What first comes to mind when you see an orange? Naturally, you immediately feel its sweet and sour taste and a peculiar aroma reminiscent of the approaching Christmas. But if you show imagination, oranges can be used not only as a treat.
Decor from oranges and other citrus fruits
Throwing dried slices into aroma tea is also an option. But what about creativity? A slice of orange in the section looks like a bright sun, which is so lacking on a winter day. Let's learn how to preserve this beauty for a long time.
When you learn how to dry oranges for decoration, you can use the material in different ways. 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, slices and thinly sliced peels of lemon, lime, fragrant cinnamon sticks, nuts, star anise or star anise can be combined with oranges.
How to dry oranges for decoration?
A method of manufacturing bright dried slices is not one. You can get citrus drying by various methods. The easiest option would be to use an electric dryer for fruits and vegetables. It has special modes that allow you to make absolutely perfect dried citruses without effort in 18-24 hours. Your task will only be to cut the oranges evenly, put them on pallets and turn on the appliance. After the allotted time, enjoy the result.
One nuance of such drying is that the slices can be deformed. Sometimes this is not an obstacle to the creative process, but still those who need absolutely flat circles will have to choose a different method.
Dry on battery
The most popular way to dry oranges for decoration is to do it on a battery. This method will become feasible only in the cold season, when the heating is working.
You will need the following for this procedure:
- corrugated cardboard;
- clothespins (preferably clerical, which hold well, but for lack of clothes you can also use clothes);
- awl.
Since all these attributes can be found in any home, the method can be called cost-free, unless you have to spend money on buying citrus fruits.
The first thing to do when getting started is to cut out two identical plates from a cardboard approximately 10x30 cm in size. Next, take an awl and make holes in these cardboards. The more holes there are, the better. We lay out thinly sliced orange slices on one of the plates and cover with a second cardboard. On the edges you need to fix the resulting "sandwich" with clothespins. How many will be needed, see for yourself, the main thing is that the slices should be tightly pressed by the paper and 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 in that the heating takes place on both sides and at the same time much more citrus rings can be dried.
In time, the process takes 2-3 days, depending on the thickness of the slices and the intensity of heating the batteries.
So you have learned how to dry oranges for home decor. Agree that such a procedure does not require large material costs and time. And getting bright, fragrant citrus rings as a result, you can easily create masterpieces with your own hands that will delight you and guests of your home.
Useful 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 lovers of this business.
- When you peel oranges from drying, they can pester corrugated cardboard. Use a clerical knife to separate .
- 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 decor so that they do not darken, but retain their bright color? The secret here is quite simple. Before drying, the slices must be lowered for 10 minutes in a solution of lemon juice and water. After - blot with a paper towel and dry according to the instructions.
Where can I use dried oranges?
Probably, looking at the resulting dried "suns", 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 citruses can be seen on the overhead coniferous wreaths. It will be relevant to decorate Christmas tree slices with orange slices or simply attach a loop to a citrus ring and hang it on a Christmas tree as an independent decoration. Sometimes craftswomen create whole orange garlands.
It is nice to receive gifts and especially nice when the present is packed with soul. If you decide to create a box with a gift on your own, 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 such a decoration to decorate photo albums and handmade notebooks.
The needlewomen came up with decorating handmade photo frames, candles, flowerpots for indoor flowers and much more. Sometimes even whole independent compositions are created from such material. It is important to understand how to make dried slices of citrus, and then, where to apply them, fantasy will tell you.