How to store dogwood for the winter at home

Naturally, fresh dogwood is the most valuable, but not the entire harvest can be consumed at one time. Therefore, housewives use different ways to store it for the winter.

How to store dogwood in the refrigerator

Before sending the dogwood to the refrigerator, the berries must be “divided”: into ripe ones, which have a red tint, and overripe ones: dark burgundy. Because even a fairly elastic product is poorly stored simply in the kitchen.

We must not forget that after picking the berries, they must be placed in a plastic container or bag with holes for ventilation and placed in the refrigerator (the temperature of which should not exceed +5°C). In such conditions they will not deteriorate for 10-12 days.

After one week, the dogwood will become slightly darker, which indicates that fructose has accumulated in it. The taste of such berries is no longer as tart as freshly picked ones.

There is no need to wash the dogwood before placing it in the refrigeration unit. This will extend the shelf life. You can wash the berries immediately before eating.

How to store dogwood in the freezer compartment

Freezer conditions make it possible to preserve maximum vitamin C in dogwood, all microelements and the presence of a tart, rich taste.During freezing, the berries become even more tasty and sweet.

Before putting the healthy product in the freezer, you should carefully sort through it, removing leaves, twigs, insects, etc. The selected dogwood must be washed, laid out on a towel to dry at room temperature, and then poured onto a pallet in one layer. It will take 3 hours for the berries to freeze; after this time, they must be packaged and stored at a temperature of -18°C (or lower) for 12 months.

Dogwood grated with sugar is also frozen. The finished puree should be placed in plastic trays and placed in the freezer. The shelf life of such a product is up to six months (at a temperature of -18°C and below).

Several options for storing dogwood for the winter

Dogwood can also be stored well in winter if you dry it (in this form it can be stored for up to 1 year), wither (shelf life – 1 year) or sprinkle it with sugar (it can be stored for up to six months). Each housewife chooses the method that she likes best. But, the main thing is that all the options are very “tasty”.

See video: Drying dogwood in an electric dryer.

How to Dry Dogwood Using Salt

In addition, dogwood can be prepared for the winter in the form compotes, jam, jam, jam or marshmallows. Many lovers of homemade alcoholic drinks use dogwood as the main ingredient for their aromatic drinks.

It doesn’t matter which method to choose, the only main thing is to correctly observe all the nuances necessary for storing dogwood berries for the winter and take into account the preferences of the majority of family members.