Jujube Processing Technology
1. Process Flow Frozen Monkfish,Fresh Frozen Monkfish,Delicious Frozen Monkfish,Good Fresh Frozen Monkfish Zhoushan Junwei Aquatic Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.junweiaquatic-intl.com
The production of black dates follows a well-structured sequence: material selection, washing, boiling, smoking, packaging, and finally, the finished product. Each step is crucial in ensuring the quality and flavor of the final item.
2. Key Operational Steps
2.1 Material Selection and Washing: High-quality raw materials are essential. Only ripe, fresh purple-skinned jujubes are chosen, while damaged, insect-infested, or unripe fruits are discarded. After selection, the jujubes are thoroughly washed with clean water and drained to remove excess moisture.
2.2 Boiling the Jujubes: The washed jujubes are placed in a boiling pot and cooked in water. Constant stirring ensures even cooking. Once done, the jujubes are quickly transferred to cold water to rapidly lower the temperature, causing them to shrink and develop a soft, fine texture. If the texture is not satisfactory, they must be re-cooked until the desired consistency is achieved. Afterward, any surface moisture is removed.
2.3 Smoking: This stage is critical for developing the color and distinctive flavor of black dates. The cooked jujubes are placed on a smoke kiln and covered with a mat. The process begins with higher heat to gradually evaporate moisture, and after about three hours of smoking, the heat is reduced to prevent burning. Too much heat can cause uneven coloring and loss of flavor, while too little may result in under-smoking.
During the entire smoking process, the flame height should not exceed 0.65 meters. If the fire becomes too intense, water can be sprinkled on the wood to reduce the heat and increase smoke production. The ideal temperature range is between 60°C and 70°C. The smoking process typically lasts 12 hours—6 hours of active burning followed by 6 hours of residual heat. This allows for continuous moisture evaporation. Depending on the size and quality of the jujubes, they may need to be smoked multiple times, with each session gradually reducing the moisture content until it reaches 30% to 45%.
For fuel, poplar wood is the preferred choice due to its mild aroma and good results. Willow is used as a secondary option, while other woods may produce inferior color and flavor. Resinous woods like pine should be avoided, as they can negatively affect the taste and appearance of the final product.
3. Quality Requirements
The finished black dates should have a uniform size, a deep purple-black color, a fine and compact texture, a pure and natural taste, and no off-odors or impurities. These standards ensure that the product meets high-quality expectations and is suitable for consumption.