How to store dried fruit at home: 6 basic rules

It is important not only to choose dried fruit, but also to keep them.

Save useful properties, fresh taste and aroma of dried fruit can be, certain conditions are met. For information on how to store dried fruit at home, and I'll tell you.

Long-term storage: 6 Rules

Stocks of dried fruit do not lose their quality, if you follow the simple rules of storage.

Rule 1: Create conditions

Dry and cool storage room - the best place for the dried fruits and berries.

Enemies of dried fruits - heat, humidity and sunlight. Therefore, store them properly:

• In the cool. Maximum temperature - not above 15 degrees. After all, even at 17 there is a risk of reproduction of pests and mold.
• The dryness. Indoor humidity should be 65%. However, this condition does not matter if the products are vacuum-packed.
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• In the absence of light. Dried fruit quickly darken in the sun.

Rule 2: Keep each type separately

Different types kept separate from each other.

Do not mix different fruitsEven if you plan to cook a mixture of stewed fruit:

• Each fruit after drying has a certain moisture index. And when you combine the dry form of wet, the first shelf life will be reduced by half.

If you want to mix dried fruits, dry them in the oven or dryer to a moisture equalization index.

• Mixed fruit flavor. If you store dried apricots and prunes together, apricots lose flavor and smells of prunes.

There is an exception to the rule: the raisins and apricots can be stored in one container.

Rule 3: Choose a suitable container for storage

The choice of container or bag for dried fruit affects the shelf-life:

Picture	What kept drying
	In glass jars. One can see the contents of the banks - it is easy to check the safety of drying quality. Once a week, remove the cover for the fresh air and condensate elimination.
	The wooden forms. Cover the container with a tight lid to prevent entry of insects. The storage room should be as dry as wood quickly absorbs moisture.
	The ceramic jars with metal tightening. Once a week, remove the hermetic tightness to the air. Bank easy to clean, does not absorb odors.
	The plastic containers with air access. The container is suitable for placement in a refrigerator and is impervious to moisture. It is easy to allow air access - just slide the latch. Plastic absorbs odors, however, do not use the same container for different drying.
	In canvas or cotton bags. It provides a complete air exchange and the absence of condensation. Moisture actively penetrates the tissue, stimulating the development of mold. Therefore, place the bags in a dry storage room. Carefully place the container in a pouch with salt to salt absorb excess moisture.
	The pot with a vacuum system (Cover and the pump). In times longer retains the suitability of dried fruits and their quality. Forms airless, devoid of microbial environment in the bank. Price reusable system - 250 rubles. Instruction is simple: fit the cover, insert the pump, and deflate the air.

Rule 4: Observe the shelf life

Sign the preform to not expired products.

The shelf life of dried fruits:

• With high moisture index (apricots, prunes and dates, figs) - up to half a year.
• With a low index (raisins, cherry, peach) - up to a year.

Rule 5: protect from insects

Pests destroying stocks of dried fruits and berries - sugar mite, bugs, moths. Provide natural protection from intruders.

Photos means to protect the dried fruit from insects	application
	Means 1: vinegar. Having defined the place where to store dry fruits, treat its water-vinegar solution (1: 1). After drying of surfaces and containers smell of vinegar evaporate.
	Means 2: mint. Dry mint for a long time protects against mold and pests. Fill the bag with mint leaves and hang close to the dried fruit.
	Means 3: soap To not start mol, near the reserves put polkuska of natural soaps. The tool is not suitable if you store food in pouches. Soap will extend to them the pungent smell.

Rule 6: check stocks

From time to time to sort the stocks with his own hands:

• Throw away spoiled.
• Damp - dry it in the oven at the lowest temperature with the door open.

Features storage of various dried fruits

Refer to the table indicating the content of water per 100 g product.

Storage of dried fruits at home (process selection) depends on the water content of the dried fruit or berries, i.e. the humidity index.

Dried apricots are a long time kept in the refrigerator.

The optimal method of storing dry fruits with high water content (figs, prunes) - in the vegetable department of a refrigerator. In a warm room, they quickly deteriorate.

A way to store dried apricots in the home:

• product packagi in a sealed container.
• Every 2 weeks the safety check. At the same time will ensure the access of air.
• Periodically wash and dry container for storage.

Shelf life in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

Dried apples require good ventilation.

When storing the drying house the main thing that was fresh air. For products with water to 20% of the index does not need sealing container. Instead of the lid, use paper or put in bags.

Summer be stored on the balcony, only to take care of dried fruit from moisture and sunlight.

Output

Now that you know how and what to store dried fruit at home, you will be able to regularly consume these vitamin products. Check out the video in this article, containing visual references. And ask your questions in the comments.