How to properly dry grapes for the winter - preparing raisins at home

We must pay tribute - raisins are considered the most popular delicacy all over the world. It is added to baking creams, dough, salads... And what flavor does raisins give to meat? Therefore, it occupies a place of honor in cooking. It is also important that properly dried grapes are able to retain all microelements and 80% of vitamins. It is recommended for diseases of the cardiovascular system, it is an excellent helper for anemia, copes well with apathy and improves vision. But you need to know how to dry it correctly so that it has all the properties described above and can retain all the beneficial substances in its composition.

How to dry grapes at home

Tasty, healthy and aromatic raisins can be easily prepared at home. For this purpose, you can use several methods: under the sun, in the oven, in an electric dryer, in the shade.

It is important to know! If you want to prepare homemade sultanas for the winter, you should prepare seedless grape varieties.Small-seeded varieties are ideal for making homemade aromatic raisins.

Under the sun

The simplest and long-proven method is drying grapes under the sun. It is ideal for those who have this healthy berry growing on their property.

Prepare a thick lattice or piece of plywood and place the berries in a single layer.

Cover with a layer of gauze on top - it will protect the berries from a sudden gust of wind, which often spoils us on autumn days.

Place the grapes in the sun and dry them until they turn a dark amber color with a waxy tint. Ready raisins should be soft.

In the oven

Before you start drying grapes in the oven, carefully select whole and fleshy berries with thick skins.

Place them on a baking sheet and place in the oven preheated to 55°WITH.

Periodically open the oven door to evaporate moisture and stir the berries on the baking sheet.

To get juicy raisins, it is recommended to turn the oven off/on several times. The duration of the process is 2-3 days, depending on the size of the berries and the grape variety.

The last day to dry grapes at a temperature of 35°WITH.

In an electric dryer

The duration of the process of drying grapes in an electric dryer is reduced to 12 hours.

Gently rinse the grapes under running water. Try not to damage the integrity of their skins so that the juice does not leak out during the cooking process.

Dry the berries with a towel and place them on electric dryer trays in one layer.

Dry the grapes with “intermissions” - 3 hours drying, 2 hours rest.

As a result, you will get beautiful amber-colored dried fruits.

Boiling water or lye

An interesting method of drying grapes, which will allow you to present delicious sultanas or aromatic raisins, will reduce cooking time and make the process itself more interesting.

Pour boiling water or an alkaline solution over freshly selected whole grapes.

Immediately rinse the berries with cold water.

Spread in one layer and place in the shade to dry. After 3 days, you will have dried berries, which you can sprinkle with sugar and put in jars.

But if you mix them and leave them for another 3-4 days, you will get raisins - that long-awaited and delicious dried fruit that you have been dreaming of.

It is often practiced to dry whole bunches of grapes in the shade. To do this, they are hung on pre-tensioned ropes and dried in the shade until fully prepared.

How to properly store dried grapes

Grapes should be stored in a dark and dry place. Linen bags or parchment envelopes are ideal as storage containers.

Watch a video about drying grapes in an electric dryer at home.