Sea buckthorn season is short. Depending on the variety, its berries are ripe between the end of August and October and must be harvested quickly. Then it's time to stock up for the fall and winter months…
Why dry?
Drying sea buckthorn after harvest is ideal for preserving the berries. They can then be used as needed in the cold season and represent a healthy treat. In contrast to preserving, fewer ingredients such as vitamin C, B vitamins and flavonoids, which make the berries extremely valuable, are lost during drying.
With what or how to dry?
The drying of the berries can be done in different ways. Here are some methods:
- in the dehydrator
- in the oven at 50 °C and, if necessary, with the oven door slightly open
- in partial shade in an airy place, e.g. B. spread out on the terrace or balcony
- above the heater
- less recommended: let it dry on the bush (berries could ferment or be eaten)
First, the berries are picked from the bush or stripped from the branches. Then they are carefully cleaned. If they are undamaged, they can be rinsed off briefly with water. The duration of the drying process depends on the method chosen. For example, drying sea buckthorn berries in a dehydrator at 40 °C takes an average of 24 hours.
An alternative would be to harvest the berries and puree them into a pulp. Then the porridge is spread out on a baking sheet or grid lined with baking paper and dried to form a patty. When mixed with a suitable sweetener, this fruit leather can be used as a 'gummy bear substitute'.
What to do with the dried fruit
The dried berries can be used in many ways. Among others they are suitable:
- for muesli
- for snacking in between
- for homemade trail mix
- as a cake and tart topping
- for homemade fruit bars
- as a filling for muffins
- for smoothies in winter
tips and tricks
In order not to destroy vitamins, protein structures, etc., it is advisable to dry the berries at a temperature between 35 and 40 °C.
The garden journal freshness ABC
How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?
The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:
- as a free PDF file to print out yourself