How to store dried apricots at home
Many people wonder how best to store dried apricots at home. You can do this at room temperature or use the fridge. Some people freeze this product. To achieve good results when storing apricots, it is necessary to properly prepare the product, choose a container and process it. Protection against insect pests is also important.
Storage features of dried apricots
There are several options for drying apricots. The fruits can be cut, used whole or pitted. To obtain dried apricots, the fruits must be cut into halves or quarters.This product brings great benefits to the body. This is due to the presence of beta-carotene, vitamins, organic acids in the composition. Dried fruits also contain glucose and fructose. Dried fruits contain a lot of potassium, phosphorus, iron. Central Asian varieties are sun-dried.
To prepare apricots, the fruits are dried together with seeds.Thanks to this, it is possible to normalize digestive processes, reduce pressure parameters and improve the functioning of the organ of vision. Kaisa is also considered a useful option. This harvest is made from whole fruits, which are dried in the fresh air. The berries have a whole skin when the seed is extracted.
It is allowed to store ready-made dried apricots in the refrigerator. Dried fruits can be stored in the fridge for 6 months. You can keep dried apricots in the apartment or in the country.
Optimal storage conditions
In order to successfully preserve fruits, they should be provided with an optimal temperature regime. Humidity and lighting indicators are not insignificant.
Temperature
Dried apricots can be stored in the freezer or refrigerator. In order for the room to retain its freshness longer, it should be placed in a closed cabinet. It can be on the balcony or in the closet. At the same time, it is forbidden to keep dried fruit near the stove, radiator, bathtub, sink. Sun-dried fruits are well kept in the attic.
In this case, it is important to take into account the temperature regime. It should be + 15-20 degrees. If this recommendation is violated, pests will begin to actively multiply in dried fruits.
Humidity
Humidity indicators are not negligible. They should be at 65%.
Lighting
It is recommended to store dried apricots and dried apricots in a dark place. However, it is forbidden to mix them with other fruits. Otherwise, there is a risk of loss of taste.
How to choose the right container
For good fruit preservation, it is important to choose the right container.Do not store dried fruits in linen bags. They allow moisture to pass easily. As a result, the product will begin to deteriorate rapidly. It is not recommended to store supplies in metal containers. This will cause oxidation and loss of flavor. A plastic bag is also a bad option. Under such conditions, mold will quickly grow on the apricots, which will damage the fruit.
It should also be borne in mind that pests can easily chew through the bag, as they are attracted to the sweet smell of dried fruits.
Packages can only be used when storing dried apricots in the freezer.
It is best to store fruit in a glass container with an airtight lid. In such dishes, dried fruits perfectly retain their taste and aroma. In addition, it avoids the attacks of molds and parasites. For short-term storage, a wooden or cardboard box would be a great option. It is also allowed to use ceramic dishes.
Treatment before long-term storage
The easiest and most affordable way to prepare dried apricots is to hang the peeled fruit on a rope. It is recommended to place them in a place with excellent air circulation. Before drying, apricots should be placed in water with lemon juice. To do this, take 1 small spoonful of juice per 1 liter of water. Thanks to this simple procedure, the apricots will not darken. Pre-selected and processed fruits must be pitted. If desired, it is allowed to cut them into pieces.
When choosing a natural drying method, lay the apricots on a flat surface.However, they should be kept in a cool place with good air circulation. The whole process takes several days. The fruits should be spread out in a thin layer. It is important that they touch each other. Then they need to be taken out in the sun for 7 days and dried. It is recommended to eat ready-made apricots within six months.
If you plan to use an oven, do the following:
- put a natural cloth on the grid and put the apricots in a thin layer;
- heat the oven to +50 degrees, gradually increasing the temperature regime to +70 degrees;
- turn the fruit from time to time - this will help to achieve even drying;
- after an hour, put the dried apricots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and continue to dry.
To obtain a harvest, apricots must be dried for 10-12 hours. The process can be finished when the fruit becomes elastic. When squeezed, no juice should come out. To keep the freshness of dried fruits for a long time, they can be placed in gauze bags and hung in a cool, well-ventilated place. It must have a minimum humidity level. The temperature regime should not exceed +10 degrees.
If such conditions are not possible, apricots should be stored in paper bags or glass jars.
From time to time, the containers should be opened to air the dried fruits.
Choosing the storage space in the apartment
To store dried apricots for a long time, it is worth choosing the right place in the apartment.
Pantry
This is a good option because dried fruits stay fresh for a long time in a dark, dry room. The advantage of this method is the availability of sufficient space. At the same time, for apricots, you need to choose the right container and periodically assess the condition of the room.
Fridge
It is a simple and reliable storage option. Dried fruits that have been dried in the sun and in the shade are allowed to be stored in the refrigerator. First, place the piece in a container, then put it in the refrigerator. It is recommended to periodically assess the presence of condensation. If it accumulates, the product may deteriorate.
If several fruits have spoiled, it is recommended to discard the entire contents of the container. This is due to the subsequent spoilage of the rest of the fruit. The disadvantage of this method of preservation is the accumulation of odors that can be absorbed by the dried apricots.
Freezer
This method makes it possible to preserve the freshness of dried apricots for a long time. However, it also has some drawbacks. With prolonged freezing, there is a risk of losing a large number of useful elements. It is not recommended to freeze and thaw apricots several times. This method is more suitable for dried dried apricots. It should not be used for dried fruits.
Kitchen cupboard
Well-dried fruit can be stored in the kitchen cupboard. In this case, the fruit should be kept away from the stove, shell and other places with high temperature and humidity. Usually, storage in a kitchen cupboard is possible for a short time. In this case, the fruits should not remain open. It is recommended to place them in an airtight container.
Possible drying problems
When drying apricots, they can be attacked by insects - flies and ants. To avoid this, it is recommended to cover the fruits with gauze.Also, the problems include a violation of temperature and humidity. Under such conditions, the fruit may not dry properly and may even deteriorate.
Common Mistakes
When drying dried apricots, many people make common mistakes:
- the fruits are not completely dried;
- stored in a room with low or high humidity;
- stored at too high a temperature;
- stored in an unsealed container.
Additional tips and tricks
To protect fruits from pests, you should follow these recommendations:
- Store apricots in an airtight container.
- It is best to use plastic or glass utensils. Moles can damage any package.
- Arrange the dried fruits with orange zest or sprigs of lavender.
Dried apricots are considered a healthy and tasty product that is popular with many people. For successful storage, it is recommended to choose the right container and to respect the temperature and humidity parameters.