Hawthorn is a fairly common and well-known plant that is widely used throughout the world. Its fruits are known for their medicinal properties.
Hawthorn blooms in May. The flowering period is short, so it is important not to miss the right moment to harvest. Harvesting in rainy weather or in the morning when dew has fallen is not recommended.
Tear off the petals from the buds and place them on a layer of parchment paper or on a dry towel. The place for drying hawthorn should be in the shade, away from direct sunlight, with constant air movement. To protect the petals from insects, cover them with gauze or a thin cloth. During the fruit drying process, turn them periodically.
Methods for drying hawthorn:
For drying, the fruits are picked when fully ripe and deep red.
It is recommended to pick the red berries during dry, warm, sunny weather.
After picking, the fruits are not washed, but sorted carefully. The stalks are removed, darkened, unripe fruits and those damaged by birds and insects are discarded. Then they are dried. There are several ways of drying hawthorn:
- in the air;
- in the oven;
- in an electric dryer.
Storage conditions:
Store dried hawthorn in cloth bags and in tight paper bags. Glass and wooden containers are also suitable for storage. Properly dried fruit can be stored for up to two years subject to the following storage conditions:
- dark cool place;
- dry place;
- lack of moisture and mold;
- absence of external odors.
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