Useful properties and contraindications of dried hawthorn
You can make jam and compote from hawthorn, but most often it is dried for the winter, this way vitamins and nutrients are better preserved.
Boyarka can be consumed with cereals, ice cream, as an additive to other fruits.
Beneficial properties of dried hawthorn:
- In addition to vitamins and various microelements, it contains Omega-3 - a source of beauty.
- Helps cope with problems of the cardiovascular system and intestines.
- Herbal tea lowers blood pressure.
Rules for preparing for the winter
Preparing a plant for the winter will not be difficult, but you need to remember that flowers and fruits grown far away are suitable for collecting:
- from roads and railways;
- from industrial enterprises;
- from landfills.
Drying flowers
Hawthorn blooms in spring, in May. The flowering period is short, so it is important not to miss the right time to collect. It is not recommended to collect in rainy weather or in the morning when dew has fallen. Flowers must be dry, free from mold and insect damage. Inflorescences must be picked carefully or cut off from the stalks.
When is hawthorn harvested for drying?
Boyarki ripen in mid-September. At this time, their collection begins.
Attention! The fruits of hawthorn growing along roads cannot be collected, as they accumulate heavy metals and toxic substances.
Rules for collecting boyarka for drying:
- Only ripe berries of bright red or, as people say, bloody color are suitable for further processing.
- You should not wait for frost, as these fruits are too soft and not suitable for drying.
- It is also impossible to pick overripe berries because moldy fungi begin to develop on the surface.
- You need to collect boyarka for subsequent drying during the day, in dry weather.
- Cut in clusters, not individually. Place in the container carefully so as not to damage the integrity.
What time to harvest hawthorn and do you need to wash it?
The most suitable period for collecting hawthorn is when it ripens, because it is at this time that it begins to absorb a lot of vitamins. Ripening begins around the end of September. But it is necessary to collect before the first frost, otherwise the damaged fruit will not be suitable for further storage. A fully ripe berry appears bright red.
At the time of harvesting hawthorn, the weather should be dry. There is no need to wash the fruits before drying; just wipe them with a clean and soft cloth, sort them out and sift them through a colander.
How to dry hawthorn correctly
Drying hawthorn at home is not particularly difficult. Previously, the fruits were laid out in the open air and dried naturally. Modern housewives can use various household appliances:
- electric oven and gas stove oven;
- microwave and air fryer;
- electric dryer.
But before you start drying, the boyarka needs to be specially prepared:
- After picking the berries, the petioles and sepals (scutellum) are removed from the bunches.
- Then the raw materials are sorted. Leaves, branches, green or damaged fruits should be thrown away to avoid spoiling the dried product.
- Large berries are placed separately from small ones, since they will dry at different times.
- If you need seedless raw materials, they should be removed.
Do I need to wash hawthorn before drying?
Housewives who are drying boyarka for the first time are interested in whether the raw materials are washed before the procedure. It is important to understand that dirt should not remain on the fruit. You can put the raw materials in a colander and place them under running water or pour a large amount of warm water into a basin.
Attention! You cannot keep the berries in water for a long time, otherwise they will become soggy!
Remove the berries from the bowl into a colander and let the water drain. Then spread them in 1 layer on a dry towel, cover with a second one on top so that the berries dry better. Drying begins when there is no moisture left on the fruits. The fact is that raw berries not only take a long time to dry, they can also ferment.
Where can I dry it?
The question is of course correct, but if you answer it that in the sun, then you will be infinitely wrong. In fact, hawthorn is a berry that should never be exposed to ultraviolet rays. The person himself also avoids the sun. Remember, when we go to the beach, we cover ourselves with various sun protection creams. So why should we trust the sun's rays of hawthorn. In fact, the hawthorn should not come into contact with the rays when separated from the tree .
The fact is that ultraviolet radiation completely kills all beneficial substances even when exposed to berries for an hour . Imagine what will happen if the hawthorn lies in direct sunlight for more than one day.
Of course, all this is very sad, but man has invented many devices that allow you to dry berries at home without exposing them to sunlight. Of course, drying methods differ significantly from each other, so our task is to consider each and draw our own conclusions.
How to dry hawthorn in the oven
The oven is an excellent option for drying fruits, vegetables and berries. It is also suitable for hawthorn. The process of freeing raw materials from natural moisture is short-lived, and it is easy to control. The result is dried hawthorn, as in the photo.
At what temperature should you dry hawthorn in the oven?
Drying of raw materials is carried out at a temperature not exceeding 60 degrees. You also need a clean baking tray and baking paper on which to place the berries. The oven is heated in advance and maintained warm until the raw material becomes solid.
How long does it take to dry hawthorn in the oven?
It is difficult to say how long it takes to dry hawthorn in an electric oven at home. It all depends on the humidity and size of the berries. As a rule, the readiness of the raw materials is checked manually: if the boyarka does not deform when pressed, then you can stop drying.
How to dry hawthorn in an electric oven
And now about how to properly dry hawthorn at home in the oven:
- The baking sheet with the raw materials is placed on the middle shelf of the oven.
- If the stove has a ventilation mode, then close the door. Otherwise, drying should take place in a slightly open oven. This is a necessary condition, otherwise the evaporated moisture will again settle on the berries in the form of condensation, which means the drying time will increase.
- When exposed to temperature, raw materials in the oven change not only color, but also size.
- On average, drying boyarka in the oven lasts 6-7 hours or a little less.
Attention! When the dried fruits have cooled, they are placed in paper bags. The berries in them do not lose their beneficial properties for 2 years.
How to dry hawthorn in a gas stove oven
If the apartment has a gas stove with an oven, then it can be used for drying vegetables, fruits, berries, including hawthorn. The procedure is simple and allows you to obtain a dried product in a short time.
Stages of work:
- Preheat the oven to 40 degrees in advance. A higher rate will destroy the beneficial properties of hawthorn.
- Keep the sheet for 5-7 hours until the berries reduce in size and dry.
- The cabinet door is opened from time to time to release moisture.
Warning! The raw material should not burn, so it is stirred.
Drying technology for hawthorn flowers
The process of harvesting hawthorn flowers occurs during its flowering period - May-June. The main difficulty in harvesting is associated with the short flowering period of the shrub (only 2-3 days) and the need to collect in dry weather. Flowers collected after rain or dew take a long time to dry and are subject to rapid rotting. In addition, the harvested inflorescences must not be damaged by rot or insects.
Hawthorn flowers are collected in May-June
During collection, the inflorescences are carefully cut with scissors or picked by hand, folded without compacting them into a basket, after shaking off the insects attracted by the rich aroma of the flowering bush.
Attention! You should not use plastic bags to collect flowers, since the raw materials placed in them will quickly smear and deteriorate.
To dry hawthorn flowers at home, they should be laid out in one layer on cloth or paper in a ventilated and shaded place, covered with gauze to prevent insects, and turned over from time to time.
The drying process will go faster if you use a special electric dryer, setting the temperature to 40°C.
It is better to store flowers in a glass or wooden container
Dried raw materials should be stored in paper, fabric or wooden packaging and used within 1 year.
How to dry hawthorn in an electric dryer
The presence of an electric dryer allows you to speed up the drying process of hawthorn. The temperature is easy to control.
How to use the dryer:
- The berries are placed on a special tray and distributed in one layer so that drying occurs evenly.
- The pallet is placed on the middle level. The raw materials will not burn here.
At what temperature should you dry hawthorn in an electric dryer?
When using a dryer to prepare vitamin raw materials, you first need to place the tray, and only then turn on the equipment. The initial temperature is 60 degrees. After 2 hours, the indicator is reduced to 40 degrees so that the moisture evaporates slowly. After another 2 hours they return to the original value.
So, you need to dry hawthorn in an electric dryer by changing the temperature, which takes about 6 hours.
Alternative drying methods
In addition to the oven, you can also dry hawthorn in a special dryer, outdoors or in a room, or use a microwave or refrigerator for this purpose. Before starting the process, in order to remove dust from the surface of the collected berries, they should be lightly rinsed, and then, scooping handfuls into a rag, lightly wipe them without much pressure.
You can dry hawthorn in an electric dryer.
- The air-drying process involves the collected and sorted fruits being laid out unwashed in a single layer on trays covered with paper. In the evening, trays must be brought indoors to avoid getting wet from dew. During the day, cover the trays with gauze to protect them from insects. The process itself will take several days - 6-8, but as a result, the quality of the dried fruits will not be inferior to those that were dried in the oven or in another way. In damp and cloudy weather, drying hawthorn can be done in the attic or barn.
- Drying hawthorn in a room can be done as long as the central heating is turned on. To do this, paper-lined containers with berries are placed near the radiators; the readiness of the product is determined by testing.
- Another way to dry hawthorn is to use an electric dryer for this purpose. The advantage of this method is the ability to regulate the heat supply by monitoring the process. Medium-level trays are best suited for drying hawthorn. Preparing fruits before drying is similar to the previous options. After placing them in the tray, it is necessary to set the required temperature - at + 60°C, which after 3 hours is reduced to + 40-50°C, and then after another 3 hours is raised to the previous level. When the device is fully loaded, so that the process proceeds evenly, the trays can be periodically swapped, moving up and down. The average duration of the process is 8-14 hours.
- If you have a refrigerator with a “no frost” function, you can harvest hawthorn fruits as follows. The prepared berries are placed on a tray lined with newspapers, covered with paper on top and placed on the refrigerator shelf. Changing the paper bedding daily and stirring occasionally. After 5-7 days, the dried berries can be transferred to a paper bag and stored in a closet.
- If there are very few berries, you can dry them in the microwave, setting the power to 300 W. The process will take a couple of days, but you can speed it up by adjusting the power from 300 to 600 W. Readiness, as always, is determined experimentally.
A small amount of berries can be dried in the microwave
Attention! The taste of dried hawthorn will be more interesting if, during the harvesting process, you sprinkle it with cinnamon, ginger powder, or dry it together with apples.
By spending a little time and drying the hawthorn, using recommendations and photo tips, you can enjoy delicious vitamin herbal tea, which strengthens the immune system, gives vigor and good mood, until the next harvest.
How to dry hawthorn at home
It is not necessary to dry raw materials in electrical appliances. The natural process of removing moisture has been known for a long time. After collecting the berries and appropriate preparation, begin drying.
The nuances of drying hawthorn fruits:
- Place the berries on trays that have been previously covered with cloth or paper.
- Place the trays in a room with a roof so that the raw materials are not exposed to direct rays of the sun, but most importantly, the berries are not exposed to rain.
- The raw materials are stirred for several days to ensure even drying.
- The readiness of vitamin products is checked manually, but, as a rule, hawthorn berries dry out in 4-5 days if the weather is sunny outside.
- At night, the pallets are brought into the house so that the dried food does not become damp.
- Every day you need to change the substrate under the fruit to a dry one.
- At the end of drying, the boyarka can be exposed to the sun for 30-45 minutes so that the remaining moisture evaporates.
Comment! Dry hawthorn does not stick together, but crumbles.
Composition and calorie content of dried hawthorn
The bright fruits of hawthorn are often also called boyar. Scientists currently count more than 1,500 species of this shrub. Each has its own differences: the color of the fruit ranges from pale yellow to bright orange and even black, the taste can be sharp-sweet or tart. Also, each variety has its own composition, for which this product is valued.
If flowers and leaves are collected in the spring, then the fruits gain the maximum concentration of nutrients from August to October. Ripening time often depends on climatic conditions and growing region.
Important! You cannot collect hawthorn berries near highways or industrial enterprises. Such a product manages to become saturated with toxic substances, which can harm health instead of being beneficial.
If the drying process is carried out correctly, then the finished product will retain all the beneficial substances for which hawthorn is famous. And its composition is unique: in addition to a large number of vitamins (ascorbic acid can be isolated), it contains organic acids and microelements necessary for the human body.
Dried hawthorn contains tannins, tocopherol, phytosterols, carotenoids and essential oils. But the main advantage of these fruits is the presence of ursolic acid, which is rarely found in other products.
Natural sugar in the composition is safe for health, unlike artificial sugar.
The calorie content of dried hawthorn is only 52 kcal per 100 g of raw material. BJU for the same weight: proteins - 0 g, fats - 0 g and carbohydrates 14 g.
Uses of dried hawthorn
Dried hawthorn has been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes for many centuries. This area of application should not be surprising, because the berries have medicinal properties:
- Dried boyarka is brewed and drunk like tea after infusion. You can make a compote from the berries in winter or add any dried fruits to it. The drinks are aromatic and low in calories.
- Balms, extracts, and decoctions are made from dry boyarka. Each time a fresh drug is prepared.
- Dried fruits are used to prepare alcohol tinctures.
It should be understood that taking any herbs and berries is unsafe. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a doctor to avoid harm to health.
How to use dried hawthorn: recipes and tips for use
Infusions and teas from hawthorn berries are an indispensable remedy for insomnia and chronic fatigue. In combination with other herbs and honey, they tone and relax the body. To improve your sleep you will need:
- 1 tbsp. l. dry berries;
- 300 ml. boiling water;
- 1 tsp. honey
Pour boiling water over the berries, add honey and drink instead of tea half an hour before bedtime. Crushed flowers and fruits are added to regular tea and coffee.
For people with disorders of the heart muscle: angina pectoris, arrhythmia, infusions are prepared:
- 5 g flowers;
- 200 ml boiling water.
Leave in a water bath for 15 minutes, then cool and filter. The volume is brought to the original volume with boiled water and taken 0.5 cups at a time.
Hawthorn infusion for atherosclerosis:
- 20 g dried berries;
- 200 ml. boiling water
The composition is infused for half an hour. The entire volume is divided into two parts and taken before breakfast and after dinner before bed.
When using hawthorn for medicinal purposes, strictly adhere to the dosage
This infusion will help with high blood pressure:
- Prepare a mixture of parts: dried hawthorn “apples” – 4; motherwort – 4; chamomile flowers – 1; bogweed - 4.
- 1 tbsp. l. The mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water and left for 1 hour.
- Take 1 tbsp. l. in a day.
Dried hawthorn bark is brewed for fever, shortness of breath and diarrhea. The bark of this shrub is a natural antithrombic drug. Thanks to the glycoside esculin it contains, decoctions from the bark reduce the risk of blockage of blood vessels.
Hawthorn is consumed not only dry, but also fresh. Diluted berry juice will benefit the nervous, digestive and circulatory systems. Side effects can only occur if recommended doses are exceeded.
How to store dried hawthorn
Drying allows you to preserve vitamin and healthy products for 2 years, but only if you follow the storage rules:
- After drying, the fruits can be placed in paper bags for a short time. For long-term storage, it is better to use glass jars or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids so that moisture and pests cannot reach the dried product.
- The containers are kept in a room where it is always dry and has ventilation at a temperature of +10 to +18 degrees.
- It is prohibited to store dried boyarka, like any dried fruit, in fabric bags. They can be damaged by moths.
Comment! Direct sunlight should not fall on containers where dried products are stored.
Hawthorn benefits. Hawthorn - benefits and harm
The value that hawthorn has and its beneficial properties are recognized by both folk and official medicine. The fruits contain a lot of vitamins, and there is no less carotene than in carrots or rose hips. They also contain sugar and sorbitol, which is valuable for diabetics. There are also tannins, but when frozen they weaken, the berries become sweeter and less tart.
What other substances does hawthorn contain - benefits:
- quercitrin – maintains vascular elasticity, has antitumor and antioxidant effects;
- querticin - useful for cerebral circulation, heart and blood vessels, reduces the risk of cataracts;
- hyperoside – utilizes glucose, increases oxygen in the blood;
- Vitexin - dilates blood vessels, accelerates metabolism in the heart muscle;
- ursolic acid – heals, relieves inflammation;
- oleanolic acid – increases blood supply to the heart;
- chlorogenic acid – blocks sclerosis, improves the functioning of the kidneys and liver;
- caffeic acid – promotes the secretion of bile.
But along with its beneficial properties, hawthorn has contraindications. It is not recommended to use it when concentration of attention is needed, during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and for children under 12 years of age. In case of overdose, it can cause nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure.
Prohibited for the following ailments:
- hypotension;
- condition after a stroke;
- renal failure;
- ulcer;
- gastritis;
- increased stomach acidity.
Hawthorn fruits - beneficial properties and contraindications
It is known that during the war, hawthorn fruits were used to treat colds, inflammation, cleansing blood vessels, and general health. Their properties were especially valued in hospitals when there was a shortage of medicines. The Slavs knew about the ability of this plant to heal after wounds, which is why they endowed the plant with magical powers and wore the berries as a talisman.
Decoctions and infusions of berries stimulate neurons, improve memory, motor skills, and concentration, which is why hawthorn is useful and manifests itself in the treatment of such ailments:
- tachycardia, angina pectoris;
- arrhythmia;
- coronary insufficiency;
- atherosclerosis;
- glaucoma;
- diarrhea;
- allergies, dermatitis;
- nervous exhaustion;
- migraine;
- hormonal imbalances;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- liver and kidney problems;
- malfunction of the biliary tract.
Hawthorn seeds - beneficial properties and contraindications
Hawthorn retains beneficial properties and contraindications not only in the berries, but also in the seeds; there are about 5 of them in each berry, they sit loosely and are easily removed. They retain their healing power even when dried and frozen; they are not removed during harvesting unless prescribed by a doctor. They can also be treated separately from the pulp.
What medicinal properties does hawthorn retain in its seeds?
- improves the functioning of the nervous system, heart, blood vessels
- relieves swelling;
- strengthens the immune system;
- helps regenerate tissues;
- normalizes blood composition in diabetes;
- reduces the frequency of seizures in epilepsy;
- treats headaches, nervous tension;
- removes toxins, improves carbohydrate metabolism.
Hawthorn leaves - beneficial properties and contraindications
Hawthorn also preserves beneficial properties and contraindications in its leaves; such decoctions are used to treat heart diseases. At the same time, they strengthen the body and saturate it with useful substances. Flavonoids are very important in the composition, among which hyperoside is considered more valuable. They learned to brew blood cleansing teas from leaves back in the 19th century, when there were no fruits in stock.
Valuable hawthorn leaves contain:
- organic acids;
- triterpene acids;
- choline;
- carotene;
- bioflavonoids.
Hawthorn flowers - beneficial properties and contraindications
Hawthorn flowers are also brewed for treatment; they are collected at the beginning of flowering - from late May to early June. The inflorescences must be collected whole, folded so that they do not wrinkle, without damaging the structure, otherwise they will quickly deteriorate. It should be dried immediately after collection, preferably in the attic, where it is warm and dry, with good ventilation.
Contains many valuable substances:
- sugars – glucose, arabinose, fructose;
- vitamins B, PP;
- ascorbic acid;
- anthocyanins;
- catechins;
- coumarins;
- organic acids;
- pectins;
- sorbitol;
- essential oils.
The beneficial properties of hawthorn are manifested in infusions of flowers in the treatment of such ailments:
- bronchial asthma;
- atherosclerosis;
- vegetative neuroses;
- hypertension;
- prostatitis;
- ailments of the gastrointestinal tract.
Such medicines are contraindicated for:
- esophagitis;
- gastritis;
- duodenitis;
- enteritis;
- colitis;
- proctitis;
- jade;
- enteritis;
- cystitis;
- urethritis.
How to dry hazelnuts. How to properly store shelled hazelnuts
Shelled hazelnuts are more difficult to store, because they are more susceptible to external factors, such as unpleasant odors, humidity, high temperatures, etc. This significantly reduces shelf life.
Peeled hazelnuts are stored only in hermetically sealed containers. Moreover, it must be made of clay or glass.
Store peeled nuts at a temperature of 3 to 10 C for no more than three months.
- It is better to store dried nuts in bags made of thick fabric. Polyethylene bags are not suitable for this, since condensation may form in them when the temperature changes. The dried hazelnuts are poured into a bag and tied tightly.
- Before sending for storage, the nuts are carefully sorted so that not a single one is left undried or damaged.
- The appearance of moisture can provoke the formation of mold, so before placing hazelnuts in containers, you should carefully check the nuts and container for dryness.
- Store hazelnuts only in a dark room with the lowest possible temperature.
- It is not recommended to store hazelnuts in the same container with other types of nuts.
- Salted or roasted nuts can be stored for no more than two weeks.
- Hazelnuts can be stored in the freezer or refrigerator. This method is more suitable for shelled nuts.
- Hazelnuts can quickly deteriorate from lack of oxygen. Therefore, when choosing storage containers, give preference to fabric bags.
Now you know all the nuances of storing hazelnuts at home. By following the recommendations from our article, you can enjoy fragrant and tasty nuts in winter.
How to dry nuts? It is known that it is necessary to store nuts in a dried form, otherwise they may become moldy and completely spoiled. You can dry nuts in a variety of ways. We'll talk about how to dry nuts at home for...
How to dry nuts? It is known that it is necessary to store nuts in a dried form, otherwise they may become moldy and completely spoiled. You can dry nuts in a variety of ways. We'll talk about how to dry nuts at home for...
How to dry nuts? It is known that it is necessary to store nuts in a dried form, otherwise they may become moldy and completely spoiled. You can dry nuts in a variety of ways. We'll talk about how to dry nuts at home for...
Dried hazelnuts (hazelnuts) - drying at home In some recipes it is recommended to use only hazelnuts, and in others hazelnuts or hazelnuts, and they insist on their own version of the recipe. Are there any differences between hazelnuts and hazels? In fact,
How to dry nuts? It is known that it is necessary to store nuts in a dried form, otherwise they may become moldy and completely spoiled. You can dry nuts in a variety of ways. We'll talk about how to dry nuts at home for...
If you decide to dry hazelnuts (hazelnuts) in the oven, then it is not at all necessary to first peel them. After all, with the help of such a kitchen device, you can achieve uniform processing of all fruits even in the peel.
Storing hawthorn
Proper storage of hawthorn after drying is also important. It can be stored in paper or fabric bags, as well as in glass containers for a period of no more than 2 years. But in winter you can make compotes from it and eat it. This is very beneficial for the health of the whole body.
In this article we will teach you how to dry hawthorn in an electric dryer at home - complete step-by-step instructions with photographs further ..
Most people now have to work so much that chronic fatigue becomes a common companion, especially intensifying in the evenings.
The heart always suffers from overload, and the body lacks internal energy.
In order not to become a regular customer of the pharmacy ahead of time, you need to introduce into your diet foods that have natural healing properties.
Hawthorn berries are an excellent remedy for the prevention of heart disease and the treatment of the first stages of incipient ailments.
Hawthorn compote. How to prepare a tasty and healthy hawthorn compote
- 1 hour
- 5 servings
Hawthorn compote is not difficult to prepare. Our step-by-step recipe with detailed preparation photographs will help you in this matter..
Dry hawthorn berries are used primarily for medicinal purposes for the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
The taste of tinctures and decoctions of such berries cannot be called a gastronomic masterpiece; there is something specific and “pharmacy” in it.
Fresh hawthorn berries look like miniature apples and have an apple-like taste.
Hawthorn compote is a very healthy drink, but its taste needs an “aromatic boost.” By adding a sliced apple and a pinch of citric acid, you can get an unusual taste.
Sweet “red-skinned” apples are placed in the compote. A couple of small fruits are good. If you generously increase the amount of apples, the hawthorn flavor will disappear altogether. In this preparation, you need to delicately emphasize the taste of medicinal berries, without drowning it out with fruit.
Hawthorn compote - recipe with photo
Ingredients
For 2 liters:
- hawthorn – 200 g,
- apples – 100 g,
- water – 1.7 l,
- sugar – 170 g,
- citric acid – 1/3 tsp. (optional).
Cooking sequence:
Hawthorn and apples are washed, and the dry tails are torn off from the berries.
Hawthorn berries are poured into a sterilized jar.
The apples are cut into thin slices, leaving out the core with the seeds.
Compote is prepared using sugar syrup. Of all the oriental spices, only star anise can be present in the syrup, but only one star is given. This addition is optional, but it will not spoil the overall impression; hawthorn and star anise go well together. Pour water into a saucepan and add citric acid. Boil the syrup over medium heat for 3 minutes.
Hot syrup is poured into a sterilized jar.
Cover the bottom of a large pan with a thin towel, place a jar of compote on top, covering it with a sterilized lid. Warm water is poured into the pan up to the shoulder line of the jar. You can first pour water and then put the jar. Further sterilization takes place with slowly boiling water. A two-liter jar needs to be sterilized for 15 minutes.
Roll up a jar of hot hawthorn compote, place it on the floor upside down, and cover with a towel. Sterilized compote does not need to be carefully wrapped in a warm blanket; one small towel is enough.
When the hawthorn compote has cooled, you need to choose a suitable place for it: a dry cellar, a dark pantry.
The compote will have a refreshing taste, this is its advantage over a decoction of dried berries. The color of the drink is light, and the smell will be apple.
The compote is not strained before serving; the soft hawthorn berries are quite edible, they look like canned apples.
Prepare hawthorn compote according to our recipe and bon appetit!!!
Step-by-step instruction
Preparation
Before drying of hawthorn begins, it must be prepared for the procedure.
The preparation process includes:
- Inspection of raw materials for the presence of rotten and spoiled berries;
- The tails and shields are torn off from the fruits;
- Wash and dry the hawthorn on a paper towel;
- If the berries are to be dried without seeds, then they must be removed.
What to dry in?
Electric dryer
This method is quite time-consuming, but its advantage is the ability to monitor the process and completely control it.
Place the prepared berries on a tray, which is placed in the center of the electric dryer so that the fruits dry evenly. This will also help avoid drying out and, conversely, the hawthorn will not remain damp.
How to freeze and dry:
Microwave
This method is good because you can check the readiness of the hawthorn at any moment, but a lot of electricity is consumed. It is also worth considering that the harm caused by microwaves to food is not known for certain and whether the fruit remains beneficial with this cooking method.
With this method, you need to place the hawthorn in the middle between two cotton layers of fabric.
Oven
The simplest and most popular method is oven drying. For this method, you simply place the hawthorn in a single layer on a baking sheet. Stir the berries periodically.
Video tutorial:
How much time?
Each method differs in its duration.
Fruit drying time:
- In an electric dryer, the hawthorn should be dried for five to eight hours; if the process lasts longer, the berries will dry out;
- In an air fryer, the duration will be slightly longer (at least eight hours, but no more than ten).
- In a microwave oven, the process usually takes several days due to the small capacity, but if the amount of hawthorn is small, it will be more convenient to dry it this way.
Temperature
Temperature values when drying hawthorn:
- First, place a tray with raw materials in the electric dryer, and then turn it on to a temperature of sixty degrees. After a couple of hours, reduce it to forty degrees, and at the end of drying, raise it again to 60C;
- In an air fryer, they are also initially heated to 60C, but due to the small capacity of the device, the berries can burn, so you need to gradually periodically lower the temperature, and sometimes increase the already reduced temperature;
- In the microwave, they do not adjust the degrees, but set the mode to 300 Watt, and then you should switch the regulator to 600 Watt. At the end of the process, you need to return the indicator to 300 watts.
- To dry it in an oven, it is first heated to a temperature of sixty degrees, and then a baking sheet with fruits is placed. This temperature regime must be maintained throughout the entire process.
Determining readiness
The readiness of hawthorn, when cooked in all these kitchen appliances, is determined the same way. At the end of the approximate drying time, look at the following indicators:
- The berries must be dry and no juice should be released from them;
- They are also wrinkled;
- They are difficult to tear apart with your fingers;
- Readiness can also be determined by the color, which should be red or copper in color.
When the hawthorn is ready, it needs to be allowed to cool, and then consumed or poured into a storage container.