Blackberries

Lindlou

We have blackberries here in the Midlands, easily 6 -8 weeks earlier than usual. Picked some Sunday (eaten with yoghurt) which were just about OK but ones we picked yesterday just a few days later were delicious. :j

VfM4meplse

I've seen loads of ripe brambles this year. Agreed it seems earlier than usual.

silver-oldie

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

SILVER OLDIE I have an EXCALIBUR 9 tray dehydrator, the girls clubbed together and got it for my combined Christmas and birthday present a few years ago, it's excellent and does a really efficient job of the dehydration, expensive but we grow enough to warrant having it. It replaced a 5 tray I'd had for a few years with iffy success in dehydrating various things which eventually melted!

QUOTE]

MrsLurcherwalker thank you.
Have to think seriously before spending £200/£300. is there anything I need to look for when buying?

trailingspouse

We've just come in from a walk and were commenting on how early the blackberries are this year - not ready for picking yet, as we're in Yorkshire, but it won't be long.

My quick blackberry treat is to heat them until the juice runs and then pour over vanilla ice cream.

KxMx

The blossom was out so early on my thornless plant I knew they'd be ready early, first handful ready now and will be picked by the weekend

At least 3 weeks earlier compared to previous years. I don't usually expect anything until mid to late August.

The plant itself has bent over with the weight of fruit- yum.

[Deleted User]

Hi SILVER-OLDIE the only thing to make sure of is that the inside drying trays are plastic and if you buy a second hand one make sure they aren't cracked or broken. I have a silicone liner in one of mine (an extra when ordering new) to make fruit leathers on which works very well and might be a worthwhile investment above the initial basic dehydrator. I don't know for sure but think that you may be to find an Excalibur model with less trays, think there may be a 5 tray model which would be less expensive. The 9 tray one is quite hefty and takes up a chunk of the work surface in the kitchen so if you're limited for space something smaller might be worth considering.

silver-oldie

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Hi SILVER-OLDIE the only thing to make sure of is that the inside drying trays are plastic and if you buy a second hand one make sure they aren't cracked or broken. I have a silicone liner in one of mine (an extra when ordering new) to make fruit leathers on which works very well and might be a worthwhile investment above the initial basic dehydrator. I don't know for sure but think that you may be to find an Excalibur model with less trays, think there may be a 5 tray model which would be less expensive. The 9 tray one is quite hefty and takes up a chunk of the work surface in the kitchen so if you're limited for space something smaller might be worth considering.

Once again thank you so much Mrs Lurcherwalker.
Have looked on Amazon and they do a smaller one. Kitchen space not a problem, but need to make sure it's something I will use.
Dehydrator or another freezer that is the question

[Deleted User]

Freezers very useful BUT downside is needing continuous power supply to keep them running. Dehydrators use electricity for the drying process but then you have produce that is stored in sealed containers on a shelf with no need for continuous power supply. If you lose power the freezer contents have very finite useable lives BUT the dehydrated goods will be useable for a considerable time.

SIRENS

Thanks so much for the receipe Mrs Lurcherwalker I'm definitely making some of that sounds delicious.

silver-oldie

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Freezers very useful BUT downside is needing continuous power supply to keep them running. Dehydrators use electricity for the drying process but then you have produce that is stored in sealed containers on a shelf with no need for continuous power supply. If you lose power the freezer contents have very finite useable lives BUT the dehydrated goods will be useable for a considerable time.

Thank you, makes sense to buy dehydrator, I think 80% of my freezer is fruit from the garden.
Love the idea of apple crisps, dried berries/ fruit for muesli

Do you just rehydrate fruit and use for crumbles pies etc ?

Sorry to keep asking questions