Have you ever wondered why some people eat dried fruit? The technique of preserving food by drying it has been around for centuries, and more and more people are starting to realize the
health benefits that dried food can offer. Food dehydration removes the moisture, but maintains the flavor. You can dehydrate almost anything, from fruits to nuts, and vegetables to fish. So keep reading, and then start munching, because this article is tasty!
What Is It?
Dehydration is the process by which moisture is removed from food products. By removing the moisture, the food is preserved and the chances of the food rotting are minimized. This process also reduces the weight of the food, which is important for people who need to pack a lot, but want to limit the weight – like campers, astronauts, etc. Large food processors can add chemicals to the food to lock in even more freshness, but you can still dry your own fruit, nuts, and other food products at home and maintain excellent taste and texture.
How Do You Do It?
The odds are good you are not a large, multinational food company or a farmer, so we will look at the most common ways the average person dries food. The first thing you need to purchase is an electric food drier. Some of these driers come with multiple levels, so that you can dry different foods at the same time. Although you can dry foods ‘naturally’ – like sun-dried tomatoes – electric driers work at a higher temperature and keep the air flowing, both necessary components of a quick dry. The quicker the drying process occurs, the less chance there is of food rotting. But you can even use your oven to dry foods; so don’t feel as though you have to purchase a new gadget in order to try this out.
Here is a basic synopsis of the process you should follow.
- Select the food you want to dry. Several people suggest you blanch the foods first, which helps to lock in flavour, texture, and color. You do this for a short period of time, and then cut the vegetables/fruits into smaller pieces.
- Put the food into the drier, and then follow the recommended time for that particular food. If you are using the sun, then you should start in the morning and let the food dry over the course of the day.
- Store the foods in airtight containers so that you can eat them when you need them.
What Can I Dry?
Here is a list of the most common foods people dehydrate:
Fruit Leather: This is a homemade form of a fruit rollup, and it can be made from practically any type of fruit. Aside from being very healthy, fruit leather can be made without sugar. Plus, you can use anything, from pulp to frozen fruit, to make your leather.
Fruits & Vegetables: Although some pretreatment is highly recommended, fruits and vegetables can be dried and preserved so that they are edible for months and years afterwards. Minimal nutrient loss occurs during the drying process, but you can reconstitute the foods to be eaten at a later date. Most fruit can be eaten as is, but you will most likely be adding water and cooking the vegetables for later consumption.
Herbs: Dried herbs are extremely potent, and they last forever. Just make sure you store them in an airtight, dry container, and you can use the herbs for a long time. Because they are so easy to dry, herbs are a popular item for dehydration fans.
Jerky: Yes, those tasty beef jerky treats you buy at the store on your way home from the bar are made of real meat – usually from beef, pork, venison or smoked turkey breast. Poultry is not a recommended source for jerky, nor is ground beef. But the other meats are popular choices, as the meat will stay good – if properly packaged – for a very long time. Part of the preparation process requires partially frozen meat to be briefly boiled and then marinated for a few hours prior to drier placement. The dried meat must be vacuum sealed, or packed in some other airtight container. The meat should stay safe for two weeks at room temperature, longer if you freeze or refrigerate it.
Packaging and Storing Dried Foods
There are some easy steps to follow that will increase the longevity of your dried foods.
- Once they are completely dried, store the foods immediately in airtight containers. Be wary of mice and insects! If you have glass jars, use them. You can always transfer the food to plastic bags for you camping trips.
- Try not to open the containers more than once. Pack enough in each container so that you use it all at once, as moisture and air will invade the container every time it is opened. The air will increase the chances of food deterioration.
- Keep your dried foods in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight. You want the temperature to remain constant, like you would in a wine cellar. Lower temperatures increase the longevity of storage.
- Excellent storage conditions equal excellent food storage length. When done properly, most dehydrated foods will last up to one year after dehydration. You can still eat foods that have a little moisture, but throw out food that has mold.
Health Benefits of Dehydrated Foods
The most obvious benefits of drying your own foods come from increasing the length of time that you can eat your homegrown fruits and vegetables. Rather than relying on store-bought fruits and vegetables, which are laden with pesticides and other preservatives. You can now grow your own food, which is cheaper and healthier. Dehydrate what you don’t eat, and then you can have healthy food all year long. A jar of banana chips tastes great, and you do not load up on the salt and transfats of potato chips. Food and veggies are loaded with antioxidants, and the dehydration process takes very little away from the nutrient load. Increased
health benefits and you save money – do you need more reasons?
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