How to Dehydrate Your Own Blueberries

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One day I had a crazy idea. I thought to myself that drying blueberries was a great idea. I mean, why not?

 To buy dried blueberries in the store or online can cost $13-16 for 8 ounces. OUCH! That is an expensive addition to my granola! So I thought I would try to dehydrate my own blueberries. By doing this, I would have them ready to add to trail mix and granola.

 I thought I was a genius. What followed proved I still have a lot to learn.

 I did my research. Some people recommended poking a hole in them to dry them faster and a bit flatter. Some people recommended just drying them as they were. I choose option 2.

 At the grocery store, I bought three pints of blueberries on sale for $1.99 (normally $3.99 a pint). Perfect. I am doing a project that will save me money and I am saving even more money with my initial purchase!

 I filled the trays on my ancient dehydrator with the lovely blueberries after giving them a quick rinse.

 I plugged in the dehydrator before bed and went to sleep. I woke up the next morning to barely wrinkled blueberries. That is okay because I knew from my research that this process could take at least 24 hours because blueberries hold a fair amount of juice.

 I checked the dehydrator before going to bed and removed a few blueberries that had dried on the bottom rack. I switched racks because the bottom appeared to be drying faster. I put the dehydrator back together and went to bed.

 I woke up the next morning to more blueberries being done and I removed those. I had a half tray left of blueberries that needed more drying time. However, I thought that running the dehydrator for only a half rack of blueberries was a waste of time and energy. I sliced up some apples to dry while the remaining blueberries dried.

 By the time supper rolled around, the blueberries were done. Wow! That took a long time! If you try this, you will be looking at a 24-48 hour drying time. Is it worth it?

 Take a look at the jar:

Three pints of fresh blueberries fills only one 1/2 of a pint jar. I got one cup of blueberries which is what I need for the granola recipe I like to use. However, I am not sure the time, cost, and effort is worth that.

 I take that back, the cost is worth it. Remember $13 for 8-ounce bag. OUCH!

 I did just receive a gift of a new-to-me dehydrator that has 5-6 trays and would do more at a time, but the cost of buying and/or picking them is still a factor until I get some blueberry bushes planted and established.

 Overall I am glad I did take the time to dry blueberries. I have a new appreciation for the work and time that goes into the process. I am just not sure I will do it as a regular thing.

 Thanks for reading!
Erica

Comments

  1. Rozy LassJune 28, 2013 at 10:39 PM

    One of the reasons I haven't "preserved" food for a long time is that unless I can get the food free, I can buy the stuff cheaper than I can preserve it myself. Lucky you to find blueberries on sale! Every little bit helps. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 29, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    I have dehydrated these in the past and have discovered that unless I really keep an eye on them they can turn into rocks pretty easily; some get done and some don't, on the same tray. Strawberries, for me, are so much easier to control. When I get blueberries they get put on baking sheets in the freezer and then in bags. I love them so much but not enough to babysit!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CdngardengirlJuly 11, 2013 at 3:50 PM

    I followed a tip from a youtuber who had to empty her freezer for an upcoming pork butchering. She put the frozen blueberries on the dehydrator and 12-13 hours later they were perfectly dry. I tried it and sure enough, 13 hours later, beautifully dehydrated berries. I set mine to almost the highest setting since the berries are full of water.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Taylor-Made HomesteadJuly 12, 2013 at 7:02 PM

    Blueberries are my favorites! I have blueberry bushes but they are not yet producing. I'd love to dehydrate some of them when the time comes. (Visiting from Frugal Days Sustainable Ways)

    ~Taylor-Made Ranch~
    Wolfe City, Texas

    ReplyDelete

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