Compote mixes in a drying cabinet

Compote is not only a tasty but also a very healthy drink enjoyed by both adults and children. Interestingly, it was originally considered a dessert and was made from crushed berries and/or fruits. Its name comes from French and literally means «purée» (compote). In Ukraine, the traditional analogue of modern compote has long been (and still is) uzvar — a decoction made from dried apples, pears, plums, cherries, and other fruits.

During winter, when fresh «garden fruits» are unavailable, ready-made dried fruit compote mixes become an excellent base for such beverages. They do not require special storage conditions and can be prepared from almost any fruits or berries available.

How to prepare a compote mix

Almost any fruits and berries can be used for a compote mix, depending on personal taste. Most commonly, apples, pears, cherries, plums, black and red currants, or gooseberries are prepared. Quince and jostaberries are used less often.

Fruits and berries should be carefully sorted, removing any spoiled or rotten pieces. For drying, it is best to use ripe but not overripe produce. Wash them under running water, pat dry with a kitchen towel, and remove pits and stems.

Ingredients for 3 liters of compote:

• 3 medium apples (preferably sour or sweet-and-sour varieties);
• 2 pears (non-astringent);
• 3–4 plums (the ;Hungarian; variety works well);
• 10–12 cherries (can be replaced with sweet cherries if desired);
• ½ lemon (for juice);

Slice the prepared fruits and berries into moderately thick pieces. Pour boiling water over the lemon, cut it in half, and squeeze juice from one half. Sprinkle the apple and pear slices with lemon juice to prevent browning. The remaining lemon half will not be needed.

Arrange the slices in a single layer on a tray and place them in a drying cabinet (food dehydrator). Set the temperature to 55–60°C (131–140°F) and the drying time to 8 hours. Drying duration may vary depending on the variety and juiciness of the fruits. Properly dried fruits should be dry yet flexible and elastic, resembling chewing gum when chewed.

Drying can also be done in an oven; however, most ovens have a minimum temperature of 75–80°C, making it difficult to dehydrate fruits without overdrying them. As for air drying outdoors, its success depends heavily on factors such as day and night temperatures, air humidity, and weather conditions.

Fruits can be dried together or separately and mixed later. Properly dried fruits stored in airtight containers or fabric bags can be kept for up to one year without losing their flavor or nutritional value.

During dehydration, fruits retain most of their vitamins, minerals, micro- and macroelements essential for the human body. In addition, dried fruits make an excellent healthy snack, as they are rich in fiber, which improves intestinal motility and has a positive effect on heart health.

Convenient and functional CraftOil drying cabinets

CraftOil offers certified drying cabinets and food dehydrators for both industrial and home use. The catalog includes various models made of special food-grade stainless steel approved for use in the food industry.

Models such as SH-M, SH-M2, and others feature multiple programs and modes, an intuitive control panel, and do not require special installation conditions. These compact fruit dehydrators easily fit into any kitchen interior and significantly simplify many culinary tasks.

CraftOil drying cabinets are suitable for making dried fruits, meat and fish snacks, yogurt, cottage cheese, and hard cheese, fruit leather (pastila), meringues and more. These multifunctional and practical units become reliable kitchen assistants.

CraftOil also offers a wide and constantly expanding range of raw cold-pressed oils, produced using proprietary presses from premium-quality raw materials. Our sunflower oil, poppy seed oil, walnut oil, chia oil, and others not only have excellent taste but also an exceptionally rich vitamin and mineral profile, making them true superfoods for the human body.

To learn more about our drying equipment, food dehydrators, and natural products, simply leave a request on our website.