Dried Lemon
Nowadays, we consume many dried fruits and nuts. However, dried lemon stands out. Rather than being a snack, dried lemon serves as a flavor enhancer and a savior in meals. So, what is dried lemon? Is it possible to make dried lemon at home? How can we consume dried lemon? Let's take a look at the answers to these questions.
What is Dried Lemon?
Lemons carefully selected for drying are dried through a series of stages. Before this process, the lemon contains 80 of its water. During the drying process, the water in the lemon is evaporated. This results in dried lemons, or dried lemons.
Making dried lemons isn't a complicated process. 8 kilograms of lemons are needed to prepare 1 kilogram of dried lemons. Of course, one of the most frequently asked questions is: Do lemons lose their nutritional value when dried? Of course not. During the drying process, all the nutrients in the lemon are preserved. Only the water in the lemon is evaporated. This way, the lemons, dehydrated, can be consumed dried.
As with other fruits, dried lemons are more stable. The lack of water slows down the growth of bacteria. This allows dried lemons to be used for months. Of course, the condition of proper storage applies to all fruits and vegetables, even dried ones.
How to Consume Dried Lemons?
Dried lemons are consumed in many ways. Their most common use is in products like cakes, thanks to their garnishing and flavoring properties. You can also add a little dried lemon to fruit platters to create a tart flavor. Those who prefer can create a unique flavor by making dried lemon tea. Of course, dried lemons can be used in many other ways besides the examples mentioned above.
The best thing to do with dried lemons is to consume them in meals. Even though they are dried, they don't lose much of their flavor or aroma. Therefore, they can be used as a flavor enhancer in dishes and drinks.
Dried lemons contain no artificial sweeteners or added sugars. Therefore, you can enjoy the dried lemon slices you purchase with peace of mind. Although dried lemons don't contain any preservatives, they can be stored for a long time. Because, as we mentioned before, the lemon's shelf life increases because the amount of water in it is reduced.
How to Make Dried Lemons?
If you don't want to spoil your lemons by making dried lemons, you can make them at home in a few steps. Of course, you need to use some tips and prepare them carefully. Otherwise, you can burn the lemons while trying to make them, causing a bitter taste. Here are the steps to prepare dried lemons at home:
- 1. Wash the lemons thoroughly.
- 2. Cut them into very thin slices. Be careful not to break them apart when cutting.
- 3. Place the lemons on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 150 degrees Celsius.
- 4. If you don't want the lemons to stick, you can spread them on wax paper.
- 5. When arranging the lemons, be careful not to overlap them.
- 6. Bake the arranged lemons in the oven until they are dry.
While following the steps above, follow the lemons as closely as possible. The thinner you slice them, the faster they will dry. Of course, you can make as many dried lemons as you like, depending on your taste. However, you need to store the dried lemons you've prepared in a special way. Let's take a look at how to store dried lemons.
How to Store Dried Lemons?
Dried lemons or dried lemons must be stored in a special way. To do this, keep them away from moisture, sunlight, and odors. If you want to store dried lemons in your kitchen, be sure to store them in a sealed jar. It's also very important to keep this jar away from the stove. If you prefer, you can store it in the refrigerator or a cupboard that isn't opened frequently during the summer months. This way, you can preserve dried lemons for a long time.
If you don't want dried lemons to lose their aroma, keeping them away from strong odors is a good choice. Therefore, it's best not to leave them on the counter. If you prefer, you can store them in special zip-lock bags to remove air from the bags. Dried lemons are more susceptible to moisture. By following these tips, you can store dried lemons for a long time.
