Walnut collection storage drying. How can walnuts be dried with a dryer and oven? How to dry walnuts
More and more often, walnuts can be found in summer cottages. The tree bears fruit well even in the conditions of the Middle Lane, therefore it has become very popular. But, by and large, the nut is still a curiosity. Therefore, some gardeners dry and store the harvested nuts incorrectly. As a result, most of it rots in the first 2-3 months.
Learn how to dry properly in this article. walnuts to keep them for as long as possible. You will also learn the most popular ways to store nuts in shell and without it.
How to choose the best time and when to pick walnuts
Mostly the harvest is harvested:
- In the end of August... In this case, the fruits will need to ripen in a cool dry place for another couple of weeks.
- In the last days of September - early October... These fruits will ripen on the tree and simply need to be shaken off and picked on the ground.
The choice of the period for picking nuts, firstly, depends on the variety. Early ripe varieties are harvested in late August - early September. Late ripening - closer to October. Secondly, it is important to consider the growing conditions. If your garden is regularly visited by birds or squirrels, then the fruits will have to ripen indoors. Otherwise, you simply will not see the harvest.
REFERENCE. More useful are nuts ripened on a tree. Plus, they last longer.
Ripe nuts on the tree
When harvesting, you need to focus on the main signs of ripening:
- The shell is cracked.
- The shell became yellowish and slightly loose to the touch.
- The leaves on the tree itself turned yellow.
Don't worry if you pick the nuts a little unripe. They will lie down for 1-2 weeks and mature. Over time, you will learn to tell by eye that it's time to harvest.
ADVICE. Collect and peel nuts with gloves, otherwise your hands will brown.
How to peel green peels?
If the fruits are well ripe, then peeling them from the peel will not be difficult. It will already be cracked. You just need to get out the nut and carefully remove the adhering pieces of the peel.
If the outer shell is solid, then it must be cut off with a knife.
Some people crush the fruit with their feet or with a special crusher to break the peel. But with this method, it is very easy to damage the nut itself. So it's safer to use a knife.
How to dry walnuts
Drying nuts outdoors
The harvested fruits are placed on drying so that the kernels become crispy. The most affordable and obvious way is to dry the nuts outdoors. But usually everything is complicated by the fact that in the fall there are rarely several days in a row without rain. This is especially typical for the Middle Strip and the Moscow region. Then you will have to dry the crop in a different way.
Drying in the fresh air
In order for the nuts to dry well, sunny weather should stand for about 3-5 days. Peeled from the outer green peel, the nuts are laid out on a cloth. It can be a tarp or several sacks folded side by side. It is advised to do only one layer so that everything dries better.
To protect your crops from possible rainfall, you can spread them out under a canopy.
How to dry fruits in the oven
If you decide to dry the nuts in the oven, then first you need to properly prepare them. To do this, the nuts are thoroughly washed, wiped off moisture with a cloth and sorted by size. Sorting is necessary because nuts of different sizes dry at different times.
The oven should be lightly preheated. The optimum temperature is 40-45 degrees. Drying time 2.5 - 3 hours. Exceeding the specified time is not advised, since the taste of the kernels is lost.
Keep the oven door slightly ajar for the entire 3 hours.
After the specified time has elapsed, the oven must be preheated to 70 degrees and the nuts must be kept in it for about half an hour. After that, the baking sheet is taken out of the oven and set to cool.
IMPORTANT! Be sure to use gloves or an oven mitt. The nutshells will be very hot and may burn.
Using an electric dryer
Drying nuts in an electric dryer
The fruits are laid out in sections of an electric dryer. It is not advised to put a lot of nuts at once. So the drying will be delayed, or you will have to repeat the procedure altogether.
The optimum temperature is 40 degrees. The whole process will last approximately 4.5 - 5 hours.
IMPORTANT! When using an electric dryer, follow the instructions for the device. This way you will not spoil the nuts or break the appliance itself.
Drying nuts in the attic
What to do if there is no electric dryer or oven at the dacha, and you don't want to take a few bags full of nuts with you? Then you can leave the fruits to dry in the attic.
To do this, they are thoroughly washed and laid out on grates, pallets, in boxes, etc. After about 10-15 days, the nuts will dry out and can be collected. Leave the attic door ajar to keep the fruit from rotting and moldy during these 2 weeks. This will allow fresh air to flow in, and the harvested crop will not deteriorate.
How to dry only kernels without shells
Dried walnut kernels
You can also dry only the kernels. The advantages of this method are clear. More nuts can be dried.
To dry the kernels, they most often use an oven preheated to 40 degrees. Previously, the kernels are removed from the shell, cleaned and laid out on a baking sheet. No need to wash the nucleoli!
Please note that if the kernels become of a different color and smell unpleasant, they must be thrown away. They are gone.
A longer way is drying in boxes and on trays. You will spend 3-4 days on the whole process.
How to tell if your nuts are dry
Take one nut, crack it, and taste the kernel. If it is still raw, then the fruits must be dried. Cooked nuts are dry, brittle, thin-skinned, crispy.
IMPORTANT! The nucleoli should not be left undried. Otherwise, they will deteriorate. Mold will form on them.
Storing walnuts with shells at home
The dried nuts must be prepared for storage. Someone keeps them without taking them out of the shell, while someone leaves only the kernels. There is no right way. You can do this and that. Experienced gardeners advise using different methods to distribute the crop. Part of it is to be laid for long-term storage, part to be left "for food", etc.
INTERESTING. The walnut is preserved for a very long time. At a temperature of about 10 degrees in a dry place, the fruits in the shell can lie for a year and a half.
In bags
Storing nuts in a bag The easiest way to preserve your crop is to put everything in a bag. Do not forget to just sort out the nuts, remove the rotten ones and those with cracked shells. At a temperature of 20 - 22 degrees, the shelf life in a bag is about six months. At temperatures up to 15 degrees - a year.
In salt
Sometimes the fruits are stored in salt. The advantage of this method is that the salt draws in all the moisture, and the nuts themselves always remain dry.
To store in this way, you will need a glass jar or earthenware jug. A mixture of salt and dry wood chips is poured into the bottom (only salt can be used). Then the nuts are laid and the above mixture is poured. Sprinkle on top with a layer of salt and cover with a lid.
Keep the jar or jug in the dark and cool.
In special boxes
Boxes and boxes made of cardboard can be used. This method is convenient if you plan to use nuts in the near future for cooking or preparing them for sale.
How to store peeled nuts
Peeled nuts are less durable. They do not need to be ground or cut. Store whole kernels.
Using the freezing method
Kernels can be frozen. They will retain their beneficial properties and taste throughout the year.
Dry seaming
This is one of the most durable ways. Peeled kernels can be stored for several years.
First, the nuts must be sterilized. This is usually done in a microwave or water bath.
First, the nucleoli are poured into jars a couple of centimeters below the neck. Then they are placed in the microwave for 3 minutes at minimum power. Then the jar is taken out, rolled up with a lid and turned over.
When the jar cools down, it is moved to the closet or cellar. The main thing is to keep it dry and cool.
If you are sterilizing a jar in a "water bath", then you need:
- Put a rag on the bottom of the pan, pour water over it.
- Put jars of nuts.
- To boil water.
- Boil the jars in water for an hour and a half.
This method takes longer, but not everyone has a microwave oven that can fit a 3-liter jar.
Storage in a dry jar
Storing kernels in a jar
This is the most short-lived way. You need to use the nucleoli within a few weeks. Usually, nuts are left in cans for food.
How to keep in the refrigerator
Peeled kernels are placed in bags. Best used with a Zippo clasp. It is also very important to suck out all the air. Then the fruits will last longer (up to 9 months). By the way, you can also put nuts in the shell in the refrigerator. They are able to lie for 2 years.
We store in honey
In honey, nuts do not spoil for 2 years. But they can be used for the most part for confectionery purposes. The kernels are poured into a jar and poured with honey in a 1 to 1 ratio.
Conclusion
Drying nuts is a simple process that only takes time and patience from you. If you are in no hurry and follow all the rules of drying and storage, then your crop will be stored for many months and even years.
Autumn is the time to collect nuts. In our latitudes, they are most common. They are well suited for preparing various dishes, baking,. But this is a very fruitful type of nuts. They usually cannot be used without the need for storage. To preserve, you need to dry the walnuts (in the oven, dryer, or just in the sun).
The most important time is the first days after harvest, when the shell dries up. The main condition is dry weather. No need for excessive heat. On the contrary, coolness is advisable, since lower temperatures stop the growth of mold. For example, a nut that has fallen from a tree to a suitable place dries up faster and is not attacked by a fungus as quickly as in the attic. For home drying, a draft is important, since a humid microclimate is created when the air is still.
Nuts cannot withstand fluctuations in heat and humidity. Another important factor is a clean surface on which the nuts dry. Do not place soft substrates under them. They retain moisture, becoming a breeding ground for putrefactive bacteria. It is recommended to spread the nuts in one layer, not too close to each other. Dry them with periodic stirring to ensure uniform drying.
When picking nuts in damp weather, when they are wet, covered in dirt, do not wash them with water. This will increase humidity - the main cause of mold and decay. Dry the nuts in the sun or in a ventilated area immediately after harvesting.
Important! Similar principles apply to drying pecans and other types.
Even if you're only drying your crop for the parrots, you need to remove any moldy or damaged nuts. This will prevent possible health complications in this decorative bird. When drying for your own use, discard any suspect nuts; even a millimeter of mold can ruin an entire crop.
Drying methods
You can dry walnuts both in the shell and. Drying can be done in different ways: in the sun, in the oven, or in an electric dryer. It is important to carry out the process correctly, observing the temperature and dryness.
To check the readiness of the walnuts, crush the shells, check the kernels. If they are rubbery, wet, continue drying. If insufficiently dried, despite proper storage conditions, they can rot and mold. The fragility and thin skin of the kernels is evidence of readiness for storage.
In the oven
Drying walnuts in the oven is easy. The drying process consists of the following points:
- Sort fruits pre-peeled from green peel, getting rid of damaged nuts.
- Place them on a baking sheet. It is recommended to roast walnuts in the oven at a temperature of 40-45 ° C (they must be dried, not).
- Dry for no longer than 3 hours, while leaving the oven door ajar.
- Within 3 hours, the temperature should rise to about 70 ° C. Turn off the oven and leave the nuts on the baking sheet for another 30 minutes.
- Remove the nuts from the oven and leave to “rest” until completely cooled.
Important! If the drying temperature exceeds 45 ° C, the finished product may lose its taste.
In the sun
To ensure you have an adequate supply of nuts for the winter, use them to bake your Christmas cookies, don't underestimate drying them. First you need to peel them, remove the green peel. The ideal drying method is to place freshly picked fruits on an air-permeable sieve in one layer. When folded in several layers, moisture collects between the nuts, creating conditions for the development of mold.
It is recommended to dry the nuts in a room with a medium temperature and adequate ventilation. In the absence of such a room, drying can be carried out outside. Only sunny days are suitable. Move the nuts indoors overnight. Autumn weather is variable, the quality of the harvest may deteriorate due to the negative effects of temperature fluctuations.
Place the sieve in direct sunlight, protect from possible weather changes. Optimum drying conditions are in a warm, dry climate, ideally with a light breeze. For high-quality drying, autumn sun is important, especially in the first days of drying.
All nuts are susceptible to fungal infections. Therefore, regularly check their quality, throw away spoiled fruits. The entire sun drying process takes 4-6 weeks.
Important! Never put nuts directly on the ground! This will prevent moisture evaporation and mold growth.
In the dryer
If the previous procedure seems too complicated for you, use an electric fruit dryer. But drying the nuts in a dryer will not speed up the process. Therefore, it is recommended to use the first 2 options (if possible).
The optimum temperature for drying nuts in the dryer is 25 ° C. The process is carried out in stages, it takes 3-4 weeks. Dry the nuts for about 6 hours a day, leave them to "rest" until the next day. Do this until the end of drying.
The negative nuance of the drying process in an electric dryer is not only a temporary demand. Consider also the higher consumption of electricity.
Without shell
In addition to drying in-shell nuts, peeled kernels can be dried. Drying can be carried out both in the oven and in the fruit dryer. But when harvesting a peeled walnut, the process is not as long and complicated as when drying whole fruits. Another benefit of harvesting peeled kernels is the possibility of direct consumption or use for cooking.
As with drying nuts in shell, the drying temperature of the peeled kernels should not exceed 25 ° C. Nuts should only be dried, not fried. Subject to the principles of correct harvesting and storage until the next harvest.
Storage
There are two main options for storing walnuts. They can be stored both in the shell and peeled. Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages. The positive aspect of in-shell storage is the best protection against most pests (moths, flies, bugs). Also, nuts harvested in shell can be stored longer. They are less prone to rancidity, retain their taste and aroma for a long time. But they must be consumed within 1.5 years.
Proper storage of inshell walnuts
Walnuts are selected for storage like apples. They must be carefully sorted out, the damaged fruits affected by the fungus must be thrown away. A spoiled nut can be identified by its expressive dark shell, the presence of cobwebs, and green mold.
Storage in a drawer
Remove well-peeled, dried nuts from unstable fruits. Pay attention to the remnants of green shells, dirt. They can lead to mold formation.
Place the processed nuts in a wooden box lined with paper. Store in a dry, dark place. The ideal storage room temperature is around 20 ° C.
Storage in bags
Pour the sorted, sorted nuts into mesh or cloth bags. Place them in a dry place. It is important that the nuts do not absorb moisture or deteriorate. Both high and low temperatures are inappropriate. Temperature fluctuations are even more undesirable.
Storage in salt
A proven, but more demanding, home storage option for walnuts is salt sprinkling. In glass jars, lay the nuts and salt mixed with dried shavings or sawdust in layers. In a cool dry room, nuts in salt can be stored all winter.
Proper storage of shelled walnuts
After drying the walnuts, peel the kernels, dry them on a sieve or newspaper on a radiator. This will ensure thorough drying, minimizing the risk of mold.
If you have dried already peeled fresh kernels, additional drying is not required.
Keep the kernels intact, do not grind them. This minimizes the risk of rancidity and keeps them fresh longer. They must be used within one year, regardless of the storage method. If this period is exceeded, there is a risk of damage to the product.
Important! Shelled walnuts have a different shelf life. Its duration depends on the environment in which they are formed. The ideal option is a dark, cool room. In the warmth, the peeled kernels will quickly go rancid.
Dry rolling of walnuts - for several years
This method is used by many housewives. Dry rolling in cans allows you to keep the freshness of the peeled kernels for years. You can sterilize canned nuts in a saucepan, oven, microwave.
Microwave sterilization:
- Place the dried peeled kernels in clean, dry jars about 1 cm below the top edge.
- Place the filled jar in the microwave.
- Turn on minimum power.
- After 3 minutes, remove, close the jar with a lid, turn upside down.
Pot sterilization:
- Fill the jar with walnut kernels.
- Place a rag on the bottom of the pan, pour water.
- Place the jars in the water. They must be completely submerged. To prevent floatation, place a suitable press on top (eg smaller heavy lid).
- Bring to a boil, simmer for about 1.5 hours at about 80ºC.
- Take out, turn upside down.
- After cooling, move to a cool dry place.
Freezing - up to 1 year
The advantage of freezing is that at a constant temperature below 0ºC, the walnut kernels do not change appearance, taste, aromatic qualities. Also, frozen kernels can be processed, chopped, used for cooking without waiting for thawing. You can store both whole and chopped nuts in the freezer. Use a well-sealing plastic container or sturdy bag to fold the nuts. Do not forget to mark the date of freezing - they must be used within 12 months. After a while, they begin to lose their typical nutty flavor.
Refrigerated storage - up to 4 months
The simplest solution is to put the kernels in the refrigerator. In the cold, peeled nuts can be stored for 3-4 months. To avoid absorbing foreign odors, place them in an airtight container or use a sturdy plastic bag with a zip fastener.
Bank storage - for several weeks
This method is suitable if there are only a few peeled nuts left and you are confident that you will be using them in the near future. Put them in a paper bag, which you place in a clean, dry jar and close the lid. Place the jar in a dry, cool place. This will keep the nuts fresh and tasty for several weeks.
Storage in honey - up to 2 years
The last option is to pour honey on the kernels. This method is suitable for long-term storage. These canned nuts have a different use than conventional dried nuts. They can be consumed directly with honey, used for baking sweets.
Mix the kernels of walnuts with honey (1: 1), heat the mixture over low heat, pour into jars.
Outcomes
There are several ways to dry walnuts and even more options for storing them. Even among experienced manufacturers, there is no consensus about which method is the best, more reliable. Therefore, choose the method that is most suitable for you.
Foreword
Walnuts cannot be stored just like that, they need to be thoroughly dried. We will tell you about different methods so that you can choose the right one.
Don't have a walnut in your garden yet?
Walnuts are incredibly healthy. In terms of the content of vitamins, it significantly surpasses many berries and fruits, and in terms of calorie content, even meat, it contains almost 20% protein. It is recommended for nursing mothers to improve lactation. It has been found that if you eat walnuts regularly, the condition of the walls of blood vessels improves, and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease decreases. It turns out that it is also useful for treating the thyroid gland due to its high iodine content. And this is not all of its useful properties.
The walnut grows most fruitfully in the southern regions. does not require, but you need to take care of the harvest. Fruits ripen in September, towards the end.
Determining the degree of maturity is easy: as soon as the green shell begins to crack, it's time.
Usually, the first to ripen are those that are lower to the ground, and then fall off. Experienced nut growers are advised to start harvesting with them, until they get wet from the ground. After that, they shake off those that remained on the tree. They can also be tested for maturity: there should be a hard shell under the green shell.
As soon as the harvest is harvested, they begin to tear off the pericarp on each nut. If this is not done, the fruits will turn black and become unusable. It is important to note that fresh walnuts contain almost 40% moisture and are highly rotting. Therefore, the harvest must be well dried and it will last until next year. So, the drying process can be carried out in two ways - natural and artificial.
Is it realistic to dry a nut naturally?
The quality of the product and the duration of its storage depend on how to dry walnuts. A natural method is one in which it dries under the influence of sunlight. Usually, some material is spread on the ground and ripe fruits are spread on it in one layer. Within two, or even three weeks, they dry. But in this case, the crop is not immune from unexpected rains, dew and other moisture. Now this method of drying walnuts is considered outdated, because due to a long stay on the ground, there is a possibility of the development of harmful microorganisms, and moisture can lead to damage to the fruit. Gustatory qualities also fall. This drying method is still used by conservative gardeners.
The more advanced ones worry about the harvest and dry the nuts naturally, but in special rooms - drying sheds with good air circulation and well ventilated. For this, wooden lattice trays are used. The walnuts are peeled, sorted and washed, and then laid out on trays in one layer. Prepared boxes are stacked on special racks so that everyone has free access to air for a week. The dried nuts can be eaten and used for planting.
Moldy fruits can often be found on sale. And it doesn't depend on how the walnuts are dried. This means that their suppliers have not taken care to minimize moisture. 5-8% is considered safe. You can save them from this in this way: place the fruits in mesh bags and put them for 2-3 days near a heated battery, the excess moisture will go away.
Artificial drying - we process the nut correctly
Artificial drying of walnuts is also called fire drying. This procedure is carried out in special bins with natural air flow. The bottom line is the use of special high-power fans. They direct hot air directly to the fruits from all directions and warm them up. This method compares favorably with the natural one in that the drying process is reduced to a maximum of two days and can be carried out at any time of the year. And the physical forces of a person are spent less. On the other hand, this method requires more care and skill.
Every year a person improves devices for drying nuts. Here, for example, are channel sieves, onto which the fruits are loaded, and they move in the heated air. While the movement is going from the starting point to the finishing point, drying ends. It is important to dry walnuts correctly - with the fire method, observe the temperature of 55-57 C °.
The above methods are applicable to large volumes. But at home, you can also dry walnuts to make their taste more intense.
If dried in the shell, the nut will last longer, even under unfavorable conditions. To dry, select only ripe fruits and place them in an oven heated to 90 ° C for 2–2.5 hours. After disconnecting, leave there until it cools completely.
Put the peeled nuts on a baking sheet covered with culinary foil so that they do not touch each other. Place in the oven at 180 ° C for 10 minutes. When 5 minutes have passed, stir in the nuts.
Another option for drying walnuts is in the microwave. To do this, you need to peel them from the shell, rinse and let the water drain. Then we put it in a mold in one layer, set the power to 750 W. 8 minutes will be enough. After that, spread the nuts on a towel for two hours. Well-dried kernels should be light brown in color. The disadvantage of this method - during drying in the microwave, the nuts snap and can fly into pieces due to moisture.
Any container is suitable for - a glass jar, a bag, a cardboard box. Rinse the container in advance and dry well. It is not recommended to keep them in plastic bags, the fruits may turn rancid and become tasteless. The optimum temperature for the best preservation of the walnut is 0–10 ° C, indoors for one year, in the refrigerator for up to four years. If the nut is dry, it's easy to fix: Soak it in a mild solution of salt water for five days.
Many people love walnuts, but not everyone knows how to dry walnuts. This nut combines many vitamins that are not even found in all berries and fruits, and there is more protein than meat.
In order to collect already ripe nuts, containing all useful substances, while not giving it to proteins and birds, you should know when the nut is ripe.- The shell of a green shade begins to crack;
- The leaves on the tree take on a yellow tint;
- The fruit itself should be hard, brown in color, and the inside of the nut should be moist and heavy.
Another important factor in the ripening of the walnut tree is its variety. If the tree begins to bloom in the spring, then ripening will last until the end of summer or the first half of September. And the trees, which began to bloom only at the beginning of summer, will ripen in October.
Features of drying walnuts
At what temperature are walnuts dried?
The main ingredients for drying walnuts are temperature and air circulation. In order for the nut to dry quickly, a temperature of fifty-seven degrees is considered the best. If the temperature regime is violated, and the nuts are dried at more than sixty-two degrees, then they will lose all useful properties and become tasteless.
How to dry walnuts at home?
If, after being harvested, the nuts must be stored for a long time, then they should be dried.
On your own, this can be done as follows:
- Natural drying method - in the sun, or in a dry warm room.
- Artificial drying method - in special electrical appliances: microwave oven, oven, electric dryer.
The second option copes much better with drying, the nuts dry faster than naturally. In this case, the weather is also not important, the only drawback is the volume of nuts that can be laid in one batch.
Outdoors
To dry the nuts in the fresh air, follow the steps below.
In the sun
- Find an empty piece of land that is under the sun and place a cloth on it that does not get wet.
- Nuts, pre-selected and without a greenish film, are laid out in one layer on a waterproof fabric.
- We leave the fruits to dry for several days; in sunny weather, the drying time is up to five days.
Before the advent of artificial drying methods, nuts were dried in this way for centuries. The main disadvantage of this method is the weather conditions, which can deteriorate sharply.
In room
So that no weather interferes with the drying of the nuts, they are dried indoors, for example, in the attic:
- The fruits must first be cleaned of the pericarp.
- We arrange the nuts according to size, and rinse one by one under cold water.
- The crop is laid out on a trellised surface and removed to a place where fresh air enters.
If there are not many nuts, then they can be dried on the floor on newspapers in the house. But do not forget to constantly ventilate.
How to dry walnuts in the oven?
In the oven, the fruits can be dried both in the shell and without it. If you are going to dry without the shell, then the first thing to do is to remove it and leave only the middle. Next, the fruits are laid out on a sheet and put in a previously heated oven at fifty degrees. Thus, we leave the nuts for thirty to forty minutes, stirring occasionally.
To avoid condensation, the oven door does not need to be closed completely, and even in this case, drying will take less time. So that the nuts do not taste bitter, you should adhere to the specified temperature.
To dry the nuts in the shell, the oven does not need to be preheated to the maximum temperature so that the nuts do not boil and burn.
Follow these tips and your nuts will be perfect:
- Rinse the fruits under cold water and dry;
- Then put the nuts in one layer on a sheet;
- The oven heats up to forty-five degrees;
- We put the baking sheet in the oven for three hours;
- The oven door must be ajar;
- After two and a half hours, the oven temperature rises to sixty degrees;
- If the nuts are well dried, then the shell will crack easily;
- In order for the fruits to dry completely, they should be removed from the oven and left in the air;
- If the kernel remains soft and stringy, then the nuts are not dry and should still be placed in the oven.
Reference. When drying nuts in shell, temperature oven should not be higher than seventy degrees.
Microwave drying
If there are very few fruits, then they can be dried in the microwave. For this, a small hole is made in each nut. Then the fruits are laid out on the microwave circle, not tightly to each pile with holes towards the top. We set the maximum temperature and turn it on several times for one minute, until the nuts are completely dry.
Drying in an electric dryer
The fruits are washed, laid out on pallets and dried for about five to six hours, periodically the nuts should be turned over. If the load is minimal, then it should be checked when ready.
Storing nuts
In order to keep the nuts as long as possible, and they have not lost all their useful properties, you should approach this stage correctly. Finished nuts are folded into baskets or bags in a net and put away in a cool dark place, or freeze altogether. When stored properly, the fruit will be fresh for more than two years.
Drying and storage of walnuts is an important point in the further preservation of the quality of the kernel, which affects the future commodity price of the product. In this article, we will find out how to dry inshell walnuts in a variety of ways and at home, and also consider all the nuances of storing prepared raw materials.
When is the best time to collect
As soon as the harvest on the walnut tree is close to ripening, squirrels and a variety of birds begin to hunt for it. In order to prevent the loss of nuts, and at the same time preserve all the useful and nutritional properties in them, you should pay attention to the signs by which you can determine the right ripening phase:
- cracked green shell;
- woody foliage began to turn yellow;
- a fully mature fruit has a hard light brown shell, and the kernel inside it should be moist and palpable by weight.
The variety of nut grown is also important. Trees that bloom in spring ripen by the end of summer to mid-September, and June flowering nuts begin to ripen only by early October.
Important! First of all, the shell begins to crack on the fruits that are located lower to the ground. This is due to the special temperature regime.
How to dry walnuts
In fact, drying walnuts in the shell, at home, as usual, is not at all difficult, you just need to follow some simple rules. How to properly carry out this process in various proven ways, including in the oven and in an electric dryer, read on.
Outdoors
Drying nuts in the fresh air involves the gradual implementation of the following stages:
In sunny weather:
This is the method that agronomists used for many years, until more modern methods appeared in the world. Its main disadvantage is the possibility of unexpected precipitation and a sharp drop in air temperature.
Learn how to properly dry cherries, strawberries, plums, blueberries, apples, pears, currants, cranberries, rose hips, dogwood, herbs (dill, parsley, green onions, sorrel, cilantro, spinach), tomatoes, peppers, onion, oyster mushrooms, broccoli.
In room:
Walnut fruits can be dried even indoors without fear of adverse weather conditions. For this, as a rule, an attic is usually chosen:
If the harvest of nuts is small, the entire harvest can be dried in the apartment, after spreading newspapers on the floor. In this case, one should also not forget about the fresh air.
Find out the recipe for making unusual nut jam.
In the oven
Details on how dryand thoroughly roast the walnuts in the oven, looks like that:
Important!The oven can be heated much more than 45 ° C, but at higher temperatures the product can become overcooked, oily and tasteless.
In an electric dryer
If there is a special device in the house - an electric dryer, the process of drying nuts is greatly simplified. But even here it is necessary to follow the instructions attached to the device and constantly pay attention to the degree of readiness of the products.
The procedure itself usually takes only 5 hours, but the number of fruits should be minimal, otherwise they will have to be dried in several approaches.
How to check readiness
To check the readiness of dried walnuts, you should split the shells of at least two fruits and check their kernels.
If they are "rubbery" and wet, the rest of the nuts will need to be dried additionally. Otherwise, even with the right storage conditions, they can rot and become moldy.
If the nucleoli have become fragile and have a thin skin, they are completely dry and ready for consumption or sale.
Storing walnuts at home
To do this, dry fruits are placed in baskets or mesh bags and stored darkened in a fairly cool place (for example, in a cellar). You can also freeze them.
Under the right conditions, food will remain fresh for at least two years.
How to dry and store walnut kernels
You can dry walnut kernels in a simple and proven way. First, they need to be removed from the shell, thoroughly cleaned of films and dirt. You cannot rinse! The resulting whole pieces must then dry on trays for two or three days... You can also use the oven and dry the kernels at a reduced temperature to the desired degree of doneness.
Important!If, during the preparation process, the kernels of the fruit have changed their color, began to smell unpleasant or acquired a bitter taste, they should be thrown away. These foods are spoiled and can be hazardous to your health.
It is necessary to store dried nucleoli in tight sealed jars or canvas bags, in a dry, cool place. The shelf life should not exceed 12 weeks. Once a month, it is advisable to sort out the products and dry them again - this will prevent moldiness on them for a long time.
As you can see, there are many ways to cook walnuts. You just need to choose the most suitable one for you, and as a result you will get a high-quality and truly competitive product.
Was this helpful?
Several ways to dry nuts at home
How to dry nuts at home
There are several types of proper drying of nuts, it is worth choosing the most suitable for your conditions. Depending on the method, choose the appropriate inventory:
- a device for cracking nuts (if there is no special nutcracker, stock up on a bottle of champagne and a hammer);
- baking sheet;
- pan;
- glossy paper;
- kitchen spatula;
- drying harvester (if available);
- microwave;
- if the nuts will dry naturally, a clean cloth and gauze will be needed.
All devices are simple and can be found in the kitchen of every housewife.
After the nuts are harvested, you need to peel them off. Then they are laid out in a thin layer and allowed to lie down for a while.
Drying in shells can be done, but this method requires a lot of storage space. It is more convenient to dry the kernels. To do this, we chop the nuts with a special device. If not, place the nut, seam side up, on the neck of the champagne bottle and tap lightly. This method allows you to crack nuts quickly, leaving the kernels intact. The raw materials are ready, we proceed to drying.
In the presence of a drying combine, we put the kernels in the compartments for raw materials, set the temperature to no more than 90 ° C, dry for about 5 hours.
note
In natural conditions, those who live in a private house can afford drying. This will require a clean cloth and a well-ventilated, sunny location. Nuts are laid out in one layer on a cloth and placed in the sun. Turn your crop several times throughout the day. Thus, it will take about a week to lay out and turn the nuts.
Before drying the nuts in the oven, it is necessary to preheat it to 150 ° C. Spread glazed paper on a baking sheet and arrange the nuts in one layer. Dry for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
A specific crackling will also inform you of readiness.
In a 1000 W microwave oven, it will take about 4 minutes to dry. This is a good option if there are few nuts. They are laid out in 1-2 layers on a dish and placed in the oven.
A small amount of nuts can be fried in a pan without adding vegetable oil... You will need about 5 minutes for this. Stir the nuts during frying.
Choose the method that works best for you and dry the kernels or whole nuts. They will be a great addition to any dessert.
In the next article: how to dry vegetables
Drying nuts in the oven
Nuts are incredibly appetizing and, most importantly, healthy product. Both adults and children like to feast on them. Nuts contain a lot of protein and dietary fiber, are rich in useful trace elements and such important vitamins as E and B2. Regularly consuming these products in food reduces the risk of diseases of the cardiovascular system, decreases cholesterol and body weight.
The stores offer a wide variety of ready-to-eat nuts. However, there is a risk of buying a low-quality product. It will be a shame to find garbage or, worse, mold in a beautiful package. There is no need to talk about the amount of preservatives and dubious chemical additives. To be sure of the quality of the product, it is easier to dry the nuts yourself.
Preparation for drying
You can dry all the nuts. The thicker their shells, the longer it will take. Only ripe fruits are dried. The large amount of moisture contained within the green nut will contribute to the decay process. The walnut crop is harvested at the very beginning of autumn.
To determine the degree of maturity, it is important to pay attention to the shell. If it is cracked or dark in color, then the nut is ready for further processing. Before drying, the product is cleaned of excess debris and other contaminants. This will exclude marriage and further damage.
You can dry peeled nuts, but the shell protects the fruit from harmful external influences and the shelf life is significantly increased.
Drying methods for nuts
Drying in vivo:
On the street under the sun. This is a time consuming and risky process. You can lose your entire crop. Autumn is a time of sudden, lingering rains, and nuts do not like moisture. Drying time is about three weeks.
In a special room. The barn or pantry should be equipped with special shelving and well ventilated. Drying time is about a week.
Drying in electrical appliances:
Pan. The easiest way, but it is suitable only for a small amount of the original product.
Electric dryer. A very handy device if you are drying nuts annually. For a one-time manipulation, the purchase will not pay off.
Oven. The best option, suitable for both avid summer residents, and simply for those who like to feast on nuts prepared at home. It is worth dwelling on this popular method of drying in the oven in more detail.
Drying nuts in the oven
Nuts in shell... The oven is heated to 90-100 ° C. The nuts, peeled from debris, are placed on a baking sheet and placed in the oven for 2.5 hours.
Stir the contents gently every 30 minutes. This is done to remove excess moisture. In addition, unwanted water vapor is removed by opening the oven door.
After the end of the time, the fruits are left in the oven until they cool completely.
Nuts without shell... The oven is heated to 180 ° C. Cover the baking sheet with parchment paper or cling foil. The nuts, peeled from the shell, are laid out in such a way that they do not touch. The total cooking time is 10 minutes. After 5 minutes, the product is stirred and placed back in the oven.
Storing dried nuts
After all the procedures carried out, it is necessary to prepare the product for storage. For this, a glass jar with a tight lid, a mesh bag made of natural fabric is suitable. Unshelled nuts can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 years. Peeled fruits should be consumed within six months. During the storage period, it is necessary to periodically inspect the stock in order to avoid damage to it.
Nuts have a beneficial effect on the general condition and must be present in the diet of a health-conscious person.
How to dry walnuts
Many people know that by buying walnuts on the market, they are essentially getting a "pig in a poke". After all, it is not known what may turn out to be under the shell: a tasty nucleolus or black, rotten crumbs.
The condition of walnuts depends not only on the degree of ripeness, but also on how they were dried and in what form they were stored.
Those who prefer to buy walnuts already peeled should be sure that they are clean and free from microbes. After all, walnuts, including peeled ones, most often lie in the open air, and dust and other harmful substances get on them.
It is advisable not to store peeled purchased nuts for a long time, but before use, wash in cold water, put on a towel and dry. Then they need to be calcined in a pan or placed for a short time in a medium-heated oven. Only after that you can eat them without worrying about your health.
Therefore, it is best to buy freshly picked nuts and dry them yourself for further storage. But, of course, the winners are those who have their own walnut growing in the garden or front garden.
When to harvest walnuts for drying
Whoever saw how walnuts grow, know that they are in the pericarp - a peel that is green at first, and then darkens.
The degree of ripeness of the nut can be determined by the already bursting of this very peel.
Nuts do not ripen all at once. The lower ones ripen first, and then those that grow on the upper branches of the tree.
Already ripe nuts break off from the branches and fall to the ground. So they need to be collected first. After all, from a long stay on the ground, they become damp, covered with dirt, moldy. Such nuts cannot be stored for a long time even in favorable conditions. Then shake off the rest of the nuts from the tree.
Before drying, the nuts are cleaned of the green pericarp. This activity is tedious and "dirty", since the upper peel, due to the presence of a dye in it, heavily stains both hands and clothes. Therefore, peel the skin by wearing gloves. Then the nuts are dried.
If there are a lot of nuts, then they are dried in the old, proven way, spread out on the ground.
How to dry walnuts in the sun
- To do this, a tarp or other waterproof fabric is spread on the ground and nuts are scattered on it in one layer.
- The nuts are left in the sun for several days. But this method, although old, is not entirely successful. After all, you need to be sure that in the coming days there will be no precipitation and a drop in temperature.
If the weather is rainy, you can dry the nuts in the attic.
But it must be warm enough, completely dry, and good ventilation is also needed.
- With this method of drying, the nuts are cleaned of the pericarp, sorted by size, and washed in cold water.
- Then they are freely laid out on shelves with a lattice so that fresh air is available to them. In this form, the nuts dry for several days. But again, this cannot always be done in wet weather.
If there are not many nuts, then you can dry them in the apartment by spreading cloth or newspapers on the floor. The place is chosen such that there is constant access to fresh air.
Drying walnuts in a dryer
If there are special dryers, then the drying of the walnut is reduced by several days. The bottom line is that warm air circulates in the dryer with the help of fans, drying the nuts from all sides. You just need to follow the process and turn the nuts in time.
How to dry walnuts in the oven
- Walnuts are peeled, sorted by size, washed and dried on a towel to remove excess moisture.
- Then nuts of the same size are placed on a baking sheet and placed in an oven heated to 40-45 °. Some people think it is possible to raise the temperature to speed up the process. But in this case, the nuts can kind of boil, become oily, they will have an unpleasant aftertaste.
- The nuts are dried in the oven for 2-3 hours. It is advisable to keep the door ajar. At the end of drying, the temperature is raised to 70 ° and the nuts are kept in the oven for about half an hour. Drying time depends on the size of the fruits, their degree of ripeness and moisture.
- To check the readiness, the nut must be cracked and tasted. If nuts are well dried, the nucleolus will break easily.
- The walnuts are taken out of the oven and left in the air to ripen a little more. If after this the nucleoli are like rubber and soft, then the nuts will need to be put in the oven for a short time.
How to dry walnuts without shells
Already dried nuts are split, the kernels are taken out. Nuts without shells are laid out on trays, baking sheets and left for two to three days.
The nucleoli can be put in the oven and dried with the door ajar at a low temperature. You should not do a high temperature, as the nuts will acquire a burnt taste.
Peeled nuts are stored in cloth bags or well-closed jars in a cool dry place for 3-4 months. Nuts can last slightly longer in the refrigerator if they are placed in a sealed bag.
In-shell nuts are stored in boxes, boxes, nets. To reduce humidity, the nuts are placed near radiators for several days, and then put back in a cool place. Shelf life is about a year, that is, until the next harvest.
Drying of fruits of walnuts
Walnuts usually contain increased amounts of water immediately after harvest.
At high humidity, favorable conditions are created for the development of undesirable microbiological and enzymatic processes, leading to rapid deterioration of the walnut.
Sometimes the local population of Transcaucasia (for example, the Zakatala region), in order to protect the fruits from rapid spoilage and damage by microorganisms, after preliminary drying, puts them in chicken huts and treats them with smoking smoke.
The simplest way to process peeled walnuts is as follows. Nuts are placed in barrels - vats, poured with water and subjected to multiple (three and four) washing with clean water, after which they are dried.
One of the most backward, imperfect methods of processing walnut fruits and, unfortunately, still used in Central Asia is drying nuts directly on the ground.
Walnut fruits, previously freed - peeled from the shell (pericarp), are scattered in a thin layer directly on the ground.
Naturally, the process of drying the fruits is very delayed, since the nuts are constantly affected by both the moisture of the earth and moisture in the form of dew. Conditions are created for the active development of microorganisms. When it rains, this method of drying often leads to complete damage to the fruit.
The quality of the nuts when processed by this method is low - the shell of the shell acquires an unpleasant dark gray color. The palatability of the fruit is sharply reduced; due to decay - decomposition of fatty substances, the kernel becomes rancid, the nuts acquire an unpleasant taste and smell.
Drying of walnut fruits on the ground takes at least 12 and even 20 days.
Drying of walnut fruits can be natural (solar, air) and artificial (fire).
With natural drying, walnuts are scattered in a layer on some material (mats, matting, etc.) and shoveled several times during the day.
It is best to dry nuts on special wooden trays ("lattice boxes"), the lower part of which consists of separate wooden planks, between which there are gaps of 1-1.2 cm for air circulation. Tray length 180-182 cm, width 90-92 cm, height 10-14 cm.
note
The side walls of the tray are 25-30 cm longer, which makes it possible to conveniently carry them during work (a type of stretcher with handles). The trays have legs. When the trays are folded during the drying period, air circulates between the trays, which speeds up the drying process.
Walnuts are sprinkled in a thin layer on trays and dried in a drying area - in the sun or in the shade. After warming up, the nuts should be thoroughly mixed, and the trays should be placed on top of each other (in a stack).
The most important requirement for stacking trays is free air circulation between fruits. Naturally, the stacking drying of nuts proceeds more slowly, but the fruits are largely protected from cracking.
With natural drying of walnuts, they should not be allowed to dry on trays, not only in fogs, but also in heavy dew, and even more so in rains.
The fruits are hygroscopic, as a result of which they are able to moisturize at night or in the early morning. Such a sharp change in temperature and relative humidity during the day can lead to a significant decrease in the quality of dried fruits. To avoid this, at night the trays are stacked and carefully covered with tarps.
Under favorable conditions (good warm dry days) drying can be completed in 3-5 days.
In areas where precipitation often falls during the drying period, nuts can be dried in special unheated rooms (drying sheds), in which the flow of air must be continuously carried out (free air circulation).
Active air circulation is achieved by the design features of the drying shed, the walls of which have sufficiently large openings (lattice).
When building such drying rooms, one should consider the issue of raising the base of the shed to a certain height (25-30 cm), laying out the floor with more durable gratings, which also have gaps, so that the air flow is carried out not only from the sides (walls ), but also from below.
Drying sheds should be built at some distance from other buildings, as well as woody vegetation. The rate at which the nuts dry will largely depend not only on temperature, but also on the circulating air and its relative humidity.
After cleaning, preliminary sorting, washing, the fruits of walnuts are laid out in a thin layer on racks or platforms with sides.
Racks or platforms, of which there are from 4 to 10-12 in a row, are installed one under the other, but so that air flows actively and freely to each of them.
During the day, the nuts are poured from the upper tray of the platform to the lower one; in the lowest platforms and drying ends.
Duration of drying nuts in drying sheds under particularly favorable conditions (high outside temperature, low relative humidity) can be completed in 5-6 days.
Drying walnuts in drying sheds has some advantages over solar drying, since the drying process is to a certain extent less dependent on external conditions.
After drying, the nuts are poured into lari, where the moisture leveling in the fruits takes place.
Artificial drying of walnut fruit has certain advantages over natural drying. These benefits mainly boil down to the following:
a) artificial drying of nuts takes place in a much shorter period of time than natural drying (air, solar);
b) artificial drying is completely independent of climatic conditions and can be carried out at any time of the year;
c) the need for labor for fire drying is less.
Artificial (fire) drying is carried out in dryers with a natural flow of air (the least perfect) and in dryers, when used to supply air, fans of various capacities are used.
Drying of walnut fruits is often carried out in the so-called bin dryers. In these dryers, the heated air is supplied by a fan to the bins (lari) where the nuts are placed; the drying process ends within 20-46 hours.
In the most advanced dryers - channel - the sieves, on which the nuts are loaded, are fed to the heated air. When the sieves pass from the start point to the end point, the drying process ends.
The main factors that determine the drying process are the temperature regime and the activity of ventilation - air circulation.
When drying nuts, it is necessary to apply certain temperatures, which could not have a negative effect on the quality of the fruit. Drying temperature should be 55-57 °. The maximum permissible or maximum temperatures for drying walnuts are 58-62 °.
When establishing the temperature regime, the following provision should be taken into account; the higher the moisture content of the nuts, the lower the temperature should be used for drying.
With high moisture content of nuts, the temperature during drying should not exceed 52-55 °.
note
When drying walnuts with low humidity, it is possible to use the maximum permissible maximum temperatures (but not higher), so that the drying process is completed faster.
Comparing natural (solar) drying of fruits with artificial (fire) drying, carried out in dryers, it should be noted that artificial drying shortens the drying time and decreases the percentage of cracked nuts. Moreover, with natural sun drying of fruits and in earlier periods (September), the percentage of cracked fruits is lower than during drying carried out in a later period (October).
However, with appropriate organization of the process, losses due to cracking during natural drying (especially in the shade), as well as in drying sheds, can be reduced to small values (to 1-1.5%). In addition, it is possible to extract the kernel from the cracked nuts for processing.
The sun's rays have a disinfecting, disinfecting effect and partially kill the microflora on the surface of the fruit.
Drying conditions have a great influence not only on the quality of walnuts immediately after drying, but also on the change in their quality indicators after a certain storage period.
Walnut fruits are known to undergo biochemical changes during storage. They often acquire a rancid taste and a peculiar unpleasant odor.
The relationship between the temperature regime during artificial drying of fruits and the quality of nuts after drying during subsequent storage can be seen from the following indicators.
The increased temperature affects the quality of the fruit of walnuts and during subsequent storage; immediately after drying, the nuts acquire an unpleasant rancid-oily taste. Drying at high temperatures often leads to the decomposition of organic matter contained in the fruit.
How to dry walnuts at home
Most people already know about the beneficial properties of the nut and the variety of uses of the fruit, tree leaves, partitions or the shell itself.
Before preparing a medicinal decoction or tincture, it is necessary to perform a series of procedures for the selection, cleaning and drying of the product.
Before you figure out how to dry walnuts in the oven, it is worth finding out which fruits will be suitable for this, because they can be well prepared only after proper collection.
Choosing nuts
Harvesting even at home is necessary, adhering to the basic rules:
Regular drying
Knowing how to dry walnuts can provide the fruit with long shelf life and high quality. Drying by exposure to sunlight in the fresh air is considered a common method.
To do this, you need to spread any material on the ground and lay out the nuts in a single layer. They should dry out for about 2-3 weeks. But this method is already deprecated.
Moreover, there is a high probability of moisture ingress from the ground, which leads to the development of harmful microorganisms.
Many modern people know how to dry walnuts naturally in a special room. A drying room with good ventilation and air circulation is ideal.
A wooden lattice tray is used as a basis. The nuts are peeled, sorted and washed. After that, they are laid out in one layer on a tray. This is how the racks are formed.
Important! Provide free access to air for the nuts throughout the week.
In the oven
Due to the spaciousness of the moisture in the walnut of about 40%, it can be dried both in the shell and without it. To dry the fruit, you must:
It is allowed to use an electric dryer. For this, it is necessary to set the temperature corresponding to the device, according to the instructions. Soak for about 5 hours.
In the microwave
For drying you need:
The microwave drying method is suitable if you need to dry a small amount of fruit.
How to dry and store walnuts at home: peeled and in shell
In our time, when the issues of natural products are especially acute, and the word "chemistry" causes a shiver, walnuts have become incredibly popular. A rare gardener does not grow them on his site, but having received an enviable crop, 100% wants to completely, without loss, collect and preserve it. How to do it quickly and efficiently, read below.
When walnuts ripen: harvest time
The timing of the harvest of walnuts depends on two main factors:
- 1) varieties;
- 2) climatic conditions in the place of cultivation (warmer - earlier, cooler - later).
Typically, depending on the variety, walnuts ripen at the following times:
- early ripening - in August;
- mid-season (most of them) - September;
- late - in October.
The main signal that it is time to start harvesting is the moment when the green pericarp bursts and after a while a nut falls to the ground.
It is worth considering another option: it often happens that ripening occurs unevenly on one tree. Accordingly, in this case, the fruits are collected selectively in several stages.
Video: how walnuts ripen
Important! Thus, there is a direct relationship between the timing of harvesting and the quality of nut kernels, so the harvest of walnuts must be picked on time. If you are late, substances from the green pericarp can penetrate into the nucleus and it will turn black.
Moreover, the fruit that has fallen to the ground may grow moldy and disappear.
And if you do this ahead of time, then the kernel, when dried, can significantly decrease in weight and volume, become very wrinkled (lose any presentation) and hard, its taste will deteriorate, and, naturally, it will be worse stored.
Video: when to harvest walnuts: harvest time
Now you know how to correctly determine that the nuts are ready to be harvested, all that remains is to pick them correctly, peel, wash, dry and store them.
How to properly collect and peel nuts
With fruits that themselves fall to the ground, there can be no problems in collecting - you just take and collect them with your hands in a suitable container.
But if you have several trees, and the harvest is serious enough, then there is a special tool - a roll for collecting walnuts.
You can see how this tool works (and it can collect nuts on both flat and uneven surfaces) in the following videos.
Video: how to quickly collect fallen walnuts on any surface
The main difficulties usually arise with fruits that are clearly ripe, but are still hanging from the tree. If you have a small tree, you can pick the nuts by hand, and the same goes for harvesting from the lower branches of large trees.
But removing nuts from the upper branches of tall trees is no longer such an easy task that can be solved in 2 ways:
- shake the tree itself or its individual branches with your hands, for example, this can be done by climbing a ladder.
- again, you can use special tools for removing on a long stick (pole), for example, with a hook at the end, or some other design.
By the way! Many people advise picking nuts in dry weather, but, as a rule, they crumble after rain, and in any case, before storing them, you will first have to wash them and then dry them thoroughly.
How to peel green fruit (pericarp)
It is good when the nut fruit falls out of the pericarp while still on the tree. It's also good when it is released when it falls to the ground, or the skin is detached already on the ground. This is the case in most cases.
But it often happens that the fruits have to be removed from the pericarp on their own, which is quite difficult (you have to work tediously and monotonously with a knife).
This must be done, and as soon as possible, if you want to get high-quality light nut kernels.
This need is due to the fact that the green peel traps the heat inside the nut, which means that the pericarp itself gradually begins to rot, and the shell and core darken, that is, the nut begins to lose its taste.
In general, those who grow walnuts for sale, that is, in large enough volumes, as a rule, use various kinds of special machines for quick cleaning, for example, as in the next video.
Video: an industrial way to peel a nut from a green peel
After you peel the fruit from the amniotic peel, they should be washed in water, and then, if desired, whitened, for example, in a saline solution (5 kg of salt per 10 liters of water). After the whitening procedure, which lasts 1-2 minutes, the fruits should be thoroughly rinsed in clean water.
Video: how to properly collect and prepare (dry) nuts for storage
Note! The author of this video at the end says that drying nuts near the battery is fraught with the fact that they can bloom and mold, but according to numerous reviews and opinions (even in the comments to this video), this is not at all the case.
How to dry walnuts after harvest
In order for walnuts to be stored as long as possible and not to lose their beneficial properties, they must first be properly dried, and this can be done both at home (in an apartment) and on the street or under a canopy.
Drying freshly harvested nuts is optimal on open air in warm sunny weather (but not higher than 30 degrees), or in the shade under a canopy, where there is good air permeability, however ventilated attic(even more so if the weather is changeable and unfavorable).
Nuts must be laid out in 1 layer (maximum - 2) on wire mesh or lattice boxes, on either newspapers and stir periodically so that the shell dries evenly.
It is very convenient to dry walnuts at home near the battery. note
The duration of the procedure depends on the moisture content of the nut and on the intensity of the drying itself. Most often, a few days are enough (from 2 to 5).
Important! Do not lay walnuts on impermeable materials such as plastic wrap for drying. The water flowing from the nuts will stagnate, from which stains will form on the nutshell, and the kernel itself may deteriorate.
Video: how to dry walnuts
By the way! Inshell walnuts can also be dried at home, for example, in the oven, laying out on a baking sheet. Optimum temperature (preheat) - up to 50 degrees, time - 20-30 minutes (without forgetting to stir).
Even better for such purposes, a special electric dryer.
Very convenient to dry nuts in the microwave(1.5 minutes at the maximum), but it's better to do this anyway with already cleaned.
Advice! After you've dried the walnuts enough, be sure to chop a couple apart to check that they're done. If the kernels are still wet, it is worth continuing drying, because it is due to the excess moisture inside the fruit that the fruit deteriorates and grows moldy during storage.
How to store walnuts at home: peeled and in shell
By the way! Knowing how to properly store walnuts is not only important to you when you grow them yourself, but also when you buy them from the market.
Important! Nuts are very good at absorbing odors, so they should not be stored next to other "fragrant" products, let alone peeled.
Storing cleaned kernels
Depending on the volume (and in this form, they are usually stored in a fairly small amount) and your possibilities, there are different ways of storing peeled nuts.
Conveniently store shelled walnuts pre-packed in plastic zip bags or jars with lids, refrigerated... The shelf life is from 2 to 12 months.
But before storing peeled kernels, they must also be dried, or rather calcined in a frying pan (stirring occasionally) or on a baking sheet in the oven for 10 minutes at a temperature of no more than 50 degrees.
You can store walnuts without shells in canvas bags, glass jars putting them in a dark and cool place (pantry)... The shelf life is from 2 to 4 months.
You can store peeled kernels frozen in the freezer, and it is most convenient to use special vacuum bags for freezing. The shelf life is from 1 to 3 years.
Advice! When storing peeled walnuts, do not forget to periodically examine and stir them in order to quickly remove spoiled kernels.
Video: how to properly store peeled walnuts
By the way! It is not necessary to keep the walnuts fresh, you can make various twists with them for the winter (jam).
In-shell storage
It is very convenient to store inshell walnuts in wooden or plastic boxes, canvas bags or in nets, which must be dry, clean and free from foreign odors. In such a container, the nut will feel great and "breathe", which means it will not rot or mold. The boxes or nets themselves can be placed on the shelves.
As for optimal conditions, inshell walnuts should be stored in a dry, ventilated room with a stable temperature of + 5-10 degrees (although some old sources recommend a temperature of 0- + 5 degrees and an air humidity of 60%). In such conditions, they can be stored without losing their taste for several years (up to 3 years).
Note! In no case should walnuts be stored in damp rooms, for example, in a basement or cellar. High air humidity contributes to the formation of mold on the shell, which means that it rot.
Video: how to store peeled walnuts and in shells
In order to harvest an incredibly healthy walnut without any problems and 100%, it is necessary to carefully approach the determination of its maturity and the correct harvest time. Also, special attention should be paid to cleaning techniques and compliance with storage rules.
Important! If you did not follow the storage conditions or for some other reason the kernel inside the walnut stopped being white, it began to darken (became dark) - it is no longer suitable for consumption. You can get severe poisoning of the body.
How to properly dry nuts in the oven
When purchasing nuts in a store, the buyer cannot be sure of the high quality of the product. The best option is to harvest fresh nuts from the tree in the fall.
The product can be stored in different ways, by subjecting it to pretreatment. One of the simpler treatments is drying pine nuts and walnuts in the oven.
But in order not to overdry the kernels, you need to know the basic rules for drying this tasty and nutritious product.
Walnuts
Basic moments
For drying, it is necessary to select healthy, ripe fruits. If you choose unripe nuts, the kernels will lose most of their moisture as they dry out and become tasteless. Therefore, it is important to choose ripe fruits. Nuts should be chopped, fruits selected according to size and degree of ripeness. Wash the kernels thoroughly, dry on a napkin.
Sprinkled nuts
We spread walnuts of the same size on a clean dry baking sheet, and send them to the oven at a temperature of 45 degrees. Do not raise the temperature significantly, as the kernels will dry out and lose their taste.
Bag of nuts
How much to dry nuts in the oven? It is optimal to dry the kernels for 2-3 hours. In order for moisture to evaporate from the product faster, it is recommended to open the cabinet door slightly. 10-15 minutes before the end of the recommended drying time, you can increase the temperature to 70 degrees. To make sure the product is ready, you need to try one of the nucleoli. It should break easily and crumble slightly.
Nuts on a baking sheet
Before sending the product for storage, remove the nuts from the oven and leave in a baking sheet at room temperature. It is not recommended to send hot walnuts for storage. The nut butter will give an unpleasant bitter taste from high temperatures. Drying walnuts in the oven is necessary in small portions to maintain the high quality of the kernels.
Drying pine nuts
To dry pine nuts, you must first remove them from the shell. For drying, you can choose one of the following methods:
- Electric drying.
- In the oven.
- In a frying pan.
- Spread out on a clean cloth and place in the sun.
- In the attic.
A convenient and quick way is to use an electric dryer. Having decomposed the kernels removed from the shell on specialized trays, you just need to select the appropriate mode and start the device. However, not every housewife has an electric dryer at her disposal. Therefore, you can choose another suitable method.
Pine nuts
Pine nuts can be dried in the same way as walnuts in a pan or in the oven. At what temperature to dry nuts in the oven? The optimal temperature regime is 120 degrees.
Considering that pine nuts are small in size, they need to be dried no longer than half an hour.
Also, as in the case of walnuts, pine kernels, after drying in the oven, must be removed from the oven and cooled at room temperature.
If it is not possible to dry the kernels in the oven, you can lay them out in the sun, having previously spread a clean cloth. For townspeople, it is recommended to use a balcony or loggia, which receives a sufficient amount of sunlight. When using this method, do not forget about the variability of weather conditions. In case of rain, the nuts should be removed to the room, avoiding getting wet.
Summing up
One of the convenient ways to store nut kernels is to dry them. The most suitable option is drying in the oven. In order to qualitatively dry the kernels of a walnut or pine nut, it is necessary to peel them from the shell. Then rinse them under running water, dry on a napkin and spread in small portions on a baking sheet.
The optimum temperature for drying is 200 degrees for walnuts and 120 degrees for cedar kernels.
How to dry nuts at home
Everyone knows about the benefits of pine and walnuts, as well as their special taste. Now not
Unshelled walnuts
the problem is to buy this delicacy regardless of the season, in any quantity. But the shelf life of peeled nuts should be no more than six months.
Then they begin to accumulate such harmful substances that contribute to the development of a cancerous tumor. Therefore, in order to always have on hand a tasty, and most importantly, healthy product, it is better to harvest it yourself.
To do this, you need to know how to properly dry pine nuts and walnuts at home.
Walnuts
Walnut: processing technique
You can consider yourself lucky if a tree bearing walnuts grows in your summer cottage. After all, you know for sure that in the future you will be eating a safe and high-quality product. In order for walnuts to be well stored, they need to be dried well (photo).
There are the following processing methods:
Drying nuts in the air
You can store the product unpeeled from the shell for up to a year in a linen bag, box, box, net. To reduce humidity, it is sometimes necessary to put the nuts next to the batteries for a couple of days, then put them back in a cool place. Peeled nuts are best kept in the refrigerator in an airtight bag for no more than four months.
How to dry pine nuts
We'll need a garlic crusher or hammer. With these tools, we can easily extract the nuts (video).
Scattered nuts of different types
To dry this product, you can use one of the following methods:
Storing nuts in bags
Before you start drying pine nuts, you need to remove their shell kernels. In order for this process to go faster, without damaging the kernels, you should first fry them a little.