Cultured fruit leather is a great way to get beneficial bacteria into your kid's diet and makes a great snack to pack in lunches.
30 minutes
180 minutes
4
INGREDIENTS AND EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE AT CULTURES FOR HEALTH
Fermented Vegetable Kit
Water Kefir Grains
Water Kefir Grains
$15.74
Water Kefir Grains are live probiotics in the form of soft, jelly-like ‘grains’ from a cactus plant. When healthy and fed, these grains will continue to grow and multiply and produce an endless supply of water kefir.
Use Water Kefir Grains to make naturally gut-healthy, bubbly water kefir at home! It’s as easy as mixing sugar into water - our Water Kefir Grains will do the rest.
Don’t worry, the sugar isn’t for you. The grains will metabolize the sugar during the fermentation process and the final kefir water will be very low in sugar.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 to 3 pounds of fruit (apples, bananas, pears, berries, mango, kiwi, etc.)
- Spices to taste (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.)
- Sweetener to taste
- 2 Tbsp. whey or water kefir
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Prepare the fruit (core apples, remove unwanted seeds from other fruits, etc.) and cut up the fruit into manageable pieces.
- Process the fruit in a blender, food processor or food mill until the mixture is relatively smooth.
- Mix in the spices, sweetener, and whey or water kefir.
- Transfer to a quart jar, leaving at least an inch of headspace.
- Cover the jar with a tight lid, airlock lid, or coffee filter secured with a rubber band.
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Culture at room temperature (60-70°F is preferred) until desired flavor and texture are achieved, about 1-3 days. If using a tight lid, burp daily to release excess pressure.
HOW TO DRY THE FRUIT LEATHER:
- Spread the cultured fruit mixture on sheets of unbleached parchment paper or a silicon sheet that fits inside your food dehydrator, or on a baking sheet if using your oven. Tip: If the mixture is very watery, try straining the mixture through a tea towel or tight-weave cheesecloth to thicken it up a bit. The strained juice is delicious to drink and contains beneficial bacteria from the culturing process.
- Allow the fruit leather to dry overnight or for 8 to 24 hours. The exact length of time will depend on the temperature used and the thickness of the mixture. We recommend setting your oven or food dehydrator to 110°F or less to preserve the beneficial bacteria.
- The fruit leather is done when it is smooth and no longer sticky.
Store the finished fruit leather in an airtight container.
