How to dry oranges for decoration. Interesting ideas of using dried citrus fruits

What comes first when you see an orange? Naturally, you immediately feel its sweet and sour taste and peculiar aroma, reminiscent of the approach of Christmas. But if you show imagination, oranges can be used not only as a treat.

Decor of oranges and other citrus fruits

Throw dried slices in flavor tea is also an option. But what about a creative approach? The slice of an orange in a cut is similar to a bright sun, which is so scarce on a winter day. Let's learn to keep this beauty for a long time.

When you learn how to dry oranges for decor, you will be able to use the received material differently. In the interior, dried citrus slices look very natural and fresh. A variety of products and decorations with their use give the room a special flavor. To create such a decor, you can combine with oranges and slices and thinly peeled lemon peel, lime, fragrant cinnamon sticks, nuts, star anise spices or badyan.

How to dry oranges for decor?

The method of making bright dried lobules is not one. You can get citrus drying by different methods. The easiest option would be to use an electric dryer for vegetables and fruits. It has special modes, allowing for 18-24 hours to make absolutely perfect dried citrus without effort. Your task will be to cut evenly the oranges, spread out on pallets and turn the device on. Through the allotted time you enjoy the result.

One nuance of such drying is that the lobules can deform. Sometimes this is not a hindrance to the creative process, but still those who need absolutely flat circles, will have to choose a different method.

Sushim on the battery

The most popular way how to dry oranges for decor is to do this on a battery. This method will become feasible only in the cold season, when the heating works.

You will need the following for this procedure:

• corrugated cardboard;
• Clothespins (better office supplies, which are well clamped, but for lack of it you can use linen);
• awl.

Since all these attributes are found in any home, the method can be called cost-free, except that you will have to spend money on buying citrus.

The first thing you need to do when starting to work is to cut out of the cardboard two identical plates, about 10x30 cm in size. Next, we take an awl and holes in these cartons. The more holes there are, the better. We spread on one of the plates thinly sliced orange slices and cover with a second cardboard. At the edges it is necessary to fix the resulting "sandwich" clothespins. How many of them will be needed, see for yourself, the main thing is that the lobules are tightly pressed with paper and do not fall out during the drying process.

You can install the design both horizontally and vertically, inside the battery. This arrangement is even more convenient because heating occurs from two sides and at the same time it is possible to dry much more citrus rings.

By the time the process takes 2-3 days, depending on the thickness of the lobules and the intensity of the heating of the batteries.

So you learned how to dry oranges for decor at home. Agree that this procedure does not require large material costs and time. And as a result of bright, fragrant citrus rings, you can easily create your own masterpiece decorations, which will please both you and the guests of your house.

Helpful Tips

How to dry citrus slices for decoration? Discussion of this topic, especially actively begins on the eve of the New Year and Christmas holidays, when such decorations will be most appropriate. Here are some tips you can hear from craftsmen and fans of this business.

• When you remove oranges from drying, they can stick to corrugated cardboard. For separation, use a stationery knife.
• When working with dry oranges and other citruses, you need to be very careful, as they are very fragile and can break.
• How to dry oranges for decoration, so that they do not darken, but retain their bright color? Here the secret is quite simple. Before drying, the slices should be lowered for 10 minutes into a solution of lemon juice and water. After - get soaked with a paper towel and dry according to the instructions.

Where can I use dried oranges?

Probably, looking at the resulting dried "sunshine", you will not have problems with the implementation of creative ideas.

The very first thing that comes to mind is a Christmas decoration. Often dried citrus can be seen on the doorway of the coniferous wreaths. Actually it will decorate with orange slices Christmas tree toys or simply attach a loop to the citrus ring and hang it on the tree as an independent decoration. Sometimes craftsmen create whole orange garlands.

It is nice to receive gifts and is especially nice when the gift is packed with soul. If you decide to create a gift box yourself, you can use not only standard colored paper and ribbons, but also citrus slices.

Those who are engaged in scrapbooking, know that you can apply this decoration for finishing photo albums and hand-made notebooks.

The needlewomen have come up with this handmade photo frame, candles, flowerpots for indoor flowers and much more. Sometimes from such material even entire independent compositions are created. It is important to understand how to make dried citrus slices, and then where to apply them, fantasy will tell.