How to properly store prunes at home, the best ways and possible problems

Prunes contain a huge amount of vitamins and minerals that the body needs, especially in winter. It is thanks to this product that it is possible to maintain normal immunity, activate the digestive process. Moreover, there are quite a few lovers of such a tasty and healthy delicacy as dried fruits in the world. When buying prunes, it is important to know how to store it correctly so that the vitamins and minerals are retained as long as possible and the taste does not deteriorate.

Storage features of dried fruits

To create the most optimal conditions for storing dried fruits, it is necessary to adhere to some recommendations of specialists:

1. It is better to store the delicacy in a dry room, where the air temperature does not exceed 10 degrees and the humidity is about 70%.
2. Before placing prunes for storage, they should be sorted, sort out spoiled and damaged specimens.
3. Each type of dried fruit has a different amount of moisture in the composition, so their joint storage is unacceptable.
4. Any tightly closed container is suitable for storage.Most often, glass and ceramic jars, wooden boxes, cotton and paper bags are used for these purposes.
5. Every housewife has no uncertainty about the dryness of any fruits, and in order not to be afraid for the safety of the product, you need to add a little dry mint or ordinary salt to them.
6. If you do not need a large amount of dried fruit, you should limit yourself to small portions and buy fresh products more often.

Advice! Before sending storage containers with dried fruits, you must sign indicating the date and number.

What prunes can be stored

Before storage, dried fruits should be carefully examined and sorted, separating all unsuitable ones. Preference should be given to medium-sized specimens that are dry and not brittle. If the fruit is not dry and fleshy enough, it should be eaten immediately.

When buying dried fruits, you should pay attention to the expiration date. If no production date is specified, the product should be used within 5-8 months.

Home Storage Methods

The shelf life of prunes depends on how they are stored. The main thing is to observe certain indicators of humidity, temperature and make sure that there is no direct light. Among the main methods of storage, the following should be highlighted.

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In a hermetically sealed container

The material of the container is practically irrelevant, since the aroma of prunes is so rich and pronounced that it is not afraid of any foreign smells when stored in room conditions.But other products can easily absorb the aroma of prunes, so prunes should not be left with buckwheat or baked goods for a long time.

Airtight packaging of dried fruits. A glass jar with an airtight lid, a metal container, or a ceramic container with a silicone stopper is perfect for this. In this state, it can be placed anywhere in the apartment where there is no direct light.

Important! It is not recommended to leave the product near household chemicals, over time the fruit will absorb the synthetic smell of washing powder or dishwashing detergent and lose its magical and seductive aroma.

In cloth bags

Cloth bags and other less durable materials can only be used if the prunes are placed on an individual shelf. This method has a huge advantage in the context of storage in sealed packages, as it allows dried fruits to receive a sufficient amount of fresh air. To prevent insects from entering the product, you can soak a cloth bag using a concentrated saline solution. After that, squeeze a little and dry the material thoroughly.

In wooden boxes

Many prunes are difficult to store in countless containers and cloth bags, so wooden crates are the best option. After sorting and placing the fruits in the container, cover them with a thick cloth and place them in a dry, dark place where frequent and strong temperature changes are not observed.

Periodically, prunes should be inspected. It is recommended to store the product in such conditions for 8-12 months. Do not leave boxes next to pickles and other canned goods for the winter, as well as dried herbs, since prunes can easily absorb their smell.To keep the delicacy longer, you need to pre-dry it in the oven at 45 degrees for no more than half an hour.

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In the fridge

It can be difficult to find the ideal conditions for storing prunes at home due to possible sudden changes in temperature and humidity; in this situation, it is recommended to think about how to store the products in the refrigerator. To do this, place the dried plums in the chosen container and place them in the section intended for fruits and vegetables, while it is better not to completely close the dishes and bags so that air can enter.

The produce should be checked once a week for spoiled fruit and condensation in the storage container.

Freezing prunes is allowed, but on condition that it is used for the manufacture of meat dishes, sweet desserts, vitamin drinks, where it undergoes heat treatment. Thus, the loss of its taste and valuable elements is not very noticeable.

In a bag with a special closure

The danger of a bag with a special closure is that if you close it loosely, condensation will appear on the walls and the product will quickly mold. Therefore, you need to regularly air and get rid of spoiled fruits. Wet fruits should be dried again and only then returned to the bag.

plastic containers

In plastic and glass containers, prunes retain their medicinal properties several times longer. The main thing is to dry the fruits, make sure that there are no wet specimens among them, and then send them only to the container, closing it tightly.Fleshy, moist fruits should be eaten as soon as possible, as they are unstable and can spoil any dried plums.

How to Store Dried Plums Properly

In the process of storing dried dried plums, housewives have to make a lot of effort. There are several ways to store a medicine:

1. It is recommended to store dried plums in a dry, sealed container, protecting them from direct sunlight and excess moisture.
2. Dried fruits with a lot of spices should be poured with olive oil marinade, rolled up and sent for long-term storage.
3. Sweet fruits can be folded into plastic bowls, sprinkled with sugar, powder or starch-based sweetener and placed in the refrigerator.

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It is not recommended to completely fill the container, since in such conditions the prunes will not last long due to excess moisture. Therefore, the fruits should be laid out in small portions.

Possible problems

Sometimes the surface of prunes is covered with an uneven white bloom - this is a clear sign of improper storage. Mold often appears on underdried fruits that are in a tightly sealed container and have no access to oxygen for a long time. Such a product is extremely dangerous for the body, so it should be discarded as soon as possible.

To avoid such situations, in addition to observing storage conditions, you need to treat the container with boiling water, and it is better to sterilize it with hot steam. A faster and safer way to treat the container is to wipe the walls with medical alcohol using a cloth rag.Many people freeze prunes, and this is a big mistake because dried plums can be stored for a year anyway. Too low temperatures can negatively affect the quality of the product and destroy most of the useful properties.

In order not to have problems with the storage of dried fruits, you need to buy them in small portions. After purchase, do not leave the fruit in a plastic bag, otherwise it will deteriorate quickly. It is necessary to create the necessary conditions for the storage of prunes as soon as possible, ensuring their quality for a long time.