How to Dry Persimmon?

Drying Persimmon (Dried Persimmon) at Home

We put a lot of effort into drying persimmons (cennet hurması) at home. One of the first steps is to harvest them at the right time. It is difficult to dry persimmons that are not harvested at the right time without peeling them. To peel the persimmons, we must harvest them before they become overripe. Overripe ones can be turned into vinegar or consumed immediately as an energy source. You can dry persimmons at home by hanging them for about a month. By controlling insects, rot, and mold, you can successfully dry persimmons. Alternatively, you can use your home electric oven to dry them in a shorter time. However, be prepared for the electricity consumption. Drying fruit in electric ovens can be a hobby, but it can also result in significant costs if you want to do it commercially. When drying persimmons in your oven, be sure not to exceed 50 degrees Celsius. To release the moisture, you should leave the oven door slightly open. If you are using a convection oven, there is no need to leave the door open, as the moisture will automatically be released. Every 15 minutes, you can press on the fruit with a wooden spoon to help release the moisture. The drying time for fruit is not generally known, but you can test the dryness by hand. Some fruits can take longer to release moisture. You can dry and store any kind of fruit or vegetable. We have moved toward drying foods for winter storage instead of canning or freezing them. For example, grapes are soaked in sulfur water before drying because it takes a long time for their skins to crack. If you want to engage in the dried fruit trade, you can dry persimmons in about 30-35 hours using an industrial drying machine like the one from Ekotec.

History of Dried Fruit
Since dried fruit contains only about 20% moisture, it can be stored for a long time. Fruit drying originated in the Middle East, where grapes, dates, and figs began to be dried. Since ancient people did not have dryers, they dried fruits in the sun. Later, fruit drying spread to European countries, Greece, and Italy, then extended to Asia. In ancient times, since fruits could not be consumed in time, drying was preferred as a method of preserving them for the winter. With the rise in awareness of healthy living, demand for dried products has been increasing. In ancient times, only grains were dried, but in some regions, vegetables were dried by threading them onto strings. Today, dried fruits like raisins, apricots, and figs are commonly used in dishes like Ashura. Dried apples, once forgotten, are now making a comeback as people turn to natural products in response to health issues.

The persimmon, known as a treasure of health, originates from China and Japan. In Turkey, it is mainly grown in Hatay, Adana, and the Black Sea region. The persimmon is known by various names depending on the region: cennet hurması, Trabzon hurması, Japanese apple, and more. The name "Trabzon hurması" is a result of the fruit being spread through trade along the Silk Road, passing through Trabzon.

Persimmon Drying Machine
Ekotec Energy is one of the leading companies in Turkey that produces drying machines using heat pump systems. Thanks to the support of our customers, we are climbing the ranks in both domestic and international markets. Using the Ekotec Drying Unit, you can save time and money while drying persimmons.

To dry persimmons with the Ekotec Drying Machine, you must harvest them before they are too ripe. When the fruits are harvested and dried immediately, their vitamin content remains higher. If fruit flies lay eggs while the fruit ripens, it can start to rot before drying. Sometimes, it becomes unavoidable for flies to get into the fruit during drying. Therefore, you must carefully time the harvesting of the persimmons you want to dry.

After sorting, sizing, washing, and peeling the persimmons, you can dry them in the Ekotec Drying Machine in about 30-35 hours. Do not throw away the peels—they can be dried and used for winter tea or as separators between layers of dried persimmons. Drying persimmons using natural methods can take months, but with the heat pump system in the Ekotec Drying Unit, you can save on electricity and control the moisture and temperature with the PLC control system. Additionally, you can record the drying parameters and create a product recipe.

Persimmon Drying Steps

1. Harvest the persimmons before they ripen fully.
2. Sort them according to size.
3. Soak them in vinegar water and wash them either by hand or using an industrial washing line.
4. Peel the fruit by hand or using a fruit peeling machine. Do not remove the stems.
5. Place the persimmons in food-safe (PEHE) perforated drying trays with the stems facing down.
6. Place the peels in trays using the same method.
7. Place the persimmons and peels in the Ekotec Fruit and Vegetable Drying Machine (Drying Cabinet). You can dry persimmons hygienically in just 30-35 hours, a much shorter time than natural drying methods, without the risk of pests or decay.

Storage of Dried Fruits
Drying is a viable method for preserving fresh fruit. If fresh fruit cannot be sold in time, drying has become the preferred method. While fresh persimmons are sold for 3-4 TL per piece, dried persimmons can be sold for 50-70 TL per piece. Therefore, the trade of dried fruits has gained popularity.

Products dried in the drying cabinet can be stored for up to a year in a cool, dry place, depending on their moisture content. Dried products should be stored in a well-ventilated, dark, and dry area. Alternatively, they can be stored in +4 degree cold storage.

Health Benefits of Persimmon (Cennet Hurması)

• Persimmons help with stomach issues, especially gastritis.
• Strengthens the immune system.
• Protects against illnesses like the flu and cold during winter.
• Fights germs.
• A high source of antioxidants, benefiting eye health.
• Helpful for people with high blood pressure.
• Beautifies the skin and nourishes the hair.
• A great source of energy.
• Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol.