dried cherry

Cherries are popular for their sweet and juicy characteristics, but a growing body of research shows that cherries are extremely beneficial for human health. Nutrients and bioactive components have a preventive effect on human health. Eating cherries can protect you from inflammatory, cancerous, cardiovascular and diabetic diseases.

The benefits of this fruit are high levels of antioxidants that protect cells from free radicals. Recent studies show that cherries help shed extra pounds and stimulate melatonin production, supporting healthy sleep.

Cherry is useful both fresh and dried, and dried, and in the form of tinctures, compotes, jam, jam. Let us consider in more detail the benefits and harms of dried cherries. Dried cherries are very useful for the body, as it retains all the nutritious, medicinal and beneficial substances that are in fresh berries.

Dried cherries at home

For cooking, you need to take two and a half kilograms of fresh berries, 1 kilogram 330 grams of sugar, 525 milligrams of water. The berries need to be washed, the pulp is separated from the seeds (try to keep the berries intact). Drain the resulting juice and cover the berries with sugar. Leave until the sugar is completely dissolved – about eight hours (you can stir the berries).

Drain the resulting juice with a colander – leave it in it for five hours. After all the procedures, one and a half kilograms of cherries are formed. Prepare sugar syrup. Pour the syrup over the berries and simmer for ten minutes. Cool to fifty degrees, drain the syrup. Turn on the dryer and dry the berries in it for at least four hours.

The chemical composition of dried cherries and useful properties

Dried cherries are a good source of copper, an important mineral. The body needs copper to stimulate the production of collagen, which is essential for maintaining the elasticity and firmness of muscle tissue and skin. Copper also supports tissue health by protecting against the effects of free radicals, compounds that otherwise contribute to tissue damage, and help cells produce energy.

Add dried cherries to your diet and boost your vitamin C intake significantly. Each 1/4 cup of cherries contains 8 milligrams of vitamin C—11 and 9 percent of the recommended daily intake for women and men. Like copper, vitamin C stimulates collagen production. Getting enough vitamin C in your diet promotes tissue repair and helps wounds heal after injury.

Dried cherries enrich the body with the most beneficial vitamin A. It is he who supports the growth of new cells, and plays a role in wound healing and the immune system. Vitamin A also supports eyesight and perfectly nourishes the skin.

Dried cherries can be dried in the old and traditional way – washed and pitted berries are laid out on a clean baking sheet and left outdoors in the shade. You can also dry in the oven (drying temperature should not exceed forty-two degrees), in an electric dryer, in a gas oven, in a dryer. It is only important to control the temperature so that drying occurs, and not baking. Of the modern technologies for making cherry jam at home, a dehydrator is used. After completing the procedure, the resulting product in terms of its biochemical characteristics will not differ in any way from fresh berries.

The product contains a large number of:

• vitamins – PP, C, E, B9, B2, B1, B;
• minerals – magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iodine, cobalt, molybdenum, calcium, fluorine, manganese, copper, zinc, potassium, iron;
• antioxidants.

Calorie and BJU

The product has a medium calorie content, and a high carbohydrate content, ideal for a carbohydrate diet.

Harm of dried cherries

Berries can be harmful to the body. It is not recommended to use dried cherries for people with stomach ulcers, obesity, diabetes and high acidity of the stomach. It is also worth paying attention to the product with cherry pits, since they contain amygdalin glycoside, which, when it enters the intestine, turns into hydrocyanic acid (poison).

Cooking application

Dried cherries are often used in cooking. From berries you can cook: snacks, desserts, pastries, sauces, main dishes, marinades. The product has an incredible aroma, which in turn is appreciated, especially during the preparation of drinks. Pies with berry filling, as well as muffins and Easter cakes are in the highest demand.

Storage method

It is necessary to store dried berries in a well-ventilated area, in a plastic dark container or a cloth bag, you can put it in a glass jar. What is the best temperature to store dried cherries? Dried cherries are recommended to be stored in the refrigerator or in the basement. The temperature should be maximum +10 degrees.

Whole grain cake with chocolate and dried cherries

For cooking, you need to prepare the following ingredients: two hundred and ninety grams of whole grain flour, one hundred and twenty grams of sugar, two hundred and fifty milliliters of kefir, a pinch of salt, one hundred milliliters of refined sunflower oil, two chicken eggs, sixty grams of dried berries, thirty grams of chocolate drops, one teaspoon of soda , one teaspoon of ground cinnamon.

The recipe for a step-by-step pie preparation is to grind eggs with salt and sugar in a bowl, pour in kefir, add soda, mix thoroughly, add sunflower oil. Sift flour, combine with cinnamon and kefir-egg mixture. The consistency should be a dough like thick sour cream. Add dried cherries and drops of chocolate to the dough, mix thoroughly so that both berries and chocolate are evenly distributed.

In a form with a high side (18 x 28 centimeters), you need to put parchment, grease it with oil. Pour the dough into the mold. Put in a preheated oven and bake at one hundred and eighty degrees for forty minutes. The finished cake must be immediately separated from the mold and left to cool on a wire rack. You can cook sour cream, custard or ganache for the pie. Enjoy your meal.