Features of drying orange for decoration and food
Citrus fruits are consumed not only fresh. Dried oranges are also great as an edible product. They are also used for decoration. Fruit in this form is stored for a long time. There are several ways to dry at home, and each has its own characteristics. No special skills are required for this.
Features of drying orange for decoration and food
Citrus preparation
To dry an orange, choose a ripe fruit of a bright color, preferably seedless. The pulp should be smooth inside. The size is different.
Citrus should be well rinsed under running water and dried. Then it is cut into rings about 5 mm thick. It is better that the slicing is the same, then the slices will dry evenly. If the mugs are thinner than the specified size, they will end up being transparent. Sometimes whole fruits are used as decoration, then cuts are made on them around the entire circumference.
To preserve the color, the slices are soaked in a solution of lemon juice (1 citrus per 1 liter of water). Leave for 20 minutes. After that, the slices are removed and blotted with a napkin. This accelerates the evaporation of moisture.
For decor
Dried oranges refresh the interior, create a certain atmosphere in the house. DIY jewelry is used for different purposes:
- for floristic compositions - combined with lemon and lime peels, cinnamon sticks;
- for the New Year tree, along with the star spices of anise and star anise;
- for bathroom decor - peeled rings are suitable;
- for Christmas wreaths, New Year's candlesticks;
- for filling vases;
- for scrapbooking - decorate photo albums, handmade notebooks;
- for panels - combine with other fruits.
The combination of different colors looks beautiful on the shelves. When making crafts, you should be careful, since the slices are fragile and break easily. To choose a more comfortable type of drying, get acquainted with their features.
In the oven
The cut rings are laid out on a deck covered with parchment.
They must not touch to prevent sticking. The temperature in the oven is set at 100 ° C-120 ° C. Put fruit in it. The door is slightly opened to allow air circulation.
The process is constantly monitored. This prevents overdrying and burning. To dry oranges for decoration in this way, it takes 4 to 8 hours, depending on the set temperature and the thickness of the slices. Periodically, the rings are wrapped on the other side. If whole citrus fruits are placed in the oven, the time required for manipulation is about 10 hours.
If you do not dry the fruit, they will rot after a while. Correctly dried orange slices are determined by the following criteria:
- rustling sound;
- fragile pulp.
The mugs are also sprinkled with powdered sugar, then a stained glass effect is obtained. The caramel crystallizes and gives the citrus a glow. In this case, it is worth watching the fruit, since the sugar often burns.
In an electric dryer
In the electric dryer, the rings are deformed
A longer method is in an electric dryer. The device has several modes and helps to dry oranges within 18-24 hours.
You should not use an electric dryer if you want to get perfectly even mugs as a result. With this type of drying, the rings are deformed.
The device is heated to a temperature of 70 ° C (maximum). The cut slices are placed on pallets, which are changed every 1.5 hours (to ensure even drying). It will take 10 to 12 hours to dry citrus fruits in an electric dryer.
In the microwave
The plate is covered with parchment, citrus slices are laid out. When drying in the microwave, it is better to use sets of 30 seconds to monitor the state of the slicing.
On battery
In winter, it is better to dry oranges for decoration using heating devices. First, they equip a special structure. For this:
- take dense corrugated cardboard;
- cut out blanks measuring 30 * 10 cm and 10 * 2 cm (2 each);
- large parts are pierced with an awl, holes should be frequently placed;
- small strips are glued along the edges;
- lay out the sliced fruit rings;
- clamp with clothespins or other improvised means so that the citrus does not fall out.
The dryer is placed on a battery. Keep it for about 3-4 days. The method is popular because it has the following positive aspects:
- the circles are perfectly even;
- a large number of dried fruits at the same time;
- no risk of overdrying.
If it is hot outside, the structure is placed on a windowsill, where it will be exposed to the sun. Such a dryer will last a long time if you blot the slices well with a paper towel before use.
On air
Cover a flat dish with parchment, lay out the slices. In apartment conditions, they are placed on the balcony. In private houses they are taken out into the street. Depending on the dryness of the air, citrus fruits are left for 1-3 days.
For food
Dried orange is healthy
Dried orange slices are also used in cooking, because they are tasty and healthy. Their calorie content is only 301 kcal per 100 g of product. The energy value is as follows:
- proteins - 2 g;
- fats - 1 g;
- carbohydrates - 71 g.
Dried fruits add:
- when stewing meat;
- for tea;
- in mulled wine;
- in a mixture of spices.
Dried citruses are especially tasty in caramel, in chocolate. When making chips, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon is often added. In addition to orange slices, a peel is also used for drying, which is called a zest.
Drying methods
You can dry oranges at home for food in the same ways as for decor. The sugaring method is also often used. It takes more time and effort to implement it, but as a result, the slices are much tastier. Culinary experts use this recipe:
- 3 oranges fall asleep 4 tbsp. sugar, add 1 tbsp. water.
- Boil or pour boiling water for a few minutes to remove the bitterness.
- After that, the slices are placed in a vessel with cold water for 2 days, periodically changing the water.
- Put the soaked rings tightly in a saucepan, pour boiling sugar syrup, leave for 6 hours.
- Then boil for 5 minutes. over low heat and leave for another 12 hours. The procedure is repeated 3 times.
- The slices are dried by the above methods.
Conclusion
Decorating your home and adding bright colors to it takes dried orange slices and a little imagination. Such crafts will last for several months and will delight you with their appearance and aroma.
Dried citrus fruits are a good alternative to fresh fruits, since almost all the vitamin composition is preserved during the drying process. They are much healthier than cookies and sweets.