Proper storage of dried apples at home

In our latitudes, apples are the most popular and healthiest fruit. Every dacha plot must have an apple tree or even several trees of different varieties. The happy owners of their apple orchard have these fruits all summer long, but not everyone knows what to do with the harvest in winter. You also need to know how to store dried fruits to prevent moths.

Of course, you can buy apples in the store in winter, which are brought from warm countries. But there is not always confidence in their quality, unlike your own homemade fragrant apples.

There are varieties of apples that will not last all winter. In this case, the apples can be dried. As a result, you will get very healthy and sweet dried fruits that can be eaten separately, with porridges and made into an incredibly tasty compote.

The benefits of dried fruits

Dried apples contain vitamins and minerals necessary for the human body. They contain:

• Vitamins E and B.
• Iodine.
• Zinc.
• Copper.
• Iron.
• Manganese.
• Magnesium.
• Ascorbic acid.

In addition to all of the above, these fruits contain:

• Phytoncides that slow down the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
• Tannins that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.
• Various acids that regulate the acid-base balance in the body and help the immune system.
• Fructose helps to quickly saturate the body and relieve it of hunger.
• Polysaccharides - reduce bad cholesterol.

One hundred grams of apples contain only 230 kcal, which allows them to be used as a snack all day. Dried apples are several times higher in calories.

Dried apples help digestion as they contain a large amount of fiber and pectin. The acids, oils and vitamins they contain help speed up metabolism.

How and where to store

How to store dried apples at home so that they do not spoil? Follow the storage rules described above, maintain a stable temperature regime, and avoid temperature changes and fluctuations. In an apartment, it is best to keep dry apples on a glassed-in loggia or balcony. If there are no such premises, then the question of where to store it can be solved with the help of a pantry. If you don't have one, you'll have to use kitchen cabinets.

How to store dried apples in kitchen cabinets? It is enough to place dried fruits in canvas bags and place them on the top shelf, it is always dry there. The main thing is to avoid proximity to radiators and other heat sources. The room should be thoroughly ventilated.

Dried fruits for weight loss

An apple often becomes a companion to any diet, because it quickly satisfies hunger and, compared to other fruits, is relatively low in calories. It contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals, so necessary for people who limit themselves in nutrition. Dried fruits are also often used as snacks during diets.

There are even diets in which you can only eat dried fruits and nuts. You can consume two hundred grams of these products every day during the day. Be sure to drink a lot of water with such a diet, which dried fruits are deprived of.

Storage containers

Experienced housewives believe that if you store dried apples anywhere, they will not last long. Therefore, one of the most important questions is what exactly is the best way to store dried fruits.

The task is not only to maintain their condition, but also to preserve their beneficial properties.

To keep dried apples longer and prevent moths from infesting them, special attention should be paid to the choice of storage containers.

The following can be used as containers:

• glass jar. In glass containers, apples must be thoroughly compacted and the lid tightly closed. It's best to keep apples in clear jars away from sources of UV radiation. Housewives love beautiful containers with a well-fitting lid.
• fabric bags. Wax paper and proximity to a bay leaf will help protect apples from moths when stored in textile bags;
• metal boxes. They should also first be lined with parchment, placed on both the bottom and the top, and then closed tightly and sent until required.

Some gardeners also recommend using plastic containers as an alternative. But such containers are not very suitable for long-term storage: dried apples that are not well-dried will suffocate in a plastic container and easily spoil.

Proper drying

To prepare apples for drying you need:

• Wash all fruits thoroughly.
• Cut off all damaged areas and seeds. There is no need to cut off the peel, as it contains a large amount of vitamins.
• Cut the fruit into slices and soak in a salt solution to preserve color.
• Next, drying occurs using any chosen method.

In the sun

Our ancestors always dried fruits in the sun. This is the best way to preserve all the vitamins and minerals in the fruits. Those who live in a private house or have a summer cottage can easily use this method.

Apples should be cut into slices, placed on newspaper or trays and placed in a sunny place. It’s good if the apples are ventilated. Be sure to stir them several times.

In the fall, when it is no longer so sunny, it is unlikely that you will be able to dry apples in the open air. And high humidity will not allow this.

Storage rules and expiration dates

Storing dried apples at home ideally involves using a cellar or basement. There are all conditions for natural ventilation, cool and dry. But even in an apartment, the shelf life of dried apples can be as long as possible. As in the previous case, it is important to strike a balance between dryness, darkness and coolness.

1. Air humidity should be reduced, no more than 60%.
2. The most preferable temperature range is between 9 and 11 degrees with a plus sign. If we are talking about an apartment, then no more than 20 degrees Celsius.
3. To increase the shelf life of apples, you need to ventilate the room well and prevent the penetration of foreign aromas. Apples absorb them and the taste spoils.
4. Often the shortened shelf life of dried apples is affected by food moths. It starts up in places where there is high humidity and other storage conditions are violated. To avoid the appearance of pests, next to the container where dried apples are stored, you need to place a container with rice or regular salt, as well as the zest or rind of citrus fruits such as lemon, orange or tangerine. The above absorbs excess liquid well.
5. A storage method such as “neighborhood” with laurel or oregano, as well as other plants that emit a pungent odor, helps to cope with food moths. But, even if the midge is not visually visible, the workpiece should be carefully inspected to see if insects have appeared.
6. In the summer, it is possible to properly store dried apples at home, for example, on the balcony, using a method such as covering the workpiece with thin gauze folded in half. An alternative is to place the dried apples in a canvas bag that has been washed with laundry soap but not rinsed.
7. It is prohibited to store dried apples near sources of UV radiation. Direct rays may cause the product to darken.
8. Either late-ripening or mid-ripening varieties that have a strong texture and white flesh are dried. This is Titovka, Antonovka or Grushovka.

Despite the fact that when dried, fruits lose up to 90% of their mass, they retain their vitamins in almost their entire composition.
That's why this storage method is popular among housewives. As for shelf life, if the drying technology was impeccable, the fruit will not spoil for three to four years.

What to cook from dried apples

Dried apples have a very good effect on the functioning of the body. In winter, it is a storehouse of vitamins that can support the immune system and protect against colds. Dry apples can be poured into a vase on the coffee table - they don’t sit out for a long time. But you can also prepare other complete dishes from them.

1. The most common use of dried apples is to make compote. Indeed, various dried fruits give the drink a fruity aroma, rich taste and special sweetness. Add some raisins to the apples and a handful of frozen cherries for color and you'll end up with a delicious summer drink.
2. A slice of dried apple can be thrown into the teapot when brewing tea. This will give the drink a special piquant taste and aroma.
3. If you chop dried apples and simmer them in butter with a little water and sugar, you get an amazing filling for pancakes.
4. Scroll the dried and soaked apple slices through a meat grinder and add a little lemon zest, cinnamon and sugar to the mixture. The prepared mixture can be eaten as jam or used as a pie filling.
5. Add a couple of dried apple slices to the cauldron where you are stewing beef or poultry. The meat acquires a delicate taste and appetizing aroma.
6. Prepare the following mixture, which is not only very tasty, but also incredibly healthy. Chop the apples, add walnuts, raisins and honey. The resulting mixture should be rolled into small balls and sprinkled with coconut flakes. Your child will certainly like these natural and attractive sweets. They not only strengthen the immune system, but also perfectly raise hemoglobin.

In winter, when fresh apples begin to become more expensive, dried apple slices are a real salvation for many housewives. They can be eaten like gummies or added to many dishes.

It has been scientifically proven that drying is the healthiest, optimal and natural way to preserve the vitamins in apples. Dry apples, stock up, store dried fruits correctly and your kitchen will always have something to please your household!

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What to do if you have moths

How to store dried apples to prevent moths? Pests are most often found in rooms where there is high humidity and poor ventilation. Another reason is the sugary sweet and sour aroma that attracts pests. Among the most common is the third reason for the appearance of insects - non-compliance with drying technology.

Many housewives are interested in how to store dried apples without food moths. But the question of how to store dried fruits if insects do appear is even more pressing. There are several ways to kill moths and their larvae:

1. re-sort the workpiece, select moldy and rotten fruits, as well as dried fruits affected by larvae. The remaining products should be placed in an even layer on a baking sheet and placed in an oven preheated to 59-65 degrees for 40-50 minutes.
2. place the workpiece in the cold for a day - the refrigerator or even in the freezer for a couple of hours.

After heat treatment, you should prepare the container where you plan to store the dried apples. It should be thoroughly sterilized and dried.

Is it possible to store dried fruits in glass jars?

Glass jars serve as lifesavers for our housewives. Many people store cereals, seasonings and other drugs in them. Dried fruits are no exception. If you are making small supplies for the winter, then glass containers will have just the thing.

First, you need to figure out whether dried fruits are ready for storage:

• If such a drug was bought in a store, then there should not be any special difficulties with storage. This is provided that all necessary standards have been met. And then you don’t need to leave the question to chance, but sort through the product. Review them carefully, because even in sealed store packaging (for example, raisins) you often come across ones that are unfit for consumption (and even more so for storage).
• Similar products purchased on the market should also be carefully examined. You never know, maybe some insect has taken up residence or some fruit is not entirely suitable for storage (and it will also cause other dried fruits to spoil).
• Homemade dried fruits are worth more careful research. After all, few people have a dehydrator at home, which helps to quickly dry fruits. Naturally, they dry naturally in the sun, outside. Although, some resort to using the oven. Therefore, inspect before packing for the presence of bugs, worms and other insects. After all, in the future, things will become very unpleasant at the bank.
• Spoiled, wormy or rotten fruits go into the trash. They have nothing to do next to good dried fruits.
• And, of course, try to cut the fruits the same size. This way they dry evenly.
• By the way, during the drying process they need to be tossed and turned over, so after this process, unsuitable fruits will be eliminated.
• And an important rule - fruits should be dried, but not overdried. Because damp fruits can quickly deteriorate, and overripe ones (in terms of drying) will taste bitter.

Storing dried fruits

If the fruits have passed the test, then you can safely pack them in prepared containers. But where is the best place to store dried fruits?

• Of course, in a glass jar! There can be no other tableware more reliable than glass for food.
• The only condition is that the lid and jar are sealed. That is, it must close very tightly. It is advisable that these are jars with screw-on lids. But it is also possible under a nylon lid, the main thing is that it closes the jar very tightly and tightly. No insects will be able to penetrate there and spoil the product.
• And also, the absence of oxygen will not allow harmful bacteria and other microorganisms to multiply.

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Mold in Dried Apples: Are They Worth Saving?

Failure to comply with the conditions for storing dried apples will certainly lead to the fact that you will soon see traces of mold on them. Of course, apples can be washed with water or doused with boiling water, but this way you will only wash away the external signs of spoilage of the product.

If we turn to scientific research, they have long confirmed that even a small moldy speck is just an iceberg of numerous mold spores that have long penetrated deep into the product. It is very difficult to destroy them by drying them in the oven or freezing them, so it is better to immediately get rid of moldy dried apples.

There are many ways to “reanimate” dried moldy apples, but it is always worth remembering that mold fungi can cause joint diseases, bronchial asthma and allergies. Moreover, in order to harm the body, sometimes just smelling a spoiled product is enough.

What varieties of apples to choose for drying

For drying, choose apples of winter, sour, sweet and sour varieties.

For drying, choose apples of winter, sour, sweet and sour varieties

These species have a thick peel, retain their structure longer and are resistant to damage:

The following fruits are not used for drying:

• with damage;
• small;
• overripe;
• with a large seed box.

Expert advice and pest control

Little tricks

To preserve dried apples, experienced harvesters often have their own little secrets that usually “work.”

• Simply treating apple slices before drying will help minimize the risk of developing mold or fungal infections. To do this, sliced ​​fruits are first washed with salt water and then immersed in a vinegar solution (1-2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water) for 5-10 minutes.
• If there are no suitable storage places and the humidity in the room is excessively high, you will have to regularly ventilate and check the drying. Once or twice a month you need to dry the apples in the oven at a temperature of 50-60°C for no more than 45-60 minutes.
• Even under fairly favorable storage conditions, it doesn’t hurt to ventilate the dryer once a month. It is simply poured out of the containers, reviewed, kept in the air for 10-15 minutes and put back.

Fruit moths, mites and other insect pests most often react to the sweet smell emitted by dried fruits. If the container allows aroma to pass through (canvas bags, paper bags or boxes), then it is worth creating the dryest possible conditions. When dried thoroughly, the smell will be barely noticeable and there will be less chance of breeding bugs and other insects.

How to get rid of moths and bugs

If insects still appear, but you noticed it at the initial stage, then there is a chance to save the dried fruits and not throw them away right away. There are several simple methods of control, but all of them are suitable only in the case when the bugs or moths have not yet had time to thoroughly “work” and no more than 10-20% of the fruits are affected.

Calcination

• Pour out the dried fruits and sort through them, discarding any that are obviously damaged.
• Line baking trays with baking paper and distribute dried fruits evenly in one layer.
• Heat the oven to a temperature of 45-60°C. Dry the apples for 30-45 minutes.
• After cooling, carefully dry again and store in a suitable place.

Freezing

• Place insect-infested dried fruit on a cutting board or freezer rack.
• Set the fast freezing mode and the temperature to at least 18-22°C. Soak the apples for 4-5 hours.
• Remove dried fruits, carefully sort whole ones from damaged ones, and rinse in cold water.
• Dry the apples in the oven according to the above method, place them in a suitable container, if possible, laying each layer with wax paper.

Favorable storage conditions for dried apples

In order for apple drying to last as long as possible, the following conditions must be observed:

• good ventilation of the room;
• low humidity;
• air temperature not higher than 10 degrees;
• darkness.

Secrets of preserving dried fruits

In order for dried fruits to delight you with their unsurpassed taste for a long time, you need to know how to properly prepare apples:

• Varieties with dense white flesh are best. Knowledgeable housewives recommend using Grushovka, Titovka and Antonovka.
• Fruits need to be washed well and sorted, removing all spoiled areas.
• For drying, the fruits are cut into circles or thin slices.
• The cooler the place in which the dried apples lie, the better they are preserved. A basement or cool balcony is fine.
• If there are no cool places in your house, then you can store dried fruits placed in a linen bag on the topmost kitchen shelf. They should be located as far as possible from other products. You can also use a windowsill for this, but in this case the dry slices should be placed in a resealable glass jar. Some people even store dried apples in a wardrobe, having first emptied one of its drawers.

Important: Dry apples immediately after slicing to preserve their flavor as much as possible.

How to save apples from insects

Sugar mites, moths, and various bugs are considered big fans of dried apples. If they get to the reserves, the appearance, taste and nutritional value of the drying will be lost forever.

Dried apples are best stored in closed glass containers or plastic containers. For example, three-liter bottles or five-liter plastic bottles made from under water. In a tightly closed container, which is located in a dark place, moths will not be able to start.

Note! Dry mint or basil leaves placed inside a container with dried fruits will repel any living creatures and will not affect the quality of the product in any way.

An interesting way to store dried apples in a bag is as follows:

• If the fabric bag is pre-washed with laundry soap and dried without rinsing, the supplies stored in it will be reliably protected from attacks by “sweet lovers”.
• Instead of soap, you can use a concentrated salt solution.
• Note! This bag should not be rinsed.

With the help of natural remedies, such as bay leaf, oregano, acacia, citrus peel, lavender, you can save the drying from destruction by pests. And to prevent dried fruits from absorbing foreign odors, such “aromatic barriers” must be located outside the container with dried fruits.