How to: Dried Blueberries

We have been blessed this year with lots and lots of blueberries. Usually we have to buy some to last through the winter, but this year we’ve stocked the freezer. We are planning on making jam in the next day or two with a different kind of pectin. Crafty Gemini recorded a great tutorial on low sugar blueberry jam using Pomona’s pectin. We found some at the local health food store so we’ll be making that shortly, but meanwhile I wanted to try to dry some of our harvest. This is what they look like after they are dried.

Here is the process.

First, put on a pot of water to boil. While it’s coming to a  boil, rinse the blueberries.

Once the water is boiling, pour the blueberries into the water.

According to the Ball Blue Book, it says to leave the blueberries in the water for 30 seconds to remove any wax on the skins. I found that too long. I removed them from the water after 20 seconds,  draining them in the colander.

After drained, I spread them on the dehydrator sheets.

Then set the dehydrator on 130 – 135 degrees. Time to dry will vary with size and amount of berries. When they are done, you end up with some nice, dried blueberries.

Dave and I eat Dry Toasted Muesli with almond milk every morning. These will go great on that cereal once our fresh ones are gone.

And on the dyeing front, just a sneak peak.