Dried bird cherry: all methods of drying at home - how to dry bird cherry for the winter

When and how to collect bird cherry

The collection of bird cherry berries begins at the end of July and ends in August, as they ripen. This should be done in dry sunny weather, preferably in the morning, immediately after the dew has disappeared.

Bird cherry is collected in clusters, cutting off the branches with scissors or tearing them off with your hands. You should not wash the berries before drying. After collection, you need to start drying no earlier than 4 to 5 hours later.

Bird cherry blossoms are harvested in May. The twigs should be collected at a time when the petals have not yet fallen, that is, in the midst of flowering.

The shoots and bark of the plant are collected in April, before the tree blooms. The leaves, together with young tender branches, are cut with scissors or pruning shears, and the bark with a knife.

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How to dry bird cherry at home

Natural way of drying

There are different ways to dry different parts of bird cherry. The most popular drying is without the use of heating devices: in the air or in the sun. The fruits are dried immediately on the branch, and the stalk is removed from the dried product.

Bird cherry berries are placed on trays lined with clean paper or thick cloth. At the same time, it is strictly forbidden to use newspaper sheets to avoid toxic printing ink becoming absorbed into the product. It is best to use sieves or grates. You can make them yourself by covering a wooden frame with mosquito netting.

Containers with berries are exposed to the sun and dried until completely dry. At night, the gratings should be brought indoors so that the fruits do not become damp from the morning dew. Drying in the hot sun takes about a couple of weeks.

If weather conditions do not allow drying the berries in direct sunlight, they can be dried in a well-ventilated area. Drying this way will take a little longer.

Bird cherry blossom is dried in the shade under a canopy. To protect it from insects, the top of the pallets is covered with gauze cloth.

The leaves are dried in a dark, dry place with good ventilation. To prevent the greens from rotting, they are turned and turned 3 times a day.

Bird cherry bark is dried at room temperature for 10 - 14 days.

Drying bird cherry in the oven

The fruits are spread evenly on baking sheets in one layer. It is best to place baking paper under the berries. The oven heating temperature in the first 3 hours should not exceed 40 degrees. You can finish drying the bird cherry at a temperature raised to 60–65. To prevent the berries from burning, they need to be stirred periodically.

The most important rule for drying in the oven: the door should be slightly open. This will allow the air inside to circulate.

The leaves can be dried in the same way, only the temperature during the entire drying procedure should be kept at the same level - 35 - 40 degrees. Bird cherry bark is dried in the same way as leaves.

The total drying time for bird cherry is from 5 to 15 hours.

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How to determine product readiness

Well-dried berries are crumbly, do not stick to your hands and do not release juice when squeezed. If a whitish or reddish coating appears in the folds of the fruit, then do not be alarmed. This is simply a sign of sugar crystallization during drying.

Well-dried leaves are green in color and easily crumble into powder when rubbed between your fingers.

Bird cherry bark is brittle and brittle after drying.

How to store dried bird cherry

The storage area must be dry. The containers can be glass or plastic jars with a sealed lid, as well as paper bags, cardboard boxes or bags made of natural fabric.

The shelf life of dried bird cherry is from 3 to 5 years.