How to Dehydrate Kiwi Slices
Although dried fruit is available absolutely everywhere it is better to dry your own as commercially available dried fruit is treated with sulphur dioxide prior to the drying process. By using sulphur dioxide the color of the fruit after it has been dried is enhanced. These dried fruits might look prettier than fruit dried without the use of sulphur dioxide, but the sulphur dioxide can trigger asthma symptoms in people suffering from the disorder.
Drying your own fruit is healthier and as long as you limit your intake, can be a nutritional addition to your eating plan when added to plain yogurt for instance.
How to Dehydrate Kiwi Slices
Ingredients:
- Kiwis (as many as you would like to dry)
- Knife
- Oven or Dehydrator
- Cookie tray (if you are using the oven)
- Airtight plastic container or plastic bag
Directions:
Wash you kiwis under the tap and carefully peel them. Peeling is optional as kiwis can be dried with the skin intact should you prefer to do so.
Slice your kiwis into 1/4 inch slices. You do not want huge, thick slices but also be careful not to make them too thin.
Arrange the slices on the cookie tray (if you are using the oven) or dehydrator trays making sure the edges do not overlap otherwise your slices will stick together.
Place the trays with sliced kiwis in the dehydrator or, if you are using the oven, place the cookie tray with the kiwi slices in the oven which has been preheated to 130 degrees.
Dry your kiwi slices until they are dry to the touch and store them in an airtight container or plastic bags.
Tips
- When picking kiwis, even if it is for drying, make sure that they are ripe, firm and without any blemishes. You will unfortunately not be able to use the forgotten fruit in your fruit bowl for drying as these will be overripe and not good candidates for dehydration.
- Your dehydrated kiwis can still look pretty without having to use sulphur dioxide. Make an ascorbic acid dip by combining one part of water with 2 tablespoons ascorbic acid and dipping your fruit into the mixture before dehydration. Not only will your dehydrated kiwis look just as good as the ones in the shops, but this method will also restore some of the vitamin C which is lost during dehydration.
- Try not to store your dehydrated kiwis in the fridge but if you have no choice, make sure that the container is airtight otherwise moisture will creep in and make your dehydrated kiwis soggy.
- To protect your dehydrated kiwis from sunlight, seal them in an airtight bag with a ziplock and then put them into a brown paper bag before storing them in a cool, dry place.
- Dried kiwis tend to taste a bit tart but you can remedy the taste by using a little bit of sugar or honey before or after the dehydration process.
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