DRIED FRUIT
Oh, the quiet magic of dried fruit — nature’s sweet little time travelers! Though they may surrender a whisper of their nutrients in the drying process, what remains is a burst of goodness ready to charm any nibble, salad, or spoonful of something splendid.
And here’s a secret fluttered on the wind: nearly every fruit under the sun can be gently dried and tucked away for another day. It’s preservation with a wink and a twirl.
INGREDIENTS
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Any fruit of choice. That’s it! No frills, no fuss — just the fruit in its finest, simplest form.
HOW TO DRY FRUIT
Before you begin, take a moment to admire your fruit — their colours, their shapes, the little freckles of ripeness. Now, let’s begin the gentle transformation…
Slice with intention.
Try to keep your slices uniform so they dry at the same dreamy pace. I use a mandolin to keep things neat and lovely. Tiny fruits — berries and such — can be left whole in all their glory.
About those pips and pits...
If I’m being honest, I rarely bother removing them unless they’re big and bossy. Most stones (like in cherries) tend to pop out on their own during drying. Lazy? Perhaps. Efficient? Absolutely.
Give them space to breathe.
Lay your fruity slices on your dehydrator trays or racks like they’re sunbathing — plenty of elbow room, no crowding, no pushing.
A touch of warmth — not too hot.
Every fruit has its own preferred temperature, but I like to keep things around 50°C (122°F). Too hot, and the outside might toughen before the inside has had its moment — a one-way ticket to spoilage.
Time is a whimsical thing.
Drying time depends on humidity, fruit type, and sheer stubbornness. Rainy weather means longer waits, so check your weather forecast or use a humidity monitor if you're feeling scientific.
Condition and store with care.
Once your fruits are dried and cooled, let them rest in a jar for a day or two — this lets moisture settle evenly. I keep my jars in a cool, dry nook away from sunlight, and I give them a friendly shake now and then. If any pieces start sticking together, back into the dehydrator they go!