Tasty and healthy prunes are pleasant and healthy to eat at any time of the year. It contains many minerals and vitamins that are needed for the healthy functioning of the body. The dried fruits themselves are dried pitted plums. Prunes contain vitamins A, C, B1, B2, antioxidants, and tannins.

Ways to preserve beneficial properties

To successfully preserve prunes at home, you need to follow some simple rules. For storage, you can use wooden boxes, canvas bags, zip bags and paper bags.

Will fit sealed containers or containers made of glass, plastic or metal. The product should be stored at room temperature or can be placed in the refrigerator.

Storage at room temperature in an airtight container. If dried fruits are stored in glass or ceramic containers at room temperature, they will keep perfectly for 6 months. To prepare prunes for storage, you should adhere to the following rules:

1. You should select well-dried fruits without signs of defect.
2. Wash the container, pour boiling water over it and dry thoroughly.
3. Fill the container with dried fruits, close the lid tightly and place in a cool place.
4. Prunes purchased under-dried must be dried.
5. The condition of the fruit must be checked periodically.

Storing dried fruits in a linen bag and paper bag

Can be used to store dried fruits canvas bags or craft bags(packages made of thick packaging paper).

The main thing is that moths, ants and cockroaches do not settle in the room where dried fruits are stored.

When choosing this storage method, you need to take the following steps:

• A clean fabric bag is pre-soaked in a strong saline solution, then dried and filled with dried fruits.
• The bag needs to be tied.
• Thick paper bags are also filled in the same way.

Thanks to fabric and paper, dried fruits can breathe freely, do not become moldy and retain their properties.

With this storage method, strong-smelling products such as spices, tobacco and coffee should not be placed nearby. Also, you can’t put washing powder nearby.

Cold storage

If the temperature or humidity rises, prunes should be moved to the refrigerator.

The key to the safety of dried fruits when stored in the refrigerator is the fulfillment of the following conditions:

1. Purchased prunes are sorted to separate spoiled and damaged ones.
2. Dried fruits are packaged in small portions in glass jars with tightly closed lids. You can use containers or zip bags.
3. Dried fruits are placed on the door or shelf of the refrigerator.
4. Once a week, the moisture level in the container should be checked. If moisture does appear, the fruits should be dried and the container should be processed again.

Dried fruits are chosen for storage not only based on appearance. The fruits, which seem ideal at first glance, may have become so due to treatment with chemicals. To check the quality of the fruit, rub it on your palm. If traces remain, this indicates a low quality product.

If it is not known when the prunes were produced, then the dried fruits should be stored for 6–12 months.

For long-term storage choose well dried fruits. The fleshy fruits are used immediately for food.

It is better to prepare plums yourself. For this select ripe fruits which filled with juice and fell to the ground from the branch. They are dried in the sun for several days. Due to the thick skin, which is covered with a waxy coating, it is recommended to blanch plum fruits.

The plums are held for 20–30 seconds. in boiling water or boiling 0.1% alkali solution for 15–20 seconds. After blanching, the fruits should be rinsed with clean water. Blanched plums dry out faster.

Any technology can be used to dry plums. For example, if the fruit easily separates from the pit, then such plums can be dried without subjecting them to primary heat treatment. You just need to cut the fruit in half, remove the seed and place it skin side down. After it has dried, the prunes are dried either in an oven at a temperature of 55 degrees, or placed in the shade in sunny weather.

From 50 kg of fresh fruits 10 kg of dried prunes are obtained. When stored correctly, prunes will retain all the taste and beneficial qualities.

Before eating prunes, the fruit should be washed in warm water. Used in its natural form. Prunes are used to make salads, used in culinary products, or simply used to decorate dishes.

If storage conditions are met, prunes will be stored in the house for a long time. And in winter you can indulge in a delicious fruit that has retained all its beneficial properties.

Prunes are an indispensable product for vitamin deficiency, as well as for improving immunity. It is eaten as a delicacy and also as an addition to dishes. But many people have a question: how to properly store prunes. After all, you cannot buy such dried fruit in a minimum quantity in order to eat it once. Surely you will have a certain amount of prunes left. And in order to preserve its beneficial and nutritional properties, you need to store it correctly.

How to prepare prunes for storage

First you need to select the “right” dried fruits. They should be large enough, without defects. The surface must be well dried. If you choose packaged dried fruit, pay attention to the expiration date. As a rule, it is no more than a year. If the packaging does not indicate an expiration date, then take the maximum period of six months.

Next, you will need to choose a container for storing dried fruit. It would be ideal if you choose glass or ceramic dishes with a thick rubberized lid. You can also take paper or rag bags with ties or clasps. It is better not to store such a product in plastic bags.

How long can prunes be stored at room temperature?

Many housewives store prunes in the kitchen so that they can be quickly found while preparing dishes. In this case, prunes are stored at room temperature. The maximum storage period under such conditions is no more than six months. But this also takes into account the choice of storage containers, which we discussed above.

If you store prunes in fabric bags, you must first soak them in salt and rinse them. The bags must be dry when you pour the product into them. Do not leave bags of prunes near spices and seasonings so that they do not absorb foreign odors.

If you have high humidity at home, it is best to store prunes in the refrigerator. Use glass containers to store in the refrigerator. Before you start storing, you need to sort through the dried fruits and throw out all questionable prunes. Periodically you need to open the lid of the container to prevent spoilage.

Let's summarize:

• Do not store prunes in bags;
• Sort prunes before storing;
• Do not try to store prunes for a long time. It's better to buy it little by little;
• The ideal container for storage is glass containers;

You can also check the quality of prunes. Take one dried fruit and lightly rub it on your palm. If there are black marks left, then this is a poor quality product.

High-quality prunes should be juicy and sticky. You want to keep its deep sweet taste and soft texture longer. Not all housewives know how to store prunes correctly. Healthy and nutritious, this dried fruit can remain in excellent condition for 1.5 years if the required temperature and humidity are maintained.

Storage at natural temperature

Only properly prepared dried fruits are stored for a long time. You need to be sure of the quality of the product when purchasing. Ideally, berries should be purchased in transparent bags or in bulk at the market. If the plums are plump, shiny, relatively soft and free of mold, the product is flawless.

At home, prunes are kept in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer. The product is not afraid of cold. Its main enemy is mold, which grows from excess moisture. Each berry must preserve its natural moisture.

The optimal conditions for prunes are darkness, coolness, and dryness. Storing in a wooden container, especially with a lid, will ensure the safety of the product throughout the year. The tree allows the berries to retain fruit moisture and not absorb foreign liquids.

In this option, you can keep prunes in the pantry. If a large volume of product is prepared at home, it is better to place it in a tub or box made of natural wood with a tight lid. Dried fruits are sorted every week. Do not allow mold to form at the bottom of the container. Therefore, after sorting the berries, they are left to air for an hour on a spread cloth. The container is ventilated for the same amount.

Many people eat prunes for health purposes every day. It is more convenient for them to keep the product in the kitchen cabinet. The following types of containers are suitable for berries:

• glass jar;
• ceramic pot;
• tin container;
• plastic jar;
• bag made of natural fabric;
• thick paper bag.

Some housewives place prunes in cardboard boxes from other products. This is convenient unless the previous product had a pungent aroma.

Prunes in the refrigerator

Fruits that are too fleshy and juicy should not be stored in the refrigerator. This product is for quick consumption. Only well-dried berries are placed in the refrigerator. Convenient storage in ziplock bags. You can place packaged prunes on the refrigerator door or in the fruit drawer. The sealing of the bag will ensure the freshness of the berries throughout the year. It is important that odorous fruits and vegetables, such as garlic, are not adjacent to prunes. The product will become saturated with foreign odors and become tasteless.

If the prunes are slightly damp in the refrigerator, dry them. In housing with normal air humidity, natural drying is done - by scattering the berries on clean paper or cloth. The same method is suitable if several berries are moldy. Having removed the spoiled dried fruits, the rest are dried and poured into another container.

Prunes that have lost their elasticity and taste like wine should not be used for food. An irreversible fermentation process began in it. This product is only suitable for homemade wines and tinctures.

Owners of garden plots often harvest prunes themselves. Storage in a city apartment is possible in the freezer. Frozen in airtight containers or special freezer bags, dried berries can be stored indefinitely.

It is easier to preserve prunes at home that are not treated with chemicals. Therefore, you should choose berries with a natural shine or matte in the store. Dried fruits that are too wet should be eaten quickly or kept in the oven for half an hour at low heat.

Tasty and healthy prunes are an amazing delicacy that has various healing properties. It contains a large amount of minerals and nutrients necessary for health.

Unlike plums, prunes are less demanding for storage, but they still have their own characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to learn how to properly organize the storage of this dried fruit at home so that it retains its beneficial properties and taste for as long as possible.

Preparing prunes for storage

To ensure that preserved prunes do not lose their taste, they should be properly prepared. First of all, choose the container in which the fruits will be stored. The ideal solution is glass and metal options, as well as paper bags and sacks of natural materials, such as cotton or linen.

In addition, you can use special plastic containers and bags designed for storing food. When using glass jars and metal containers, they must first be washed and disinfected with hot water.

The place where prunes will be stored should be dry, cool and dark. It is best to choose a place that will be ventilated from time to time.

Prunes should be chosen responsibly and carefully. Choose whole fruits, separating spoiled dried fruits with defects. If prunes are damp, they must be dried, otherwise the service life of the product will be significantly reduced.

Sun-dried prunes cannot be stored in ordinary plastic bags, as the fruits will quickly spoil or become sticky. The shelf life of prunes at home is no more than 12 months, provided that all storage rules have been followed. Dried prunes have the longest shelf life, so if you plan to keep them in this form, it is better to completely dry the fruits first.

Dried options should be purchased to be used immediately for cooking, and not stored for a long time. At home, these fruits can be dried in the oven at a minimum temperature.

It is rare to find completely dried prunes on sale today. The fact is that when dried, it loses its mass, so it is not profitable for sellers to sell it in dry form. Dried prunes can be stored in the refrigerator, strictly observing storage conditions, otherwise they will become unsuitable for further use.

Home storage rules

One of the most important factors that influences the shelf life of prunes is the choice of storage location. Among the most optimal places in the house where you can store this product are the following:

• Dry and cool place. It is best to give preference to the pantry and storage cabinets in the kitchen. The main advantage of such places is that the prunes will be stored at room temperature.
• In a refrigerator. Dried prunes are usually stored in cool conditions, but dried versions can also be stored there. A refrigerator will be very useful in cases where the room is characterized by high humidity, which is unacceptable for storing dried fruit.
• In the freezer. This method cannot be called popular and effective, but some people resort to it in practice.

It should be noted that prunes can absorb odors, so you need to take this circumstance into account when choosing a location.

Features of storage at room temperature

Storing prunes at room temperature is the most popular method. It allows you to preserve the taste of the product and its beneficial properties. If you use high-quality glass or ceramic jars, you can ensure the safety of dried fruits for 6 months or more.

If the prunes are not sufficiently dried, they must be completely dried so that the product does not spoil quickly. After this, select good fruits that are free from defects and put them in storage containers. You can use paper bags if suitable boxes are not available. Store prunes in a dark and dry place for storage.

The use of paper bags is optimal because food there breathes and can be stored for a long time. However, from time to time you need to check them for spoiled fruits.

Refrigerator storage rules

The refrigerator is the second most popular place to store this product. The procedure looks like this:

• From the total amount of prunes, spoilage fruits must be removed, after which the dried fruits are divided into small portions.
• Select a container for storage. Given the coolness in the refrigerator, it is best to use glass containers or zip bags. It is better to avoid plastic food containers.
• Dried fruits are placed in the refrigerator. If there is a special area for fresh fruit, you need to use it. There is no need to close the container completely so that the prunes have access to fresh air. You can close the container tightly only if other foods that have a strong odor are also stored in the refrigerator.
• A couple of times a month you need to check the jar for spoiled fruits and condensation inside. If there is condensation, it must be removed, and the dried fruits should be transferred to a clean container.

The refrigerator is an ideal solution if you plan to store dried prunes. The peculiarities of the product are such that without refrigeration it will deteriorate.

Freezer storage

You can store prunes in the freezer, but this is not always necessary. The fact is that this dried fruit is already a finished product that can be stored for a long time without deep freezing. If you freeze prunes, this will certainly affect its taste properties, as well as its vitamin composition.

Prunes can be stored for about one year, so there is no point in putting them in the freezer. Some people freeze prunes in the freezer if they plan to use them in dishes and drinks where the product will be cooked. This allows you to ensure the preservation of the beneficial qualities of dried fruit.

Storage in paper bags and bags

If you do not have glass and metal containers for storing prunes, then you should use canvas bags, which have been popular for many years. However, such a storage space can only be used if there are no moths, ants or other insects in the room. Clean fabric bags are soaked in a salt solution, then dried and filled with dried fruits. Similarly, fill paper bags, close them tightly and leave to dry.

A distinctive feature of fabric and paper is that they allow prunes to breathe, so they do not become moldy and do not lose their properties during storage.

Close attention should be paid to the place where the bag or package will be stored. There should not be any strong-smelling products, such as coffee or fragrances. Sometimes, even with proper storage, prunes spoil. This is due to the fact that before drying it is treated with various substances that reduce the shelf life of the product.

Thus, storing prunes at home is a simple task if you approach it responsibly. The most important thing is to properly prepare for the procedure and strictly follow the recommendations.

For tips on storing dried fruits, see the following video.

It is difficult to describe all the benefits of prunes in a few words; if you want to preserve your health and natural beauty for as long as possible, then you must definitely add dried prunes to your daily diet.

This product will help in various situations, in addition, it has an incomparable taste that will complement not only desserts, but also salads or meat dishes. In order to enjoy the taste and benefits, you need to know how to store prunes at home.

Methods of preparation and storage

Regardless of how the housewife acquired a large volume of prunes, whether she harvested them herself or bought them on the market at a good price, it is important to store them correctly, otherwise there is a risk of losing the entire volume of the product. In order to preserve dried prunes for a long time, there are several ways.

In glass jars

In such a container, prunes can be stored for up to one year and will not be disturbed by insects and other pests. But before you send the jar for storage, you need to observe some subtleties that will help ensure that the product retains all its properties for as long as possible.

• First of all, you need to prepare the prunes themselves. To do this, you need to sort through the dried fruits and remove doubtful specimens. The loan should be additionally dried in the oven, at a temperature of no more than 70 degrees, for 10-15 minutes. This is necessary so that excess moisture evaporates and further prevents the formation of mold.
• Then you need to prepare the container. The jar must have a tight, airtight lid. The container should be thoroughly washed, sterilized and dried. We remember that excess moisture in dried fruits is evil.
• Then we put the prunes in the jar quite tightly so that there is as little air space as possible and seal the container.

Since humidity does not pose a danger to such a preparation, it is worth placing the jar in the basement. A dark and cool place will be an excellent storage option. The main thing is to avoid sudden temperature changes so that condensation does not form in the jar.

Canvas bags

This storage option is more demanding on environmental conditions. For example, it is not advisable to store prunes in bags in a room with high humidity; they will become saturated with the surrounding humidity and begin to deteriorate.

• Preparing the fruits is similar to the previous method: sorting and drying.
• The bags must be soaked for several hours in a solution of salt with a high concentration of the latter. Then you need to dry them.
• Then the prunes are placed in the prepared packaging and sent for storage in a dry room.

A properly prepared bag and a dry room will protect the product from mold, but care should be taken to ensure that the delicacy is not favored by rodents. How long can such a product be stored? Experienced housewives claim that with the right approach, dried plums will last for at least six months.

Bags with sealed closure

This is a great option to store prunes in the refrigerator. If the volume of prunes is not very large or there is no suitable storage space, it is better to place them in the refrigerator. To do this, you need to select suitable specimens and dry them in the oven. Then fill the available bags tightly and fasten the lock, leaving a small hole for air access.

Thus, the product can be stored for no more than 2 months, so the method is suitable for small volumes. At the same time, it is important not to place prunes close to strong-smelling foods, otherwise the dried fruit will become saturated with extraneous aromas.

Wooden barrels

In the old days, there were no questions about how to properly store prunes. Having received a rich harvest of plums, housewives preferred to dry them and store them in wooden barrels. This approach allows you to save dried fruits for two years, without losing their value. It is worth noting that the method does not have any special wisdom.

• The dried plums are sorted and dried.
• The product is placed in a wooden container and closed with a lid.
• The barrels are placed in the attic or basement.

This container is ideal for storing workpieces, but there is one subtlety. You should periodically inspect prunes to quickly identify rodent access to the product.

Do not store prunes in plastic bags and containers. In them, the product quickly becomes moldy and acquires an unpleasant odor.

Experienced housewives have many tricks to preserve the workpiece and protect it from uninvited guests. For example, placing a few dried mint leaves in a container of prunes will help repel beetles and other insects. You can also treat the walls of the cabinet in which dried fruits are stored with vinegar. As can be seen from the above recommendations, there is nothing complicated in storing prunes. Store food correctly and eat only tasty and healthy food.