Drying black currants - how to properly dry currants at home

Proper drying of black currants at home depends on following several rules, in particular, when to pick the berries, how to prepare them for the drying process and how to choose a drying method. Not only berries are dried, but also currant leaves, from which you can brew aromatic and tasty tea on cold winter evenings.

There are several methods for drying currants: in the microwave, in the oven, in an electric dryer, in air.

Basic rules for preparing and drying methods for currants

1. Currant berries should be picked only on a sunny day, after the morning dew has disappeared from them.
2. Select only ripe and whole berries for drying.
3. Before the drying process, the berries should be thoroughly washed and damaged fruits should be selected.

Now that the currants are prepared for the drying process, professionals recommend pouring them onto kitchen towels and drying them gently with a paper towel.

Microwave drying

Using a microwave oven, you can significantly save time in the berry drying process and, as a result, get beautiful and dry currants. This method is good if you need to quickly dry a small amount of berries.

Place the prepared berries in one layer on a cotton napkin previously placed on a plate.

Cover the top of the berries with another napkin. Drying blackcurrants in the microwave means setting the power to 200 W. Then you need to turn on the microwave for 5 minutes. Open the microwave door and check the berries for doneness. If you have large berries, you will need to repeat the drying procedure. But now, you need to check the readiness of the currants every 30 seconds and stir the berries. This will ensure even drying.

Oven drying

To speed up the process of drying currants in the oven, it is advisable to dry the initially sorted and washed berries in the open air, but not in direct sunlight.

If this is not possible, then you can immediately begin the process in the oven.

Line a baking sheet with 2 layers of parchment paper or food foil and carefully place the berries in one layer.

Preheat oven to 45°C and place the baking sheet in the oven for 1 hour. During this time, the currants should wilt a little.

Let the berries cool and put them back in the oven. This time the temperature in the chamber should be 70°WITH.

Drying blackcurrants in the oven generally takes no more than 3 hours, depending on the size of the berries.

Drying in an electric dryer

Drying currants in an electric dryer significantly speeds up the process, and as a result gives well-dried berries that housewives can use all winter for baking, making puddings, ice cream, etc.

First you need to turn on the electric dryer, setting the temperature to 50-55°WITH.

Place properly prepared berries in one layer on the dryer trays and after 10 minutes place them in the electric dryer.

And now the detailed stages of drying.

• after 7 hours, the berries will acquire a burgundy-brown color,
• after 16 hours their color will change to dark red,
• 24 hours after drying begins, the currants will begin to wrinkle.
• The drying process will end 50 hours from the moment the pallets are loaded into the electric dryer.

Important! The drying time may vary for your dryer; it is best to select it experimentally.

We invite you to watch the video instructions that will help you properly dry blackcurrants in an electric dryer at home.

Air drying berries

The good old method of drying under the sun is still used by some housewives today. But so that your dried fruits can preserve the maximum of vitamins and nutrients, experts recommend using a mixed method - several days in the sun, and then in the oven.

To properly approach the drying process, you need to prepare wooden trays. Line with parchment paper and arrange the berries in an even layer.

Take the pallets to the balcony or attic and cover the berries with a layer of gauze.

Stir the berries on the tray periodically.

Once the berries are well dried, complete the process in the oven, preheating it to 55°C. In 5 hours, your berries will be ready to be stored for the whole winter.

Storing dried currants

You can store dry currants in bags made of thick fabric, or in glass containers tightly closed with lids.