How to make Kamias Candy

Kamias fruits have many uses, it is use for  food seasoning, preserves, jam, pickles and candies.   Kamias can be use as well as in cleaning hands and removing stains from clothing.  Even the Kamias juice is made into syrup and can cure fever, hemorrhage, beri-beri and cough. The  leaves can also be heated and applied to skin itches and irritations.

Now, we will try to make a Kamias Candy, a healthy dessert or snack which is an excellent substitute for imported prunes.  It is a good home business to start with a low capital investment.  A 100-gram pack of candied kamias sells at P3.00 (wholesale) and P3.50 to P 4.00 (retail).  Usually, small- time producers sell their products to wholesalers and large retailers such as groceries and supermarkets.  Candied kamias can be sold on cash or on a consignment basis.

The country is now exporting candied fruits to 23 countries.  But at present, there is minimal production of candied kamias even among local consumers.

How to make Kamias Candy

Procedure:

To make candied kamias, begin by sorting fruits according to size and eliminating the spoiled or damaged ones.

1. Weigh and wash the fruits.
2. Soak them overnight in lime solution (one tablespoon lime per one liter of water). This process will firm up the fruits. Again, wash thoroughly in running water to remove lime.
3. Blanch fruits in boiling water for three to five minutes and drain.
4. Prick the bottom part of kamias with a fine toothpick and press each fruit lightly to remove some of the fruit juice.
5. Prepare syrup (2 parts sugar to one part water), boil it and strain.
6. Add the kamias to the syrup and boil them for five minutes and soak overnight.
7. Remove the fruits and add one cup sugar to the syrup and boil. Then add kamias again and heat for five minutes.
8. Soak the fruits overnight.
9. The following day, remove fruits and add some more sugar to the syrup. Then, add kamias again and boil for five minutes.
10. Allow to cool; drain and weigh.
11. Arrange kamias on a tray and dry in the solar dryer.
12. After drying, weigh again and pack in plastic bags and seal.

PRESERVED KAMIAS

Materials:

• Sugar
• Kamias (medium sized)
• Lime (apog)

Utensils:

• Measuring cups Colander or salaan
• Spoon Rolling pin
• Kettle Jars

Procedure:

1. Select large, firm kamias.
2. Soak in lime water (1 tsp. lime or “apog” to a liter of water) overnight. Wash and remove caps.
3. Boil in plenty of water using a stainless steel or enameled kettle.
4. Drain and press each fruit lightly to remove excess water.
5. To 2 parts of sugar add 1 part of water and boil in stainless steel or enameled kettle.
6. Add the kamias to this syrup and boil for about 15 minutes.
7. Drain. Pack kamias in sterilized jars and pour syrup.
8. Remove air bubbles.
9. Seal completely and process in 227 ml. jars for 20 minutes in boiling water. Reseal completely and cool.

Source: region10.dost.gov.ph; Photo: agripinoy