Dehydrating Grapefruit
Dehydrating grapefruit is an easy way to preserve bright citrus flavor for snacks, tea, baking, and drink garnishes. Slice fresh grapefruit into thin rounds, optionally reduce bitterness by trimming pith or blanching, then dry at low heat until leathery or crisp. Store the finished slices airtight for a shelf-stable pantry staple you can use all year.
Equipment
- Dehydrator
Ingredients
- Fresh Grapefruit
Instructions
- Begin by giving your grapefruit a good wash to remove any dirt or waxy residue. Pat dry with a towel.
- Slice fruit into sections ¼ to ⅛ of an inch thick. Remove seeds with the tip of a knife.
- Arrange slices on dehydrator trays in a single layer, being sure that you leave enough room between the slices for good airflow. (If using an oven, use oven-safe wire racks over baking sheets for the best airflow.)
- (Dehydrator) Set dehydrator to 125° to 135° F and dehydrate for 4 to 12 hours adjusting for humidity and slice thickness.
- (Oven) Set your oven as low as it will go and dry for 2 to 6 hours. An oven set to 170° F will often take 3 to 5 hours for slices to fully dehydrate.
- Grapefruit slices are done when they are crisp and free of all moisture.
Notes
Allow grapefruit wheels to cool for 30 to 60 minutes before moving to an airtight vessel for storage. Citrus slices are best stored in a cool and dry location out of direct sunlight.
Conditioning
If wishing to store grapefruit for a longer period of time, conditioning is a step that should be followed. You may condition fruits by filling an airtight container ⅔ of the way full and sealing. Allow the fruit to stand for 7 to 10 days, shaking the container once per day to help evenly distribute the moisture content. If you see signs of condensation appear inside the container, you should promptly remove your grapefruit slices and dehydrate some more. If no moisture forms after 10 days, your food is safe for long-term storage.Dehydrating Times
Ambient humidity can be a large factor in lengthening dehydrating time. Be sure to adjust for humidity based off of the following chart for dehydrating citrus slices at 135° F:- 10 to 30% Humidity: 3 Hours
- 31 to 50% Humidity: 4 Hours
- 51 to 70% Humidity: 5 Hours
- 71 to 80% Humidity: 6 Hours
- Above 80% Humidity: 7 Hours
