Pomegranate is a delicious and healthy fruit, the skins of which have many medicinal properties. It is usually customary to throw them away. The peel is rich in vitamins and minerals. Its beneficial properties are used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. It is easy to make dried pomegranate at home if you know the specifics and methods of drying it.
Peel drying specifics
If the family loves pomegranate, and there is enough peel from it, you can start drying. Drying pomegranate peels involves several steps:
- Selection of pomegranate fruits. Medium sized pomegranates should be fresh and well ripe. The color of the skins is deep red without spots.
- Preparation for drying - the fruits are thoroughly washed under hot running water and dried to dryness with a napkin or towel.
- Separation of the peel from the grains. Do it by hand or cut it off with a knife. They do it carefully so that the grains remain intact. The loose soft part cannot be dried; it must be removed. Only dyed peels are used for drying.
- The peeled crusts are cut into thin strips or cubes. You can skip this and dry them in the same form as they were after cleaning. The raw material is ready for drying.
The quality of the dried raw material depends on the quality of the pomegranate.
Drying methods for crusts
When drying pomegranate peels, use different methods. To do this, use from household appliances:
- oven;
- electric dryer;
In addition to appliances, they are dried in the sun, on the windowsill and over the stove.
In the oven
The process of preparing dried pomegranate peels is often carried out in both electric and gas ovens. This can be done in the following way:
- Prepare the peel for drying - wash, dry, peel and chop.
- Heat the oven to 60 ° C.
- Place the baking sheet with the spread crusts in the oven for 1-2 hours. Sometimes stir and watch so as not to dry out.
Drying in the oven is simple and quick not only for pomegranates, but also for peppers, cabbage and eggplants. Does not require time and attention.
In the dryer
Drying the peel is not difficult in an electric dryer, the VOLTERA 1000 Lux is best suited for this. With as many as 5 pallets, it can simultaneously dry an impressive amount of product.
Washed, dried and peeled from loose pulp and grains of the crust are laid out on the grates of the electrical appliance. The temperature is set at 50 ° C. For uniform heating and faster drying, the grates are periodically interchanged with each other. Dried skins give off a crunch when pressed and break easily. Similarly, you can dry zucchini in this dryer and prepare candied pumpkin sugars.
Cooking in the dryer does not cause much trouble for the hostess, the method is quick and not troublesome. The time depends on the thickness and size of the crusts.
In the sun
Harvesting dried pomegranate peels can be done using direct sunlight. This can be done on a balcony or loggia. Trays with laid out raw materials must be covered with a light cloth; gauze is most often used for this purpose. Do not forget to stir periodically. Drying lasts about 5-6 days, you can leave the trays to dry for a whole week.
It's a good idea to use the method in hot summer months. In wet, rainy weather, the trays are brought into the room so that the peel does not become moldy. You can dry asparagus and melon in a similar way.
On the windowsill
You can dry the pomegranate peel on the windowsill:
- The previously washed, dried and peeled crusts are cut.
- Spread out evenly on a napkin and cover with gauze.
- Dried within a week.
The window sill is chosen with a south-facing direction.
With the window open in the summer, the process accelerates. In winter, heating radiators help. They are usually located under windowsills and provide additional heat to speed up the process.
Harvesting pomegranate peels on the windowsill is not a very convenient and not entirely hygienic process.
Over the oven
When the oven is on, the surface of the stove can be used to prepare useful pomegranate peels for future use. The warmth of the oven while cooking and baking in it helps dry the skin. This requires:
- Prepare the pomegranate rind first.
- Put them on a dish or baking sheet in one layer.
- Place the slabs on a warm surface until the raw materials dry.
- Switch on the hood, if available. Air circulation and heat help the raw materials dry faster.
This method of harvesting pomegranate peel for future use is very convenient. Does not require additional investment of time and attention.
Dried pomegranate peel does not lose its beneficial properties for 3 years if necessary conditions are created. Dried blanks are stored in a thick paper bag in a dry place, in a cool place with a temperature of 15-25 ° C. Often dried raw materials are ground to a powdery state using a coffee grinder or blender. You can use a stupa. Pomegranate powder is stored in a glass jar under a tight lid.
Dried grant application
Regardless of the method chosen, a medicinal product is obtained from the dried peel. The use of grant crusts is very diverse, they are used to prepare medicinal tea for the prevention of colds, with the help of infusions and decoctions, they treat intestinal infections, strengthen the immune system and cleanse the human body. In addition to pomegranate, dried garlic and beets have healing properties.