How to dry oranges at home for decoration, 6 ways
Citrus fruits are not only good for the New Year's table. They can be used to create unprecedented decorations that will fill the room with a special aroma. Many people like lemons, tangerines, oranges, limes. Among all citrus fruits, orange deserves special attention. It is this fragrant fruit that can cheer you up regardless of the season. To get what you want, it is worth knowing how to dry an orange to create a decor.
Basic drying methods
There are several effective methods for obtaining dried oranges. No difficulties are foreseen, and everything can be done independently, if there was time and inclination. At the same time, the result is the same - dried fruits, ready for reuse in various crafts.
At the same time, it is precisely time that is the hallmark of each of the methods. Therefore, it remains to choose the option that suits you the most.
Preliminary preparation
To start, rinse the fruit thoroughly, then pat it dry with a towel. It is important to dry them well after washing, otherwise, instead of drying, the oranges will begin to bake, which is not necessary for the manufacture of a decorative element. Then cut each citrus fruit into slices 3-5 mm thick, not less, but not more.
In order to maintain a bright shade, it is recommended to soak orange rounds in acidic water at the rate of 1 liter per 1 fruit. Soaking time - no more than 20 minutes. Next, remove the seeds from the slices, then soak them with a paper towel to remove any excess juice.
If you want to dry the whole citrus fruit, it is worth making several longitudinal cuts at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other over its entire area. Then, during drying, they need to be deepened.
In the oven
In this case, you can take different routes - fast and slow. To dry fruits in a short time, it is better to use this algorithm:
- Spread parchment paper on a baking sheet (it is usually used for baking dishes). A teflon mat will also do the trick.
- Arrange the slices on the deck so that the rings are not touching.
- Preheat the oven to 150°C. If there is a convection mode (if the stove is modern), it is advisable to turn it on.
- “Bake” the citrus fruits for 15 minutes, then flip the slices and let them rest at the same time.
- Now lower the temperature to 70°C and continue cooking the oranges for another 1 hour.
If the stove is not equipped with a convection system, the door should be left slightly ajar so that the humidity evaporates. The slow method is a bit different:
- Citrus slices are not distributed on the baking sheet, but on the wire rack.
- Set the temperature to 70°C.
- Leave the oranges in the oven until morning.
The next day, the dried citrus fruits are ready for further handling.
In a pan
A quick way to get what you want.To begin with, parchment is laid on the bottom of the pan, on which the rings are laid out. It is better to choose the dishes themselves with a thick bottom for even heating.
Now it remains to choose the minimum heating and monitor the process - most often drain the juice, periodically turn the slices. And so on until the "preparation".
In the microwave
You need a flat, fireproof plate, which will need to be covered with parchment. Then lay out the cuts and send them to the microwave. Several short approaches should be made (10 to 30 seconds). If necessary, the slices should be wiped with a napkin to remove moisture, and the juice should be poured out of the dishes. The method is quick, but requires skill - there is a risk of overexposure of the citrus pieces. Then it is no longer dried cuts, but burnt cuts.
On air
It also takes a while to dry an orange in this way. You need a plate, which is also covered with a piece of parchment paper. Sliced citrus circles are arranged on top.
In this form, the dishes are sent to dry on the balcony. Owners can simply take out the sliced tray. Under these conditions, the drying process will occur naturally. Depending on weather conditions, it may take 1-3 days. In this case, the orange slices will acquire a rich orange tint without brownish impurities.
In an electric dryer
Happy owners of such a device are well aware of its advantages in drying berries or mushrooms. The dryer is preheated to a temperature of 70°C (this is the maximum).Sliced orange slices are stacked on pallets, which must be changed every 1.5 hours. This will ensure even drying.
Over time, the process may take 10-12 hours, but you may have to wait a day - it all depends on the power of the device. It should be noted that after such drying, the circles are deformed. If you need to create perfectly straight edges, this method is definitely not suitable.
On the heating battery
For this method, you need a blank:
- find a sheet of cardboard;
- make frequent holes for air circulation with an awl or a screwdriver.
On the prepared palette, it remains to lay out the orange slices and place everything on the radiator. You won't have to wait very long - an hour or 3, and periodically turn the cups over. Then they can be left on the table to dry completely. This method is relevant in winter seasons when there are no suitable conditions outside.
How to choose the right fruits
Before you start drying citrus fruits, you need to select the desired shade and size. For example, berries are suitable for a postcard. Need to make a panel or a garland? Then you should give preference to large fruits. Small oranges should not be used for a photo or Christmas tree decoration - size matters here.
It is also important that the fruits are bright in color and of medium maturity. Unripe slices, when dried, look unpresentable, and overripe fruit darkens.
Additional Recommendations
You can not only add a touch of originality and style to the room by placing crafts from dried oranges, but also fill the room with a special aroma. For this, sprinkle citrus slices with cinnamon, and this spice is ideal for fruit. It is worth adding it at the end of drying only if a high temperature regime is used. Otherwise, the spice will burn.
Orange slices can look like stained glass. This is accomplished by dusting the sliced orange slices with powdered sugar. During drying, it caramelizes.