Kiwi

Description

The process takes place in two steps:

Step 1: Preparing the kiwifruits for drying

Which include the following stages:

• Visually inspecting the kiwifruitsfor any black spot or infected wounds
• Washing to remove any dirt or contamination
• Cutting into slices
• Treating with an anti-browning chemical
• Let them drain their water

Step 2: Drying the kiwi slices

Soft kiwi slices are dried in one of these two methods: sun-dried or mechanically dried using a fruit dryer.

Drying in the sun is best to dehydrate kiwi slices as they retain most of their nutrients.

• Ideally, spread the kiwi slices on a sunny day with 30 degrees temperature
• Cover the kiwi slices to keep insects or dust away
• Turn them occasionally to make sure they receive heat on both sides
• Let them sit for 2-3 days depending on the season and temperature

Using a fruit dryer (dehydrator) will accelerate the process, making it easier and more economical:

• Kiwi slices are put one by one on a clean, disinfected tray
• The trays are put into a dehydrator set to 60 degrees centigrade and 10% humidity
• It takes 10 hours for kiwi slices to finish drying

Specifications

Kiwi, or the Chinese Gooseberry, is a nutrient-dense fruit with low calorie. Kiwis are a rich source of vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, potassium, folate and fiber.  Antioxidants and vitamin C help remove free radicals that are produced in the body during metabolism.

Other health benefits if dried Kiwis with chewy texture, sweet and tangy taste include the followings;

• Nutrients in kiwis help you have a healthy skin
• They contribute to a better sleep
• They help you have a healthy heart and normal blood pressure
• They prevent kidney stone formation
• They help prevent cancer
• The eliminate constipation
• Folate is necessary for normal cell division

Applications

You can incorporate dried kiwi slices into your daily diet in the following ways:

• flavoring salads, e.g. kiwi cucumber salad, kiwi strawberry lime salad
• flavoring ice cream
• flavoring drinks and beverages, e.g. apple kiwi smoothie
• mix with cookies and pies, such as kiwi bread, kiwi pie, kiwi muffins
• breakfast favorites, e.g. kiwi chia pudding