Equipment
- 1 Freeze Dryer and trays
- 1 Impulse Sealer
- 1 Blender optional for making mulberry powder
- 1 Mylar bags or Mason jars in sufficient quantity for storage
- 1 Oxygen absorbers for each bag or jar
Ingredients
- 1 bowl fresh or frozen mulberries to your desired quantity
Instructions
Harvest or Purchase Mulberries
- Harvest perfectly ripe mulberries while plump and juicy.
- Alternatively, select high-quality ripe fresh or frozen mulberries from a store.
Clean & Prepare the Mulberries
- Place the mulberries gently in a colander and rinse under cool water.
- Allow them to air dry completely then remove stems and chop if desired (we leave ours whole with stem on).
Pre-Freeze the Mulberries (optional)
- Spread the mulberries onto your freeze dryer trays and put in the freezer overnight.
Run the Freeze Dry Cycle
- Load the trays into the freeze dryer.
- Start the freeze dry cycle ensuring adequate extra dry time is set to package at your convenience.
- The cycle will take roughly 25-50 hours depending on how loaded your trays were.
Check the Mulberries
- The mulberries are dry when they are light, slightly warm and crumble easily.
Package for Long-Term Storage
- Use Mylar bags or Mason jars with oxygen absorbers. Seal the Mylar bags with an impulse sealer and label each bag.
Make Mulberry Powder (optional)
- Blend the mulberries into a fine powder using a blender such as a Vitamix and package as above.
Notes
Here are some ways to use your freeze dried mulberries:
- Snacking: Enjoy freeze-dried mulberries straight from the jar or bag.
- Breakfast Boost: Add to cereals, oatmeal, or yogurt.
- Smoothies: Blend mulberry powder into smoothies.
- Baking: Incorporate whole or powdered mulberries into muffins, breads, and pastries.
- Desserts: Rehydrate by soaking in water for a few minutes; use in pies, tarts, or compotes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
