The easiest way to obtain sun dried fruits

As you read this piece of the blog article, you might be snacking on a few sun-dried fruits, but have you wondered how this method came to be known? How to sundry fruits? What products can be sun-dried? Is it safe to eat sun-dried fruits?

Throughout the decades, one single problem has been the focus of all people. Food preservation is vital as people did not have enough food for all seasons. With time, other causes and factors called for food preservation: to eliminate food waste, to extend the shelf life of perishable products, and to enjoy the taste of certain items long after their seasons.

Canning and refrigerating are the main two prominent methods. But both ways might affect the nutritional profiles of certain foods. Besides, they both cost a lot.

Sun-drying fruits and vegetables presented a cost-effective, sustainable, and safer way to preserve food. Sun-dried figs might be the most recognizable fruits dealt with through this method, yet all kinds of fruits and vegetables as well can be sun-dried.

How to sundry fruits and vegetables?

Dried fruits now sweep global markets thanks to their nutritional value and the very fact that they offer a practical solution for fruit degeneration.

Unfortunately, their prices keep on soaring. Export procedures, dehydration methods, and products used to preserve the fruits justify the high prices. That’s’ why it might be good to learn how to dry fruits in the sun for yourself.

Growing up on a farm of over twenty plant species, I learned from a young age the techniques and wisdom for sun drying fruits and even vegetables. My most cherished tradition is drying black olives.

As a matter of fact, I have just finished stockpiling a considerable quantity of dried olives for this year. As the harvest season is still underway in some countries and still hasn’t started yet in others, I will be giving you the simplest way of drying olives so that you can taste deliciousness yourself.

The most important thing to remember is that you have to pick the olives when they are fully ripened. If picked before ripening, they will taste bitter. Once you pick what you need, wash them carefully to remove dust and any foreign matters.

Let the olives dry well and then cover them with salt. Pour as much salt as you can and mix well until all olives are covered. Pour them preferably in a leather bag or any other kind of bag if you don’t have one. Seal it so tightly as to leave no free space. Place a cartoon box beneath to absorb the liquid to be squeezed, later on, place the bag on the cartoon box, and finally place some heavy items on top of the bag.

Leave the bag as such for about two to three weeks and then open it for inspection. The olives should lose their half weight and begin to wrinkle. Wash the olives again so that you get rid of the salt, then pour them on a piece of cloth and leave them to dry under the sun.

The period necessary for the drying process depends and varies according to the weather. If you live in an area with high-temperature degrees, then another two weeks in the sun should be enough. However, it might need more time if you are in an area with low-temperature degrees.

Some people might add some salt once the olives are dried, but I prefer to leave them as such since they have already absorbed salt from the first time. Low salt olives are much better for health.

Sun-dried black olives are as versatile as pickled green olives. Enjoy them with whatever dish you prefer. They will add much value and taste to your food.

The easiest way to get sun-dried fruits:

Olives are one fruit that can be dried and enjoyed throughout the year. Actually, a lot of other types can be dried as well. If you are planning on trying this method yourself, then here is the simplest way explained:

The first step obviously is to pick your produce. Make sure you choose the fully ripe products.

Then wash them carefully. You need to eliminate the dust, any foreign matters, and damaged produce as well.

Third, cut the produce in halves and make sure you cut them evenly. Different sizes will end up drying at different times and that would be messy.

Certain fruits such as dates need to have their pits removed. Removing the pits and seeds will help later when eating the dried fruits and they might be used for different purposes.

Fourth, if you would like to preserve the natural color of your produce, then you can soak them in lemon juice for one to two minutes. If you don’t like the flavor of lemon you can skip this phase and your produce will turn out just fine; after all, it’s not about the color, rather about the taste and benefits.

Place your produce on a clean piece of cloth. Make sure it is single-layered so that sun exposure is even. Leave the produce to sundry throughout the day, and bring it inside during the night; do the same the following day for no less than two weeks.

Of course, different veggies and fruits will require different periods to fully dry. You can be the judge of that yourself. Eye examination of the produce will suffice. If you want to be more sure, then cut a piece in half and see if any moisture comes out when you squeeze it.

If you live in an area where usually there is much dust, then you need to cover your fruits with another piece of thin cloth or net.

It is an easy process just as the one to obtain sun-dried figs, which are among the most cherished dried fruits worldwide.

Benefits to sun drying produce:

I often recommend this traditional method because it is both sustainable and healthy. There are a number of reasons why you should consider it yourself.

First of all, there are no chemical preservatives added during sun drying, which means healthier natural food.

Second, it is the cheapest way to preserve food. Electric dehydrators cost a lot and consume a lot of energy. Stoves consume power as well, whereas, sun drying will cost you nothing, but your physical effort. Think of it as a kind of sport.

Third, dried fruits and vegetables are easy to store, and they have a shelf life of one year, way better than fresh produce.

Fourth and most importantly, you will be able to save money since you will not have to buy produce at high prices when it is not the season.

Last, sun-dried fruits are excellent snacks for both adults and kids alike. They maintain a lot of their minerals, vitamins, and fiber, which make them the healthiest snack to opt for.