Dried apricot (or, as it is otherwise called, dried apricots) is the most nutritious among its fellows. This product is valued due to its beneficial qualities, which are preserved even after the drying process.
Previously, obtaining dried apricots from apricots was a lengthy process. In this case, first the fruits were sorted, cut and pitted. After this, the fruits were dried in the heat. They were necessarily covered with cloth to protect them from insects.
Currently, such dried fruits are produced using a special technology using chemicals. So that the dried fruit acquires a bright orange color, a composition such as sulfur dioxide is included in the soaking solution.
To obtain safe, maximally healthy dried apricots, you should make them at home. To do this, 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.
Dried apricots are used to decorate desserts. It is also added to breakfasts as a snack. Compotes and fruit drinks are prepared on the basis of such apricots. Moreover, 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 prepared in compliance with all requirements.
Composition and calorie content of dried apricots
Most of the dried apricots consist of liquid. So, for 100 g of dried fruit there is about 70 g of water. In addition, it contains a lot of carbohydrates.
During drying, apricot loses some of its beneficial elements. Basically, 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 are vitamin A, group B, namely pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine. Dried apricots also contain ascorbic acid and niacin.
The value of dried apricots is determined by the presence of macro- and microelements. Dried fruits are rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese and phosphorus. A large number of acids of organic origin were found in them. Dried apricots contain 12 amino acids, 7 of which are essential.
It should also be noted that about 80 percent of the total volume of dried apricots consists of fructose, sucrose and glucose. Despite this, the calorie content of dried apricots is considered low. 100 g of fruit contains about 240 kcal. To provide the body with the necessary substances, it is enough to consume 5 pieces per day.
At what temperature should you dry apricots?
As mentioned above, at first drying takes place at a low temperature, about 50 degrees, so that the entire surface of the fruit does not bake immediately. And then gradually bring it to 65 degrees. This is the optimal mode for drying fruits, in this case apricot.
What temperature should be to properly dry apricots?
How to choose apricots for drying
To obtain dried apricots, you must choose cultivated apricots. Wild varieties are not suitable for these purposes. You need to select sweet, ripe, but not watery specimens. The fruit will be treated with boiling water, so it will lose most of its liquid. It should also be taken into account that the fruits must be of later varieties.
Now you need to sort through the fruits, get rid of wormy, bruised and rotten fruits. Overripe apricots are also not recommended for such manipulations.
It is necessary to feel the fruits. However, they should not be very soft. The fruit that is best suited for this is one that is bright orange in color.
Selecting the best fruits for making dried apricots
In order to end up with tasty, sweet and meaty dried apricots, you first need to choose the right apricots. Small wild fruits are not suitable for harvesting for the winter; all that will be left of them is the skin, and besides, they can taste bitter and contain hard veins. It is best to use “cultivated” apricot varieties. The fruits should be large, fleshy, not overripe and easily separated from the stone.
How to prepare fruits for drying
After selection, you can begin washing the fruit mass.
- Rinse the fruits with cool water to remove the film.
- Peel selected apricots and divide them into two parts. It is important to get rid of wormy fruits. Otherwise, the larvae may be reborn during the drying process. The product cut in half should not be washed.
- In order for the dried apricots to eventually acquire a light color, it is recommended to first place the raw material in a colander and hold it over steam for 15–20 minutes. This option is relevant for any drying method, be it an oven, an electric dryer or the sun.
- You can use another method. To do this, prepare a syrup from 200 g of sugar and a mug of water. Immerse the prepared fruits in the resulting solution for several minutes.
- After this, spread the apricots on a flat surface and leave for a while to drain the liquid.
Dried apricots and dried apricots - is there a difference?
Dried apricots without pits are called dried apricots. To prepare dried fruits, ripe and juicy fruits are used. The seed is removed using a special incision made in the middle of the fruit.
Dried apricots improve immunity and improve digestion
Before drying, the fruit is soaked in water with citric acid, then dried in the sun or using household appliances. Dried apricots are used to prepare compotes, pies, and decoctions. These dried fruits are also served as a dessert for tea.
Drying rules
Simple rules will help make dried apricots juicy and tasty.
- To prepare dried fruits, it is better to use selected apricots.
- After removing the pit, the fruit should be rinsed well.
- To preserve juiciness and bright color, soak the fruits in water with citric acid for 5–10 minutes.
- To obtain juicy dried apricots, you need to dry them in the sun or in the oven.
Most of the beneficial microelements will be preserved when dried in air.
How to dry apricots for dried apricots
Dried apricots are a storehouse of vitamins, especially in winter. Depending on how exactly the raw materials are prepared and dried, there are several varieties of this delicacy.
If an apricot is cut into two parts, the pit is removed, after which the fruit is dried, the result is dried apricots. If the fruit is washed and then dried together with the seed, then it is an apricot. You can also pit whole fruits using a special device and send them to dry in the sun. Such preparations are called “kaisa”.
On a note!
Dried fruits are widely used in cooking, medicine, and are included in various diets.
However, in order for the product to please you with its taste and appearance, as well as saturate the body with useful substances, you need to be able to dry apricots correctly.
In the oven
- The process of preparing a tasty and healthy delicacy should begin with careful preparation. First, sort out the fruits, rinse them and cut them into even pieces. It is important to consider that apricots need to be washed in advance. It is not recommended to do this before drying. Otherwise, the moisture will not evaporate completely.
- Carefully separate the pits so as not to damage the apricot pulp. Otherwise, the finished dried apricots will have an unattractive appearance.
- Place the raw materials in a colander and leave over steam for a quarter of an hour. Then place it on a cotton cloth and leave for about an hour. At this time, you can start preparing the form. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Now arrange the fruit halves cut side up. The oven should be preheated to 60 degrees. After this, place the baking sheet with the preparations in the oven for 8–9 hours.
- Open the device door every 60–90 minutes to get rid of excess moisture. For convenience, you can install a small wooden block in the oven hole to secure the door.
- From time to time, remove the form with fruits to check the readiness of the treat.
The preparations should not be overdried. High-quality prepared dried apricots should have a rich color and density.
In an electric dryer
If you have a dedicated dryer, it is important to follow the recommendations of the specific device manufacturer.
- Place the prepared fruits on the drying rack with the cuts facing up.
- It is important not to allow the fruits to come into contact with each other, as they may stick together during the drying process. Place the grid inside the device. Next, set the temperature to 45 degrees for two hours.
- 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 again to 45 degrees and continue for another hour and a half.
- After all procedures, open the device and place the dried fruits on a cotton towel. When the dried apricots have cooled, they can be transferred to a wooden box or fabric bag with good ventilation.
In the microwave
The process of preparing dried apricots from apricots using a microwave oven is quite simple, you just need to pay attention to the fruits, since too quickly the halves of fresh fruits can turn into burnt pieces. Microwaves of such a device very quickly ensure drying of any fruit.
As for apricots, for this type of raw material it is recommended to set the device power to no higher than 300 watts. This process will take no more than two minutes. After this, you can check the product for readiness. If the fruit is not completely dry, increase the drying time by another 30 seconds. If necessary, this time can be gradually increased.
In the sun
This method of obtaining dried apricots is considered the most natural, since apricots are dried naturally under sunlight.
- You need to prepare the fruits by washing and cutting them. As in other cases, repeat the procedure associated with keeping the apricots over steam.
- Now line wooden trays with parchment paper and randomly distribute the workpieces on them “butts” down.
- First, dry the fruit in the shade for 3–4 hours. Only after this can they be laid out under the scorching rays of the sun to the required degree of drying. After sunset, remove the dried fruits into the room and cover with gauze. This is necessary to ensure that the product is not damaged by insects.
Drying apricots using this technology usually takes about ten days, so you need to be patient. After the next drying day is completed, it is recommended to place the legs of the tray or tray on which the fruit slices are laid out in a container of water. This will protect the products from ants.
You can also use a combined method. In this case, the raw materials must first be kept under the sun for four hours, then preheat the oven to 65 degrees and place the apricots there for 60 minutes. After the specified period, you should remove the workpieces and place them in the shade until the drying process is complete.
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With or without bone
Dried apricot halves are called dried apricots . Kaisa are whole fruits, which are also dried without seeds, after pushing them through the hole at the place where the stalk is attached. From kaisa you can make alani stuffed with crushed walnuts, sugar, cinnamon and cardamom. To make sears, the largest, sweetest and softest varieties are taken. A peeled nut is placed inside the ashtak. All these delicacies do not last long. But apricots - apricots with pits, dried until completely dehydrated - win in all respects: both in terms of nutrient content and shelf life.
Apricots are used mainly for preparing winter compotes - uzvars.
How safe are the nucleoli in the pits?
There is an opinion that the amygdalin contained in apricot kernels, the breakdown of which produces toxic hydrocyanic acid, is neutralized after thermal exposure and the nucleoli become completely harmless. However, this is not quite true. Not all varieties of apricot nuts are suitable for consumption. For example, even fried kernels of zherdel (an uncultivated species with small, yellow, freshish fruits) and other wild varieties can pose a danger.
What properly dried apricots should look like
The degree of readiness of dried fruits can be determined by several criteria:
- First of all, you need to feel the dried apricot. If drying is carried out in compliance with all requirements, dried apricots turn out wrinkled, but at the same time elastic. All fruits should be pleasant to the touch and slightly heavier than completely dried specimens, as they should still contain a small amount of liquid.
- Also, to check the readiness of dried apricots, it is recommended to immerse the dried apricot in boiling water. If it swells, it means the fruit is cooked correctly. It is in them that a lot of vitamins and mineral elements are preserved.
- When drying at home, no chemicals are usually used. As a result, dried fruits acquire a light yellow, brown or pale orange color.
- The pronounced shade of dried apricots indicates that chemical compounds were used during the drying process.
Selection and preparation of raw materials
Small and overripe fruits with a loose, fibrous, watery, or too delicate structure are not suitable for drying. Visually choosing the most successful varieties (for example, “Magic”, “Kolkhoznye”, “Red Partisan”, “Sirena”, etc.) is not so easy. It is important that the apricots are firm, preferably with orange-red skin.
Moderately ripe fruits can be easily broken by hand, the stone is easily separated without damaging the pulp
When purchasing at the market or in a store, if possible, raw materials should be tested for the presence of harmful substances using a nitrate meter.
The preparation is simple and essentially the same for all drying methods. Fruits need to be washed, discarding specimens with dents, rotten areas, or damaged by caterpillars. Sometimes, before drying, apricots are soaked for 5-10 minutes in water with the addition of citric acid or lemon juice (0.5-1 teaspoon of acid per 1 liter of water) to preserve color.
Depending on the purpose of the preparation, the bone is removed or left. There is no need to remove the skin. Experienced housewives know that at home drying whole apricots, including the pit, is quite difficult - it will take a lot of time. To speed up the process, it is more practical to cut them into halves or quarters.
How to properly store dried apricots
First you need to figure out what is the best way to store dried apricots.
- In this case, you can use cotton bags. This is the most common method compared to others. In this case, you just need to place dried apricots in them and hang the bags on cloves in a room with an optimal level of humidity and protected from sunlight.
- You can also use plastic bags for these purposes. 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 it must be opened and the contents ventilated.
- You can store dried apricots in a cardboard container. In this case, the box must be lined with paper, after which dried apricots should be placed on it in one row.
- You can use a refrigerator shelf to store such a product. In addition, it may be in the freezer. If you use the right packaging, dried fruits 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 container material are met, dried apricots can be stored for a month on a shelf, or for six months in a dark and cool place. When the product is kept in the refrigerator, the shelf life of the delicacy is 10 months. If the delicacy is placed in the freezer, it is suitable for consumption for up to 18 months.
When keeping dried apricots out of the freezer, it is recommended to check dried fruit supplies every month for mold and insect damage. If at least one spoiled specimen is found, you will have to throw everything away, since mold spores are already present on the rest of the fruit, even if they are not visible at first. If bugs appear in a container with dried apricots, some of the products can still be saved by getting rid of only the damaged fruit. The remaining amount of dried apricots should be placed in the freezer for a day, and then pour boiling water over it. After an hour, all apricot pieces must be thoroughly washed. It is better to use them in a short time and not send them for long-term repeated storage.
Storage
From 4 kg of fresh apricots, approximately 1 kg of homemade semi-finished product is obtained. Due to the loss of liquid, the weight of the workpiece is reduced by 4-5 times compared to the weight of the original raw material. The segments wrinkle and acquire a faded dark orange (closer to brown) color.
Properly dried pieces should be soft, elastic, they do not stick to your hands, and do not release juice when pressed. It is best to store the finished raw materials small , . If signs of spoilage or pests appear, you do not have to throw out the entire batch.
Dried apricots, kaisa, apricots, as well as other dried fruits, are more convenient to store in small jars with tight-fitting lids
Do not use linen bags for packaging (they do not protect against moisture and insects) and metal containers (to avoid oxidation and loss of taste). If the drying technology is carried out without violations and storage conditions are met, then the shelf life of the reserves will be from 12 to 24 months.
The freezer will help preserve the dried product longer . Pre-pack the pieces into food-grade plastic containers with vacuum sealed lids. Before consumption, rather hard dried apricots are pre-soaked. Frozen dried fruits need to be defrosted at room temperature.
Useful tips
- It is not recommended to store different types of dried fruits in the same container. Each variety has different moisture content and smell. For example, if there are prunes among them, all candied fruits will smell like them.
- In some sources you can find advice that you should not purchase a large amount of dried apricots in the store at once, but replenish your supplies only as needed. This recommendation is highly questionable. After all, hardly anyone in the supermarket cares about meeting all the requirements regarding the storage of dried apricots. Moreover, it is unknown what conditions such products were in before they entered the store. Therefore, if you manage to find excellent dried fruits, you should buy them in large quantities. After all, at home you will only have confidence that supplies are stored in proper conditions.
- If insects appear, you can use the oven instead of boiling water. In this case, the products should be poured onto a baking sheet and placed in a device heated to 75 degrees for 40–45 minutes.
- Despite all efforts, dried 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. Glass jars in which supplies are stored should also be placed here.
How to use dried fruits
Dried fruits are a healthy and tasty addition to your diet. They are especially good in winter, when there are few vitamins. Dried apricots are added to cheesecakes, yoghurts, porridge, and baked goods. They are used to make a tasty and healthy compote that supports the heart and has a mild diuretic effect.
According to doctors, apricots reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer by 40%. You should eat 7 or 8 dried apricots per day.
Many people prefer to freeze fruit or make jam. But the best way is to dry it in an electric dryer. This way, fruits do not absorb excess sugar, as in jam, and are stored longer. They are considered more beneficial for the body.
What are the benefits of dried apricots?
- It was previously mentioned that dried 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.
- Experts recommend consuming dried apricots to prevent gastrointestinal diseases. Often, such dried fruits are prescribed for numbness of the limbs.
- In addition, this delicacy is capable of drawing out heavy metals from internal organs, which usually settle on the walls of the intestines and stomach. Due to the large amount of pectins and organic acids, radionuclides can be removed from the human body.
- Regular consumption of dried apricots protects against clogging of blood vessels. The product has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the entire body and heart.
- To tighten the skin, improve blood circulation and smooth out fine wrinkles, you should eat about 90 g of dried apricot fruits daily. Moreover, it can be consumed as a separate product, as well as as part of various dishes.
- Dried apricot has 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 protect against their deposition in the future.
- Moreover, this delicacy can be included in the diet of an obese person. This ingredient is often used when following various diets, despite the presence of saccharides and the degree of calorie content. In this case, the daily norm is no more than 25 g. Eating dried apricots helps eliminate toxins and “bad” cholesterol.
- Partially dried apricot thins the blood. This suggests that this fruit prevents the formation of blood clots. It is useful to include it in the menu for those who have varicose veins. This delicacy contains pectin, which ensures the removal of breakdown products from the body, and dietary fiber restores metabolic processes.
- To regulate digestion, you need to eat several fruits per 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 cardiovascular system.
- Dried apricots contain many vitamins that help strengthen the body's defenses against vitamin deficiency. Dried fruits are recommended for children and adults to eat to protect themselves from parasites.
- Dried apricots help reduce body temperature and are effective in the period after a serious illness or surgery. It is also noted that dried apricots eliminate headaches and cope with colds and flu.
- Carotenoids in the fruit dessert have a beneficial effect on the human visual organs, namely, they reduce the likelihood of developing cataracts and strengthen the muscles of the eyeball. This property of apricot is especially appreciated by patients with vision problems.
- Dried fruits increase physical endurance, which allows them to be used in the diet of athletes. In addition, they stimulate rapid muscle gain, improve mood and raise morale.
- It is recommended to consume dried apricots during increased mental stress.
- Decoctions based on dried apricot can be taken for swelling. This property of the product is appreciated by pregnant women, who often face such problems.
- If you consume no more than 10 g of dried apricots per day for hypertension, you can achieve a decrease in blood pressure.
Places of growth
Apricot is a heat-loving crop that grows mainly in the south. But now breeders are developing new apricot varieties that are more resistant to the cool northern climate. In warm climates, apricots grow for a very long time, they begin to bear fruit in 3 or 5 years, and this continues up to 50 years.
Cultivated varieties of apricots adapted to northern conditions can withstand temperatures down to -25 degrees. They tolerate drought well due to their developed root system and grow well in regions with arid climates.
In Russia, apricots are grown in the Caucasus region and southern regions. Under natural conditions, the plant is resistant to diseases and can withstand severe weather disasters.
Siberian and Manchurian apricots are also found. These are the most frost-resistant varieties. Manchurian is distinguished by its juicy fruits, which are used by humans.
Since ancient times, apricot has been cultivated in Armenia and is considered one of the symbols of the republic. In Central Asia it grows in all regions. This is one of the income sources of these countries. Fresh Central Asian fruits are supplied to many countries around the world. They have excellent taste.
What can you make from dried apricots?
Dried apricots can be used to prepare various desserts, healthy drinks, and are included in diet menus.
Candies
Those with a sweet tooth will surely love dried apricot candies. To prepare this delicacy you will need 100 g of chocolate, 70 g of dried apricots, walnuts and peanuts, as well as 1 tbsp. sesame seeds.
Nuts and apricots should be crushed to crumbs; the size depends on personal taste preferences.
Next, melt the chocolate in the microwave. On average, at maximum power this takes no more than 1 minute 30 seconds.
Now pour the chopped nuts and dried fruits into the chocolate mixture and mix. When the mixture hardens a little, form it into balls and then roll them in sesame seeds. Then place the pieces in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. After this time, you can enjoy delicious and healthy sweets.
Jam
You can make jam from dried apricots. To do this 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 the dried apricots and raisins in water for half an hour. Next, place them together with the nuts in a blender for grinding. In this case, you should also focus on individual preferences: some people like it to be a homogeneous mass, while others prefer jam with small pieces of ingredients.
Place the prepared mixture into a saucepan with a thick bottom and add water. If you plan to use sugar, add it at this stage too. After this, place the bowl with the preparation on the stove and cook for no more than 10 minutes until all the water has evaporated and the candied fruits become softer.
Transfer the finished jam into a jar and close with a lid. The dessert can be stored in the refrigerator for two weeks.
Bakery
Dried apricots can be included in various baked goods. So, to prepare shortbread pie with dried apricots, you need to prepare 200 g of butter, 200 g of dried fruit, 1 glass of sour cream, 400 g of flour, 1.5 tsp. baking powder, 200 g sugar, a pinch of salt and vanillin to taste.
First you need to soak the dried fruits. Next, grate the cold butter, add flour and salt with baking powder. Grind all ingredients into crumbs.
After this, add sour cream and then knead the dough. Wrap it in cling film and place it in the refrigerator for half an hour.
At this time, you can start preparing the filling. To do this, mix dried apricots and 100 g of sugar in a blender. After the formation of a homogeneous mass, add the remaining amount of sweetener. The filling should be sweet.
Next, divide the dough into two unequal parts. From the larger piece you need to roll out a circle. Now line a baking sheet with parchment paper, transfer the rolled out dough into it, and form the sides. After this, add the filling. Then roll out the second piece thinly and transfer it to the filling. In this case, you can make stripes or cuts.
Place the workpiece in the oven for 40 minutes at 180 degrees. If desired, the finished dessert can be sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Rice
Dried apricots are also suitable for making sweet rice. To do this, prepare 1 cup of rice, 2 cups of water, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tbsp. sugar, 1 tbsp. ghee, 3 tbsp. raisins, 6 tbsp. dried apricots and spices to taste.
First you should wash the rice and candied fruits. Place the cereal in a saucepan and pour boiling water over it. Add all other ingredients here, except dried fruits. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer over low heat for a third of an hour. Then turn off the heat and leave the cereal for 15 minutes.
Place the finished rice on plates. Sprinkle each serving with raisins and diced dried apricots.
Cupcakes
There is also a recipe for making curd cake with dried apricots. In this case, you will need the following ingredients: 200 g of cottage cheese, the same amount of flour and sugar, 150 g of butter, 3 eggs, 2 tbsp. sour cream, 1 tsp. vanilla and 1 tsp. baking powder. For the filling you should prepare 200 g of dried apricots, and for soaking you will need only 2 tbsp. sugar and 1 tbsp. 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 forms. Add the sifted flour to the egg mixture. This also includes melted butter and cottage cheese with sour cream. Also add baking powder. The dough turns out thick, but not tough.
To obtain the filling, rinse the pre-soaked dried apricots, pour boiling water over them, then cut into small pieces and mix with the dough.
Place the dough in a greased form. Place the baking sheet in the oven, preheated to 180 degrees, for 40–45 minutes.
Grease the finished cake with a solution of warm boiled water and sugar.
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The benefits of fresh and dried fruits
Even in ancient treatises on medicine, the beneficial properties of apricot are mentioned. The fruit is believed to be rich in potassium, which is easily absorbed, for this reason it is recommended for heart and kidney diseases. A drink made from dried apricots quickly restores strength and helps with anemia. Not recommended for patients with diabetes due to the high sugar content.
In Chinese medicine it is used for respiratory diseases. The fruits contain a little vitamin C, but a lot of carotene. The high content of minerals makes the product valuable for the human body.
The high content of dietary fiber promotes the removal of toxic metabolic products and radionuclides. The content of a small amount of tannins gives the fruit a tart taste. The juice inhibits putrefactive bacteria, has a disinfecting effect, and inhibits the growth of bacteria that multiply in the stomach.
Japanese scientists have discovered the antitumor effect of apricot extract. In particular, the occurrence of metastases was suppressed in malignant melanomas. The growth of pancreatic and breast cancer cells was also suppressed. There is also a beneficial effect on kidney cells, restoring damage from chemicals.
A decoction of dried apricots is good for swelling. Used for high blood pressure as a product rich in magnesium.
When eating industrial dried apricots, it is important to remember that to preserve and give the dried fruit a marketable appearance, fumigation with sulfur dioxide is used. This is a toxic substance that is especially harmful to children. It can lead to asthma symptoms. For this reason, it is better to prepare your own dried fruits, especially if there are children in the family.
Common mistakes
The most common mistake in the drying process is that the slices are placed on the wrong side in different methods.
If you dry them in the microwave, oven, or using air and sun, then you need to lay the halves outer side up, and if you dry them using an electric dryer, you need to lay them outer side down.
How to dry apricots in the oven
If you do not have an electric dryer, then the oven method is suitable for you at home. It is important to be vigilant and closely monitor the temperature here.
The algorithm for this method is as follows:
- Place the prepared apricots (it is important to arrange them so that there is space between them) on a wire rack covered with parchment or baking paper;
- Preheat the oven to +40-60 degrees and place a wire rack with apricots inside. Monitor the temperature, do not let the oven heat up more than 60 degrees.
- After removing the slices from the oven, keep them at room temperature for a while.
IMPORTANT! Open the oven door occasionally to let air in and stir the fruit as it begins to dry out.