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Dehydrating Apples


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  • #1240368
    Chris Jones
    BPL Member

    @nightmarcher

    I can't get dehydrated apples where I live (only fried apple chips are available), so I am going to borrow a friends dehydrator and try making them myself.

    I've never done this before, but since we're talking about apples here, it should be pretty straightforward (or is it not?) Any advice? Would any kind of red apple be fit for the job?

    Thanks.

    #1537661
    Dicentra OPW
    Member

    @dicentra

    Locale: PNW

    I have a page on how to do this: http://www.onepanwonders.com/apples.htm

    Tell us how it goes! :)

    #1537667
    Laurie Ann March
    Member

    @laurie_ann

    Locale: Ontario, Canada

    What Dicentra doesn't mention is the type of apple to use. You are better off to choose eating apples as opposed to those you would cook with. Apples like Granny Smith, Tantation, Fuji, Royal Gala and Red Delicious are wonderful dried into slices.

    It's best to put the apples slices in a lemon (or lime) water solution or fruit fresh to keep them from going very brown. Let them sit for 5 minutes and then dry them until they are dry through but still pliable. The best way to tell if they are dry through is to take a slice and tear it… if any beads of moisture appear on the tear then you need to dry them a little longer.

    #1537692
    Dicentra OPW
    Member

    @dicentra

    Locale: PNW

    The apple slices on my dehydrator page were crunchy, not chewy. Slice thicker for softer dried apples.

    #1537707
    Sarah Kirkconnell
    BPL Member

    @sarbar

    Locale: Homesteading On An Island In The PNW

    As for what apples to dry, dry what you actually like to eat! My favorites are Gala, Braeburn and a couple others – we are lucky though here in Washington as sooo many types are grown just on the other side of the passes!

    http://www.allaboutapples.com/varieties/index.htm

    So many tasty types ;-)

    #1537708
    Sarah Kirkconnell
    BPL Member

    @sarbar

    Locale: Homesteading On An Island In The PNW

    And the best types of apples are urban foraged ones where they grow nearly wild! Where I live there are many, many trees loaded that no one picks. So I have no issue with going up to the owner and asking if I may pick. Never had a 'no' yet! Hehheh!

    #1537711
    Dicentra OPW
    Member

    @dicentra

    Locale: PNW

    A lot of the time those "wild" apples are heirloom varieties too (like the tree on our property). Good stuff!

    #1537841
    Chris Jones
    BPL Member

    @nightmarcher

    Thanks for the replies/advice. How would a go about making a lemon water solution? A tablespoon of lemon juice + 500 mL water?

    #1537849
    Sarah Kirkconnell
    BPL Member

    @sarbar

    Locale: Homesteading On An Island In The PNW

    Chris, that will work fine. You don't need a lot to prevent browning :-)

    #1537851
    Dicentra OPW
    Member

    @dicentra

    Locale: PNW

    See the photos on the I posted… I didn't use lemon water and they barely browned. *shrugs*

    #1537947
    Chris Jones
    BPL Member

    @nightmarcher

    I just checked your website. Looks delicious and it looks like everything I need to know is there. Thanks. One quick question, though. How long are the dehydrated slices good for if you don't store them in a freezer or refrigerate them (ziplock bag)?

    #1538023
    Laurie Ann March
    Member

    @laurie_ann

    Locale: Ontario, Canada

    Chris…

    The lemon water solution you mentioned is about right. You just need a little lemon.

    As for keeping them. If you have dried them thoroughly and properly they will keep for 8 months to 1 year in an airtight container. I tend to package mine in individual serving sizes placed within smaller ziplocks and then put those in a larger container. That way you aren't letting air and moisture in everytime you take some out for a hike. Then again, I dry a ton of apples because we live near some of Ontario's best orchards.

    #1538073
    Dicentra OPW
    Member

    @dicentra

    Locale: PNW

    Mine never last long enough to figure it out! The kidling INHALES them! lol. Laurie's timeline sounds about right though.

    #1538853
    Coin Page
    BPL Member

    @page0018

    Locale: Southeastern USA

    quarter, core, I never peel.

    slice into 3/8" thick wedges on the wide side.

    arrange on the drying flats as I slice.

    sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon lightly to taste (usually).

    dry until crisp like a cracker.

    my family loves these, I haven't found I need to pretreat with lemon or ascorbic acid ("fruit fresh"). I've never noticed much difference.

    #1547163
    Dennis Park
    BPL Member

    @dpark

    Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

    If it's reasonable for you, you could online ordering Brothers All Natural Fuji apple crisps/bananas and strawberry combo packages from Costco. They're individually packaged into servings each about 15gm in weight. They taste good too.

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