Goji berries are a common Chinese herbal medicine and tonic, and many people will dry them at home for daily consumption or tea drinking.
There are several main ways to dry wolfberries at home:
1.Natural sun drying method:
Mix the freshly picked goji berries with edible alkaline water, which can better maintain the color and nutrients of the goji berries.
Place the mixed wolfberries evenly on the wolfberry plate, which can be a bamboo mat or a bamboo sieve, and ensure good ventilation.
Place the wolfberry tray in a shaded and ventilated place to let the wolfberries dry naturally and lose some of their moisture.
After the goji berries have dried slightly, move them to a sunny place for exposure. Be careful not to expose the goji berries directly to the sun so as not to blacken.
During exposure, avoid turning the goji berries by hand to avoid damaging their structure.
After drying, put the wolfberries into a double-layer bag in time and store them in a dry place to avoid moisture.
2.Drying method:
Drying can be done using equipment such as an oven, microwave oven, or hot air dryer.
Put the processed goji berries in the oven or drying equipment, set the appropriate temperature and time for drying. The general recommended temperature is between 40-50 degrees, and the time depends on how dry the goji berries are, and it can take a few hours to a day or so.
Be careful not to over-dry during the drying process, so as not to become too dry and affect the taste and nutrients.
3.Vacuum freeze drying:
If conditions at home allow, a vacuum freeze dryer can be used for drying.
Put the goji berries in a vacuum freeze dryer and follow the instructions for use of the device.
Vacuum freeze-drying can better maintain the nutrients and taste of wolfberry, but the equipment cost is higher.
Regardless of the drying method, you need to pay attention to the preservation and storage of goji berries. Dried goji berries should be stored in a dry, airtight container to avoid moisture and mildew.