect damage. If at least one spoiled specimen has been found, you have to throw it all away, because mold spores are already present on the rest of the fruit, even if they are not visible at first. If, however, bugs have appeared in a container with dried apricots, it is still possible to save part of the production by getting rid of damaged fruits only. The remaining quantity of apricots should be sent for a day in the freezer, and after that pour boiling water over them. After an hour, all the pieces of apricots should be thoroughly washed. It is better to use them in a short time and do not send them for a long repeated storage.

Useful tips

1. It is not recommended to store different types of dried fruit in the same container. Each variety has a different moisture and smell. For example, if there are prunes among them, all candied fruits will smell like them.
2. In some sources you can find the advice that you should not buy in the store a large number of dried apricots at once, and replenish your stock only as needed. Such a recommendation is highly questionable. After all, in the supermarket hardly anyone cares about compliance with all the requirements regarding the storage of dried apricots. Moreover, it is unknown in what conditions such products were in before reaching the store. Therefore, if you can find excellent dried fruits, you should buy in large quantities. After all, at home there will only be the assurance that the stock is stored in the proper conditions.
3. If insects have appeared, instead of boiling water, you can use the oven. In this case, the products should be poured on a baking tray and sent for 40-45 minutes in a device heated to 75 degrees.
4. Despite all efforts, apricots may become softer. This indicates that the apricots have been exposed to high humidity. To protect the fruit, you can dry it in the oven. This is also where you should put the glass jars in which you store the supplies.

What are the benefits of dried apricots

1. It was mentioned earlier that apricots are enriched with a number of useful substances, including vitamins C, PP, A, as well as minerals such as potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and others.
2. Experts recommend to use dried apricots for the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases. Often such dried fruits are prescribed for limb numbness.
3. In addition, this delicacy is able to draw out heavy metals from the internal organs, which usually settle on the walls of the intestines and stomach. Due to the large amount of pectins and acids of organic nature from the human body can be removed radionuclides.
4. Regular use of apricots protects against clogging of blood vessels. A favorable effect of the product on the work of the whole body and the heart is noted.
5. For tightening the skin, improving blood circulation and smoothing fine wrinkles, you should eat about 90 g of dried apricots daily. At the same time, it can be consumed as a separate product, as well as in a variety of dishes.
6. Dried apricots have diuretic properties. In this regard, this delicacy is used to prepare a decoction, which is prescribed to people with kidney pathologies. Such a solution is able to remove sand and small stones from the organ, as well as to protect against their deposition in the future.
7. Moreover, this treat can be included in the diet of a person suffering from obesity. Often this ingredient is consumed when following various diets, despite the presence of sugars and the degree of caloric content. In this case, the daily norm is no more than 25 g. Consumption of apricots promotes the removal of toxins and "bad" cholesterol.
8. Partially dried apricots thin the blood. This suggests that this fruit is a prophylactic for the formation of blood clots. It is useful to include it in the menu of those who have varicose veins. This delicacy contains pectin, which ensures the elimination of breakdown products from the body, and dietary fiber restores metabolic processes.
9. To regulate digestion, it is necessary to eat several fruits a day. It should be noted that dried products contain almost ten times more fiber compared to fresh apricots. It is this component that also regulates the functioning of the endocrine system and the CSS.
10. Many vitamins are found in apricots, which help to strengthen the body's defenses in case of avitaminosis. Dried fruits are recommended to eat for children and adults to protect themselves from parasites.
11. Dried apricots help to reduce body temperature, are effective in the period after a serious illness or surgery. It is also noted that apricots eliminate headaches and cope with the symptoms of colds and flu.
12. Carotenoids in the fruit dessert have a beneficial effect on human vision, namely they reduce the likelihood of cataracts and strengthen the muscles of the eyeball. This property of apricots is especially appreciated by patients with vision problems.
13. Dried fruits increase physical endurance, which allows them to be used in the diet of athletes. In addition, they stimulate the rapid accumulation of muscle mass, improve mood and raise morale.
14. It is recommended to consume dried apricots at high mental stress.
15. Decoctions based on dried apricots can be taken in case of edema. This property of the product is appreciated by pregnant women, who often face such problems.
16. If you consume no more than 10 g of apricots per day for hypertension, you can achieve a decrease in the values of blood pressure.

What you can make from dried apricots

apricots can be used to make a variety of desserts, healthy drinks, it is included in the menu when dieting.

Candies

Sweet eaters will probably like candy from dried apricots. To make such a delicacy, you will need 100 g of chocolate, 70 g each of dried apricots, walnuts and peanuts, as well as 1 tbsp of sesame seeds.

The nuts and apricots should be chopped to crumbs, the size depending on personal taste preferences.

Next, melt the chocolate in the microwave oven. On average, at maximum power, this takes no more than 1 minute and 30 seconds.

Now pour the chopped nuts and dried fruit into the chocolate mass and stir it. When the mixture has hardened a little, form it into balls, and then roll them in sesame seeds. Then send them to the fridge for 20 minutes. At the end of this time, you can enjoy a delicious and healthy sweetness.

Jam

You can make jam from apricots. You will need 200 g of dried apricots, 100 g of raisins, 150 g of walnuts, 150 ml of water and sugar to taste.

Pre-soak dried apricots with raisins in water for half an hour. Then put them together with walnuts in a blender for grinding. This should also be guided by individual preferences: someone likes when you get a homogeneous mass, someone else prefers jam with small pieces of ingredients.

Prepared mixture to transfer to a saucepan with a thick bottom, here add water. If you intend to use sugar, also introduce it at this stage. After that, send the pot with the preparation to the stove and cook for no more than 10 minutes, until all the water evaporates and the candied fruits become softer.

Transfer the finished jam to a jar and close with a lid. You can store it in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Baking

The apricots can be included in a variety of baked goods. So, to prepare a shortbread cake with dried apricots, you need to prepare 200 g of butter, 200 g of dried fruit, 1 cup of sour cream, 400 g of flour, 1.5 tsp of baking powder, 200 g of sugar, a pinch of salt and vanillin to taste.

First you need to soak the dried fruit. Next, grate the cold butter, add the flour and salt and baking powder. All ingredients must be grinded into a crumb.

After that, add sour cream and then knead the dough. Wrap it in clingfilm and leave in the fridge for half an hour.

At this time, you can prepare the filling. To do this, in a blender, mix dried apricots and 100 grams of sugar. After forming a homogeneous mass, add the remaining amount of sweetener. The filling should turn out sweet.

Next, divide the dough into two unequal pieces. From the larger piece, you need to roll out a circle. Now cover a baking tray with parchment paper, put the rolled out dough into it, form sides. After that, lay out the filling. Then thinly roll out the second piece and transfer it to the filling. You can make strips or notches.

Send the preparation to the oven for 40 minutes at 180 degrees. If desired, the finished dessert can be sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Rice

The apricots are also suitable for making sweet rice. For this you should prepare 1 cup of rice, 2 cups of water, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tbsp. sugar, 1 tbsp. melted butter, 3 tbsp. raisins, 6 tbsp. dried apricots and spices to taste.

First wash the rice and candied fruits. Put the grits in a saucepan and pour boiling water over them. Add all other ingredients, except dried fruit. Bring the mass to boil and simmer on low heat for about a third of an hour. Then turn off fire and leave for 15 minutes.

Ready rice put on plates. Sprinkle each portion with diced raisins and apricots.

Muffins

There is also a recipe for making cottage cheese muffins with apricots. In this case the following ingredients will be needed: 200 g of cottage cheese, the same amount of flour and sugar, 150 g of butter, 3 eggs, 2 tbsp of sour cream, 1 tsp of vanilla and 1 tsp of baking powder. For the filling, prepare 200g of dried apricots, and for the filling you need only 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of water.

To prepare the dough, you need to melt the butter, knead the cottage cheese and beat the eggs with sugar and vanilla until a white mass is formed. Add the sifted flour to the egg mixture. Here, also include the melted butter and cottage cheese and sour cream. Also add the baking powder. The dough is thick, but not steep.

To obtain the filling, wash the soaked apricots, steep them in boiling water, then cut into small pieces and mix with the dough.

In a greased form put the dough. The tray should be placed in an oven heated to 180 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

Brush the finished muffin with a solution of warm boiling water and sugar.

How to dry apricot kernels

First you should free the kernels from the hard shell. Then you only need to dry them for some time in the oven at a low temperature. You can also just fry them in a pan, periodically checking them for readiness.

You need to remember that you can not eat more than 40 kernels at one time, as they contain a poisonous substance.