How to dry walnuts

Drying walnuts is a must before splitting. The procedure is an intermediate step, however, it is extremely important. Thus, it will be possible to prevent the reproduction of infections and fungus that penetrate the shell and provoke rotting of the kernel. Preservation of quality affects the taste and future commercial value of the product.

At what temperature to dry walnuts

The determining factors for artificial drying of walnuts are temperature and air circulation rate. The ideal temperature for quick and high-quality drying of fruits is + 56-57 ° С. The maximum indicator is + 62 ° С. If the temperature is higher than the specified parameters, then the kernels will acquire an unpleasant taste.

How to dry walnuts at home

If, after harvesting the fruits, long-term storage is planned, then they should definitely be dried. At home, there are several methods for implementing this process.

1. in a natural way – in the sun or in a dry, protected from rain, room.
2. In an artificial way – using an oven, microwave oven, electric dryers.

The latter method has a number of positive aspects: drying is much faster in electrical appliances than in the sun. Does not depend on weather conditions, can be performed at any time of the year. However, the amount of fruit that can be dried at one time will be much smaller.

How to dry walnuts in the oven without shell

After collecting from walnuts, it is necessary to remove the shell, get the kernels. Arrange on a baking sheet, then place in an oven that has been preheated to 50°C. Drying time is 20-40 minutes. For even heating, do not forget to stir.

It is important to keep the door to the oven slightly ajar so that condensation does not accumulate, and the process goes faster. Increasing the temperature in the oven is not advised, as this will lead to bitterness.

How to dry inshell walnuts in the oven

To dry the nuts to the desired state, you do not need to rush and heat the oven to the maximum. Thus, the fruits will be boiled, fleshy. Or it will turn out only to burn them and nothing more. You can get excellent taste if you follow the following algorithm:

• rinse the shells with water and spread on a towel, waiting for the water to drain;
• spread clean fruits evenly on a baking sheet;
• preheat the oven to 40-45 ° С;
• keep at this temperature for about three hours;
• the door in the oven should not be closed;
• half an hour before the end of the time, increase the temperature to 60 ° C;
• readiness is checked by splitting the shell: in well-dried fruits, the kernels break easily;
• walnuts are removed from the oven and left on the table so that they completely reach;
• if the core turns out to be soft and viscous, then the fruits are not completely dry, it is worth continuing the drying process.

How to dry walnuts in an electric dryer

Home appliance stores have electric dryers that are designed to dry fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish. Such devices are suitable for drying walnuts. The principle of operation is as follows: the fan drives heated air, heating the fruits from all sides. It is only necessary to control the process and turn the nuts over in time.

The drying process in an electrical appliance takes an average of 5-6 hours. This is with a minimum load, otherwise you will have to do several approaches. In the intervals between drying, you should try the readiness of the fruit.

How to dry walnuts at home in the microwave

1. Walnut kernels are washed under running water.
2. Then sprinkle on a towel, allowing the water to drain completely.
3. Lay in a single layer.
4. They put it in the microwave for 8 minutes at a power of 750 kW or 1000 kW, then 4 minutes will be enough.
5. Hot kernels are allowed to cool on the table.
6. As a result, the nuts acquire a light brown color.

How to dry walnuts in the sun

Drying walnuts naturally is the most time-consuming and time-consuming method. Since the quality and taste of the fruit will depend on the amount of moisture inside the fruit. Drying in the sun is considered the oldest but most common method.

Walnuts are scattered on an oilcloth or wooden pallet in one layer. They need to be turned several times a day. The structure is installed in a sunny area. The main disadvantage of this method is the unpredictability of weather conditions. At any moment it may rain or the air temperature will drop significantly. Therefore, you need to be ready for this. In bad weather, nuts must be brought to a warm, dry room. For the process, it is desirable to predict a period without precipitation, with warm sunny days. Fog and morning dew will also adversely affect the drying rate.

Sorting is not required beforehand. Using trays and stacks will greatly speed up the process. After all, good air circulation will be ensured.

The duration of drying walnuts in the sun is 3-6 days. Under adverse conditions, the procedure can take up to 10-12 days. Everything depends on the weather.

In particularly humid regions, walnuts are dried in special drying barns. Where the fruits lie on special racks, and the weather does not affect the duration of the process.

How much to dry walnuts and how to check readiness

The time it takes to get tasty and dry nuts is difficult to determine in advance. It all depends on the size of the fruit, the chosen drying method, the degree of ripeness and the level of humidity.

Under ideal conditions, you can dry them naturally in 4-5 days. But if there are problems with weather conditions, the process may be delayed. Thus, the duration will be already two weeks.

When choosing artificial methods, the time frame is significantly reduced. The speed of drying of the fruits is on average 1-2 days, maybe faster.

To check the readiness of walnuts, it is necessary to crack the shell of at least two fruits. The quality of the kernel is evaluated:

• there is no excess moisture;
• dense, not soft texture;
• the pulp should break easily;
• thin skin;
• the presence of dry membranes;
• brown color of the core;
• the taste is crispy, pleasant without bitterness.

If the nuts do not meet these parameters, they should be dried. Otherwise, even if the recommended storage conditions are observed, they may become moldy and rot.

Terms and conditions of storage

Store walnuts in such a way that they do not lose their nutritional properties and useful components. It is better to store unpeeled fruits in plastic or wooden boxes, nets. The main thing is that they “breathe” in the container, that is, they are well ventilated. Then the appearance of mold is excluded.

Optimal parameters of temperature and humidity conditions: 0-10 °C and humidity within 60%. The room should be dry, devoid of unpleasant odors, well ventilated. Inshell walnuts can be stored for up to 3 years.

Peeled, dried walnuts can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-12 months, in a pantry or other dark place, the shelf life is 2-4 months. However, frozen kernels have the longest period. In the freezer, you can keep them for 1-3 years at a temperature of -18 ° C. After defrosting, you need to fry in a pan to give a characteristic taste or heat it in the microwave.

Another way to store nuts is to harvest them for the winter. The peeled kernels are put in a jar and poured with fresh honey in a ratio of 1: 2, respectively. Similar honey tinctures are stored in the refrigerator for up to 12 months.

A glass jar, a bag made of natural material, a cardboard box, vacuum bags are suitable as containers. It is important to remember that peeled kernels are afraid of sunlight and absorb unpleasant odors.

Conclusion

Drying walnuts at home is easy. You just need to follow the proven recommendations. Raw fruits have a moisture content of 40%. Storage is not possible without pre-drying. The kernels will become bitter and unusable.