Drying fruit: Which fruits are perfect for drying?

Especially during harvest season, it’s worth drying fruits. Usually, there is so much fruit that it cannot be entirely consumed fresh or processed immediately. Instead of leaving it on the tree to rot, you can dry or dehydrate it. This way, you make it shelf-stable for a long time.

However, not all fruits are equally suitable for drying. In this article, we explain which fruits you can dry without encountering problems.

What is the best way to dry fruits?

Preserving fruits by drying or dehydrating has a long tradition. Already in ancient times, the Egyptians, Greeks, and other peoples preserved fruits this way. This allowed them, among other things, to take fruit on long journeys. Back then, drying was still done in the open air on so-called drying racks. However, this method was extremely labor- and time-intensive.

Even today, you can dry fruits this way. It is simpler, faster, and more consistent with technical aids. Among other methods, drying in the oven is possible. Even more convenient is using our dörrgerät dörrex.

Which fruits are best suited for drying?

Almost all types of fruit are suitable for drying. It is best to choose varieties with a low fat content. Fortunately, this is generally the case, except for avocados, which contain over 20 percent fat.

It is therefore more important to ensure that the fruit to be dried is in perfect condition. It should not be rotten or worm-infested. Unripe or overripe fruits are also unsuitable. So, it is best to select fruit that is very good and fully ripe for drying.

Local fruits for drying

If you want to dry fruit, you should, whenever possible, use local varieties. There are several good reasons for this. For example, with regionally grown fruit, you can usually trace the origin very well. This helps to ensure, among other things, that the fruit is not heavily contaminated with pesticides or herbicides.

In addition, drying local fruit is more sustainable. It has not traveled long distances that would unduly impact the environment. Moreover, fruits grown locally tend to perform better in terms of resource and water consumption compared to exotic fruits. The following local fruit varieties are very suitable for drying:

• Pears
• Apples
• Damsons or plums
• Apricots
• Mirabelles

Exotic fruits and varieties for drying

If you still do not want to completely give up exotic fruit enjoyment, it is possible to dry numerous subtropical and tropical fruits. The following varieties are particularly recommended:

• Bananas
• Citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges
• Kiwis
• Pineapples
• Mangos and papayas

It is especially worthwhile to dry these fruits when they are in season in their country of origin. Then they are usually available locally at a relatively low price.

Drying fruits: Optimal preparation improves the results

Before drying fruits, you should optimally prepare them for the drying process. If you do this carefully, you will obtain first-class dried fruits with maximum shelf life. First, all fruits must be thoroughly washed and then dried. Pome fruits like plums or apricots need to be pitted. They can usually be dried whole.

For other fruits such as apples or pears, you should remove not only the core but also the peel. Leaving the peel on the fruit will extend the drying process. Additionally, the fruit may warp because the peel and flesh dry at different rates.

Afterward, cut larger fruits into slices or wedges. Make sure they are no thicker than two centimeters. Otherwise, the dried fruit usually becomes very tough. Apple and pear peels can also be dried separately, from which delicious fruit teas can be made.

How long should different fruits be dried?

Depending on their original water content, drying times for different fruits can vary significantly. Even individual varieties of the same type of fruit can dry at different speeds. Here are some rough guidelines for popular dried fruits regarding drying time and the drying test:

• Apples, 15 to 20 millimeters thick: about six to ten hours, pliable
• Apricots, halved: about ten to eighteen hours, pliable
• Bananas, halved lengthwise or quartered: eight to twelve hours, pliable
• Figs, halved with the cut side up: ten to twelve hours, dry
• Pineapple, in eight-millimeter thick slices: ten to twelve hours, pliable

To dry fruits, a constant temperature between 50 and 70 degrees Celsius is generally recommended. Our dörrex dehydrator maintains this temperature automatically throughout the entire drying period.

Drying fruits with the dörrex: Comfortable, fast, and safe

Especially if you want to dry fruits regularly and in larger quantities, investing in a dehydrator is worthwhile. Our dörrex, available in various models, makes it easy to gently dry a wide variety of fruits. In addition, it is of course also suitable for drying vegetables and herbs.

It is available with or without a twelve-hour timer, and either with plastic or stainless steel drying racks. Thanks to the stepless temperature control between 20 and 70 degrees Celsius, you have the right drying temperature for every type of fruit. Furthermore, the dehydrator operates almost silently thanks to a fan in the base.

Moisture escapes through a vent hole in the lid along with the airflow. With a power output of 540 watts, the dörrex is also significantly more energy-efficient than an oven when drying fruit. You can use up to ten of our fine-mesh drying racks at once, allowing you to dry large quantities of fruit in a single batch.

As a practical aid, the lid of the dehydrator already has the times and temperatures for various fruits and vegetables imprinted. Additionally, a wide range of optional accessories is available, allowing you to customize the device to your needs.

Start drying fruits with the dörrex for a healthy diet

When you dry fruits, a large portion of the vitamins and nutrients they contain is preserved. With dried fruit, you can enjoy healthy foods from the region even outside of the season.

In addition to drying fruits, fondue is also very popular, especially in the colder months. A fondue evening is not only a culinary highlight but also promotes sociable gatherings with family and friends. In our online shop, you will find a wide selection of high-quality fondue sets that ensure unforgettable evenings.

We are happy to provide detailed and competent advice if you have questions about drying fruits or dehydrators, or about our fondue offerings. Feel free to contact us via our contact form or conveniently order the dörrex directly from our online shop.