How and when to collect currant and raspberry leaves for drying for the winter

Infusions of currant and raspberry leaves have a pleasant taste and healing properties. Currant leaves help fight colds, improve immunity throughout the year. However, the beneficial properties are preserved only if the preparation of the leaves for storage was carried out correctly.

We will tell you about when to collect currant and raspberry leaves for drying for the winter and how to dry them in the article.

When is it time to collect currant and raspberry leaves

Raw materials for drying are collected in August - September. During this period, the leaves accumulate a maximum of useful substances. In cold regions, the collection ends in summer. The task is to be in time before the autumn process of recycling begins, during which nutrients are transported to the trunk and root, and the leaves turn yellow.

On a note. If you do not meet the deadline and collect the leaves earlier, the infusion will not have a pronounced taste and aroma.

How to assemble correctly

The ideal pick-up time is 10-11 am. At this time, the dew is already drying up, and the sun is not yet hot. The weather should be dry, preferably without rain for 2-3 days before harvesting. Damp leaves can become moldy before they dry out. Some gardeners argue that it is better to collect plant materials during the waxing moon. But there is no scientific evidence to support this rule.

Tear off whole leaves without signs of disease or damage. Currants are collected from the middle of the branches. If you pick the top leaves, the ripening of the berries may stop. In the lower ones, there are few nutrients. Young shoots of currants without berries and raspberries are cut off and dried along with tender apical leaves. Young twigs will only improve the quality of the tea.

Drying methods

There are several drying methods. If you properly maintain the temperature regime, then a maximum of useful substances will be preserved. Drying begins within 1-2 hours after collection.

Important! You can determine readiness by crushing the leaves with your fingers. If they crumble easily, then they are ready for storage.

In the oven

Parchment paper is spread on a baking sheet, on top - torn leaves in several layers. Set the temperature to 50 ° C. If the oven does not support the desired mode, the door is slightly opened. The drying process takes 10-12 hours.

In the microwave

Using a microwave for drying is irrational. You can dry just a few handfuls of leaves. The device is turned on for 30-60 seconds, waited for 10-15 minutes and turned off - otherwise the sheet mass will overheat, which will lead to the destruction of nutrients. The amount of heating depends on the microwave, the process ends when the product is ready.

In an electric dryer

An electric dryer is the most convenient device for harvesting currant and raspberry leaves. Load the bowls, turn on the device and get the result after 10-12 hours.

On air

A blank without heating allows you to preserve a maximum of nutrients:

1. The leaves are laid out on a natural cotton fabric.
2. The raw material is periodically turned over.
3. If rotting is detected, the damaged leaves are removed.

Dried in dry rooms, where the sun's rays do not fall. A small number of shoots can be prepared on the windowsill.

Leaves with shoots are tied in bunches and hung on a rope.

Drying will take 1-2 weeks without heating.

Fermentation

Fermentation is not a preparation method, but a process of decomposition of organic substances under the influence of an enzyme. After its completion, the composition of the product changes, a new, more pronounced taste and aroma appears. Currant and raspberry leaves are rarely fermented, but if you want to try, here is the algorithm of actions:

1. The collected raw materials are spread in a thin layer on paper or cloth and left in a cool dark place for 20-30 hours.
2. The leaves are rolled until juice appears on the surface. Then they are put in jars, baskets, pots and left to ferment until the characteristic aroma of currants or raspberries appears in the room. If the leaves become dry in the process, spray them with water.
3. The green mass is crushed and dried in the oven at a temperature of 90 ° C for about an hour.

Finished leaves should crumble, as with any drying.

Interesting. Drying can be done in the dryer and outdoors. A large amount of moisture is lost during fermentation. Therefore, the drying time is significantly reduced.

Storage of dried raspberry and currant leaves

Dried leaves are stored in a hermetically sealed plastic or glass container. You can use paper and cloth bags. But in this case, you will need to find a dry place in the house - the ingress of moisture leads to damage to the product.

Expiry dates

When stored properly, dried leaves can be brewed until spring if they do not show signs of deterioration. When mold or rot appears, the workpiece is thrown away. The healing properties persist for 2-3 months, then the amount of nutrients gradually decreases.

It is interesting:

The best recipes for harvesting leaf celery for the winter.

How to cook green cabbage leaves for the winter.

Varieties of asparagus: thin-leaved, argentel and others.

Conclusion

Raspberry leaf tea and currants are brewed until spring, if the raw materials have been correctly collected and prepared. The collection is carried out in late summer or early autumn, then the leaves are dried in one of the standard ways. The most gentle method is in the fresh air, and the fastest and most convenient method is in an electric dryer.