Drying of fruit and vegetables
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Drying of fruit and vegetables
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General procedure for fruits:
- Select firm ripe fruit
- Wash the fruits in clean water
- Peel and remove damaged and discoloured parts
- Slice/cut into thin uniform slices or cubes
- Pre-treat with lemon juice or sugar solution
- Spread on trays and load into the dryer
- Control the temperature by opening the dryer door
- Pack the dried product in moisture-proof packs
- Store in a cool, dark, dry, well-ventilated place
Most fruits have natural acids and sugars which are preservatives therefore moisture content of about 20% i.e. leathery and springy dry (not brittle) is good for storage. This is however dependent on the fruit or vegetable. After the correct stage of dryness is achieved the product should be removed from the dryer parked and stored in a dry, dark store.
Vegetables: Vegetables like tomatoes, kales, cowpeas leaves, cabbages and pumpkin leaves can be dried. Tender healthy vegetables are selected for drying. To prepare the vegetables for drying, wash and remove old and damaged parts and then chop/slice for drying.
Blanching A solution of water and salt is prepared (varying in strength depending on products) and boiled. The vegetables for drying are dipped into the hot boiled saline solution in a piece of clean cloth (or basket). Kale, other hard leafy vegetables and cabbages should be dipped in the hot boiling solution for 3 minutes while spinach and soft leafy vegetables require only 2 minutes. To avoid overcooking, boil the blanching water before dipping the vegetables. Dip the vegetables in cold water immediately after removing them from the boiled saline solution to prevent further cooking. After blanching the vegetables are spread on trays and dried, then parked and stored in dry, dark store. Blanching is carried out to improve the quality by inactivating the enzymes, reducing the microorganisms, softening the vegetables, and preserve the natural colour of the green vegetables when they are dried.
NB: Some spices like garlic, coriander (dhania) and parsley should not be blanched.
Personal hygiene:
- Avoid rings, bangles and nail polish during processing.
- Wash hands carefully with soap and running water.
- Do not be involved in processing when you are sick and/or when having open wounds.
- Maintain personal cleanliness including body and clothes.
- Keep nails short and clean.
Cleanliness of equipment and utensils
The equipment and utensils should be properly cleaned before and after use:
- Scrub wooden equipment, e.g. tables and benches, with soap water and brushes and then rinse thoroughly.
- Dry the utensils on a dish rack or wipe them dry with a clean cloth and store them in a dust free place
Dried mangoes slices
Ingredients:
- Mangoes
- Lemon juice
- Water
Method:
1. Select and weigh hard ripe fresh mangoes.
2. Wash the fruits thoroughly in clean water.
3. Peel the mangoes.
4. Slice the peeled fruits into thin uniform slices.
5. Prepare lemon juice/water solution in the ratio of 1 part lemon juice to 20 parts of water.
6. Deep the mango slices in this solution then arrange them on the trays (in single layers).
7. Load the trays in the dryer (the dryer should be facing the sun).
8. Shift the trays in the dryer occasionally until the slices are dry.
9. Unload the dryer for sorting and packaging of the dried slices.
10. Pack the dried slices into moisture proof containers and store in a cool, dry dark place.
Dried bananas
Ingredients:
- Hard ripe bananas.
- Lemon juice
- Water
Method:
1. Peel the bananas.
2. Cut thin longitudinal slices.
3. Dip the slices in the diluted lemon juice (1 part lemon juice: 20 parts water). This step can be avoided if product is meant for young children.
4. Arrange the slices in single layers on the trays.
5. Load the trays into the dryer.
6. Shift the trays occasionally until the slices are dry.
7. Unload the dryer.
8. Pack the dried bananas into moisture proof containers and store in a cool, dark place.