Drying time and specific energy consumption of drying differed
subject to the applied drying methods and conditions (Table 2).
HAD of rawand frozen/thawed blueberries at 60 C was found to be
most time consuming, and it lasted 27.00 ± 0.08 h and
23.42 ± 0.05 h, respectively. Presumably, at such a low temperature,
hot air was unable to overcome thewax barrier and quickly remove
water from berry fruits. In HAD, the increase in air temperature led
to a significant decrease in drying time and specific energy consumption
(Table 2). An increase in air temperature from 60 C to
80 C shortened drying time by approx. 65% and decreased specific
energy consumption by approx. 60%.