The importance of proper drying
Proper drying is necessary to preserve the quality and extend the shelf life of hazelnuts. After harvesting, hazelnuts contain a high level of moisture. If hazelnuts are not dried, excess moisture leads to microbial growth, mold, and enzymatic reactions that degrade the flavor, texture, and overall quality of the nuts. In addition, humidity also causes hazelnuts to turn bitter by oxidizing their healthy fats. To prevent this, hazelnuts must undergo a drying process.
A popular drying method is drying hazelnuts in the sun
Traditional sun-drying involves laying out hazelnuts outdoors for natural drying. Although this method is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, it is highly dependent on weather conditions. Unpredictable weather can lead to uneven drying, contamination, and longer drying times, increasing the risk of mold and spoilage.
Given that hazelnuts must be constantly stirred during the drying process, additional workers must be hired to perform this work. But even in this case, the drying process is uncontrolled due to the difficulty of control and the human factor.
Industrial dryers - a solution to drying problems
The limitations of traditional drying methods have led to the development of advanced industrial drying technologies that aim to overcome these problems. Industrial dryers offer a number of advantages that can significantly improve the quality, shelf life, and market value of hazelnuts.
Uniform drying: industrial dryers are equipped with heating and air flow systems that ensure uniform drying of the entire batch of products. This eliminates the risk of uneven moisture content and minimizes the chance of mold or spoilage.
Controlled drying: These dryers provide precise temperature control, reducing the risk of nutrient loss and flavor degradation. Dryers have recommended temperature limits of 36-37 C, this is the temperature that ensures proper gradual drying of hazelnuts without the risk of frying them. Hazelnuts retain their natural taste, texture, and nutritional value.
Reduced drying time: Industrial dryers reduce drying time compared to traditional methods. Drying hazelnuts takes from 1 to 3 days, depending on the initial humidity of the hazelnuts and the dryer model.
Proper drying is a mandatory stage of post-harvest processing of nuts. The effect of improper drying on the shelf life and market value of hazelnuts cannot be underestimated. Traditional drying methods have their drawbacks and industrial dryers appeared as a solution to these problems. Thanks to uniform drying, controlled environment and reduced drying time, industrial dryers play an important role in commercial hazelnut orchards, maintaining their quality and increasing market value.