How to Make Dried Fruit Potpourri

Dry fruit to make your own homemade potpourri.

Potpourri infuses a home with an enjoyable aroma. Instead of purchasing potpourri at the store, you can make your own at home. Fruit allows you to customize your potpourri because you can choose your favorite fruits. Once you make your fruit potpourri, give it away to your friends and family members to let them enjoy the fresh smell.

Things You'll Need

• Fruit
• Fruit peels
• Knife
• Cookie sheet
• Rack
• Zipper locked bag
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. sweet spices

Instructions

Prepare the Fruit

1. Cut citrus peels such as orange and lemon into small pieces no larger than ½-inch wide. Cut them into thin slices no larger than ¼-inch thick.

2. Slice apples, peaches and pears into thin slices no larger than ¼-inch thick. Save the peels and dehydrate these as well to add to your potpourri.

3. Arrange the sliced fruits and peelings onto a cookie sheet. Do not allow them to touch.

Dry the Fruit

1. Place the cookie sheets with the fruit in the oven. Set the oven for 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Leave the fruit in the oven for 2 hours. If the fruit begins sizzling, turn the temperature down, or leave the oven door cracked to prevent the fruit from cooking.

3. Check on them to see if they are dried. Remove pieces of fruit and squeeze them. If no moisture comes from the fruit and they feel rubbery, then you can set them off to the side for potpourri.

4. Remove the fruit from the oven.

5. Set the fruit on a rack to cool.

Make Fruit Potpourri

1. Place all of the dried fruit into a zipper lock plastic bag.

2. Place 1 tbsp. of salt and one 1 tbsp. of sweet spices into the bag. Use spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and cloves.

3. Shake the bag to spread the spices over the fruit.

4. Allow the potpourri to set overnight.

5. Place the fruit potpourri in a container to enjoy the aroma.

Tips & Warnings

• Add other items to your fruit potpourri. Dry rose petals, pine cones and nut shells are all items that will add color and texture to the potpourri.

• Instead of using ground spices, soak the dried fruit slices in an essential oil. You can purchase essential oils at craft stores.

• If you decide to sell your potpourri, place a warning label on it to let people know that the fruit slices are not edible.

References

• Gardening Tips 'N Ideas: Make Poutpourri From Your Garden
• Floras Recipe Hideout: Make Your Own Fruit Potpourri at Home
• Holistic Mama: How to Dry Fruit

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish