1. **Raw Material Processing**: Fresh hawthorn fruits are carefully selected and inspected to remove any damaged, rotten, or insect-infested parts. The seeds are manually removed to ensure the fruit flesh remains intact as much as possible. This step is crucial for maintaining the quality and texture of the final product.
2. **Color Protection Treatment**: To preserve the bright red color of the hawthorns, a sulfur treatment is applied. In a sealed chamber with a volume of about 1 cubic meter, approximately 10 grams of pure solid sulfur is burned. This produces a sulfur dioxide concentration of around 1%, and the hawthorns are treated for 20 minutes. Afterward, they are ventilated thoroughly before proceeding to the next stage to ensure safety and quality.
3. **Translucent Sugar Process**: The hawthorns are first soaked in a 40% sugar solution. For every 100 kg of raw material, 30 kg of sugar is used to prepare the solution. A preservative (0.05%) is added to the sugar liquid to enhance shelf life. The process involves continuous heating and evaporation, allowing the fruit pulp to gradually absorb the sugar over a period of two and a half weeks. This results in a translucent appearance and a delicate sweetness. If a multiple permeation method isn't used, an alternative is the boiling method. In this case, the hawthorns are first soaked for 8 hours in a solution containing 0.1% alum and 0.1% sodium bisulfite. Then, they are cooked in a 40% sugar solution. While this method can produce transparency, the shorter cooking time limits sugar absorption, resulting in a less intense flavor compared to the multi-permeation technique.
4. **Drying**: Once the sugar infusion is complete, the hawthorns are removed from the solution and spread evenly on bamboo trays. They are then dried in a well-ventilated barn at a temperature of 65°C for 18 to 22 hours, until the moisture content reaches 18–20%. This drying process helps maintain the texture and prevents spoilage.
5. **Packaging**: The finished product is bright red or dark red in color, with a balanced sweet and sour flavor. It is packaged in clean, airtight containers to ensure freshness and has a shelf life of up to 9 months when stored properly.
This detailed process ensures that the hawthorns retain their natural flavor, color, and texture while being preserved for longer periods, making them ideal for both local consumption and commercial distribution.
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