How to properly preserve cloudberries for the winter at home

Cloudberries, like other berries, are stored in various ways. They resemble raspberries in shape, but their aroma and flavor are distinct, characteristic of northern berries not found in gardens. Cloudberries often grow near fruits such as blueberries, bilberries, and lingonberries. Peat moss and wild rosemary often grow near such plantings, making it difficult to find a ripe harvest.

What are the benefits of cloudberries?

Thanks to their rich vitamin content, the fruits are used to improve health and boost immunity. They contain sugar, protein, fiber, malic and citric acids, vitamins A, B, C, and PP, potassium, cobalt, phosphorus, iron, tannins, and pectin.

Cloudberry is used as:

• antiscorbutic, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and diuretic agents;
• a useful nutritional component when following a diet;
• in combination with honey and sugar – a booster of the immune system;
• a strengthening element in case of decreased appetite;
• supplier of vitamins, micronutrients, organic acids, pectin for the winter period;
• nourishing the body in children;
• antiseptic for skin diseases such as scabies.

The berry sometimes causes allergic reactions, especially when consumed in excess.

How to pick and store berries at home

To properly prepare healthy berries, you sometimes have to walk a long distance through a marshy area before finding a cloudberry bush.

To collect, you should follow some recommendations:

• It is better to collect the harvest in a can or bucket;
• for the process, it is worth choosing dry weather in the morning or evening;
• do not miss the peak of berry ripening, which lasts about 10-14 days;
• pick off fruits with sepals;
• cover the crop with cloth or grass to protect it from the sun.

Storing unripe cloudberries

Due to the fact that ripe berries can drip on the road, it is recommended to use a wicker basket for long-distance transportation. cloudberry picking When unripe, the berries should have a reddish tint. After a few days, they acquire a rich yellow color. At this point, they are ready to eat. Store them in a large container to prevent them from being squeezed together and leaking juice.

Conditions and duration of storage of fresh fruits

If you follow the proper berry picking guidelines, store the berries in a container in the refrigerator. Fresh cloudberries will keep for 7-8 days. If the berries are overripe, they will only last for 5-7 hours in the refrigerator, as they are prone to fermentation under any conditions.

Methods

Drying cloudberries for the winter

To avoid the hassle of canning, many housewives prefer an alternative method of preserving – drying. To do this, it's worth considering:

1. The harvest must be carefully selected to avoid rot and mold.
2. The berries should be laid out on clean paper or dry cloth in one layer.
3. Send to a dry, dark place.
4. It is permissible to dry the fruits in the oven at a temperature of 50 degrees.

Do not exceed the oven temperature as this may cause juice to be released.

Dried berries partially lose their flavor and nutritional properties. They are often used in desserts and as a garnish.

Freezing

Frozen berries retain beneficial micronutrients and vitamins. For whole berries, you need:

1. Select the fruits from the stalks and sepals.
2. Place the fruits in a thin layer on the tray.
3. Place in the freezer.
4. Pour the frozen berries into a plastic bag, then into a container.

We freeze berries in sugar and as puree

To create winter preserves in sugar you will need:

1. Wash and dry the fruits on a disposable towel.
2. Place the fruits in small portions into containers.
3. Close the container tightly with cling film or a lid.
4. Place in the freezer.

To prepare cloudberry puree without sugar, you need to follow these steps:

1. Wash and dry the berries.
2. Rub the harvest through a sieve.
3. Place into molds.
4. Store in the freezer.

Jam

To make jam you need to purchase the following ingredients:

• cloudberry – 1000 grams;
• sugar – 1200 grams;
• Purified water – 200 milliliters.

Step by step actions:

1. Mix granulated sugar with water, cook on the stove for 7 minutes.
2. Add clean dried berries to the boiling syrup.
3. Cook for half an hour, shaking the dish every 5-6 minutes.
4. Pour into glass jars.
5. Close the lids tightly.
6. Store away from sunlight.

Let's prepare compote

To prepare a classic compote for the winter, you will need:

• berries – 500-600 grams;
• granulated sugar – 550 grams;
• water – 2 liters.

Manufacturing:

1. Make syrup from water and sugar by simmering the ingredients over low heat for 5 minutes.
2. Place clean, dried fruits into sterilized jars.
3. Cover with hot syrup.
4. Roll up the container.
5. Turn upside down and wrap up.

Grind with honey

To create a healthy and original preparation, it is recommended to replace sugar with honey. To do this, you will need:

• cloudberry – 1 kilogram;
• honey – 800 grams;
• water – 300 milliliters.

Preparation:

1. Pour liquid over the fruits.
2. Cook for 5 minutes over low heat.
3. Rub through a sieve.
4. Combine with honey until smooth.
5. Roll into glass jars, tightly closing the lids.

We harvest our crops in our own juice

For the blanks you will need the following elements:

• 1 kilogram of berries;
• 550 grams of granulated sugar.

Recipe:

1. Place washed and dried cloudberries in layers in a deep bowl, sprinkle each layer with sugar.
2. Place in the refrigerator for 5 hours.
3. Strain through a colander. Bring the juice to a boil.
4. Place the berries in a glass container. Pour juice into each jar.
5. Roll up and leave to cool wrapped up.

Pickled berry

Ingredients:

• cloudberry – 700-800 grams;
• water – 1 liter;
• sugar – 200 grams.

Recipe:

1. Place clean, dry berries in a wooden container.
2. Prepare a syrup from water and sugar over low heat.
3. Pour liquid over the cloudberries.
4. Cover with a lid and cloth.
5. Infuse for several months in a cool, dark place.

Jam

To obtain a delicious and original source of nutrients in the form of jam, you need to use the following elements:

• sugar;
• water;
• cloudberry fruits.

Step by step execution:

1. Prepare the berries.
2. Cook syrup from sugar and water.
3. Pour the liquid over the fruits. Cook over low heat for 30 minutes.
4. Grind until smooth.
5. Cook for 8-10 minutes on low speed.
6. Pour the finished jam into a sterilized glass container and leave in a dark place.

Cloudberry jelly

To make this treat you will need the following ingredients:

• granulated sugar – 1 kilogram;
• berries – 900 grams;
• gelatin or agar-agar – 1 packet.

Step by step actions:

1. Rinse the harvest and leave to drain in a colander.
2. Pour granulated sugar into it.
3. Add the gelling agent diluted with warm water to the boiling mixture.
4. Cook for 25 minutes on low heat.
5. Place in a glass container and close tightly.

Cloudberry marshmallow

To create everyone's favorite healthy treat from childhood, you will need:

• 900-950 grams of berries;
• 600 grams of sugar;
• 50 grams of powdered sugar.

Recipe:

1. Grind clean dry berries.
2. Combine with granulated sugar.
3. Bring to a boil.
4. Spread into wooden trays in a thin layer – about 10 millimetres.
5. Dry.
6. Sprinkle with powder.
7. Leave to store in glass jars.

With such a wide selection of cloudberries available, you can enjoy them year-round, strengthening your immune system.