Q. What type of grapes should I grow to make raisins? Is
there any special trick to making raisins or do you just dry the grapes?
A. Traditionally, Thompson Seedless is used for raisins
but you can use any seedless raisins (usually table grapes). Whichever taste of
grapes you like make good raisins. Allow them to dry on the vine (unless birds
or ground squirrels are a problem) or remove them from the vine and dry them by
themselves.
but you can use any seedless raisins (usually table grapes). Whichever taste of
grapes you like make good raisins. Allow them to dry on the vine (unless birds
or ground squirrels are a problem) or remove them from the vine and dry them by
themselves.
Remove the
berries from the bunches and remove the stem from the berry. If there is a secret to drying fruit in the
desert, then it is to control the temperature used for drying. I made a solar
dryer a few years ago but the air temperature in the dryer was too hot. I ended
up using this dryer but put it in the shade rather than in the sun.
berries from the bunches and remove the stem from the berry. If there is a secret to drying fruit in the
desert, then it is to control the temperature used for drying. I made a solar
dryer a few years ago but the air temperature in the dryer was too hot. I ended
up using this dryer but put it in the shade rather than in the sun.
Cover
the drying grapes with cheesecloth or any breathable material that helps keep
birds and dirt off it. Temperatures should be below 140F, but suggestions will
vary. Generally, the lower the temperature and high wind movement the better. So,
drying them in the shade in open air in the summer is about perfect here. Just
avoid high temperatures (above 140F) and dry them as quickly as possible.
the drying grapes with cheesecloth or any breathable material that helps keep
birds and dirt off it. Temperatures should be below 140F, but suggestions will
vary. Generally, the lower the temperature and high wind movement the better. So,
drying them in the shade in open air in the summer is about perfect here. Just
avoid high temperatures (above 140F) and dry them as quickly as possible.