Dehydrating is the most convenient way to store foods. Canning takes a lot of time and work, and freezing requires a lot of space in your freezer. With dehydration, food can be stored anywhere cool and dry. And since dehydrated food shrinks, it is easier to take with you.
Dehydrating is also simple to do. Just cut and rinse your food, and put it in the dehydrator. In a few hours, the food will be dried and ready to eat or store for later.
Food drying dates back to ancient times when it was a necessity, not a culinary treat. Modern methods of food preservation through cooling, freezing, canning or pasteurization have almost replaced this ancient method. Despite all our food processing technologies, drying remains one of the most nutritious, safe, economic and taste-preserving way of food preservation.
Food dehydration: fast, economic, and easy!
Are you looking for healthier snacks for you or your kids? Do you grow your own fruits or vegetables? Do you like hiking or camping? If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, food dehydration could make your life easier and healthier. Dehydration is a simple food preservation technique which removes moisture, thus preventing the growth of organisms such as yeast cells and bacteria. There are a number of ways to dehydrate food, including using an oven, air-drying, and drying food in the sun. However, none of these methods works as effectively and efficiently as food dehydrators.
Dehydration removes water, concentrating natural fragrances, sweetness and aroma in your fruits. Dehydrators can be used for a number of food items, including:
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Herbs
- Meat
- Seeds
- Cheese
- Yogurt
You may think that food dehydration is a difficult process that involves many steps and requires lots of time. Actually the opposite is true. With a high-quality dehydrator such as an Excalibur or Sedona, food dehydration is considerably less time-consuming than bottling or freezing. In a few minutes, you can cut and arrange food items on the tray. Then you just turn on the dehydrator and let it do the work for you.
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Dehydrating is convenient and simple
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Dehydrated foods taste great and are healthy
By removing the moisture from food, dehydration concentrates the natural flavors. The result is sweeter and tastier foods. And unlike cooking which can destroy nutrients, the low temperatures used in dehydrating is gentle on ingredients. Best of all, the food is make is totally natural since you don't need to add sugar or preservatives.
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Dehydrating saves money
Dehydrating lets you buy fresh produce in bulk when it is in season and dry it for later. Compared to the cost of buying dried foods in a store, you can save a significant amount of money. And the process of drying consumes very little electricity, and doesn't require any energy for storage unlike freezing.
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Nutritional benefits of dehydrated fruits
According to the European Food Information Council, “soft” dried fruits (apricots, raisins, dates, figs, plums...) are rich in carbohydrates and low fat. They are source of vitamins, fiber, and minerals (vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, vitamin E, niacin, iron, magnesium, and more). Thanks to the high concentration of natural carbohydrates contained in a small amount of dried fruit, these foods are popular among athletes such as mountain bikers, triathletes, hikers, and runners to procide healthy energy. In addition, dried fruit is much higher in fiber than the same-sized serving of their fresh counterparts. This is important for proper digestion. Dried apricots, for example, contain 6. 5 g per cup, while fresh apricots contain just 3.1 g. Raisins are another example, with a cup of raisins containing 5.4 g of fibre versus just 1.4 g for seedless grapes.
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Dehydration benefits in a nutshell
1. Unlike canning or freezing, the dehydration method has a minimal impact on the food nutritious value. Vitamin A (beta carotene), carbohydrate, fibre, potassium, magnesium, selenium and sodium values do not change or decrease during drying. On the contrary, they become concentrated. Caloric values remain the same or higher; however, the fat and salt percentage decreases. Home-made dried foods are free of pesticides and chemicals.
2. Herbs, flowers, vegetables, fruits and meats can be preserved, stored, and consumed safely.
3. Stored properly, dehydrated foods have a longer shelf life than any other preservation methods. If properly sealed and left unopened, dehydrated foods can sit on your shelf for up to 20 years.
4. Thanks to their low volume, dehydrated foods save space in your pantry or cupboard.
5. Food drying is safer and less labour and time consuming than canning.
6. Home dehydration is also much less expensive than purchasing commercially dehydrated, packaged products.
7. Dehydrating your own fresh herbs and spices gives your favourite recipes an enhanced, potent flavour that commercially offered products are unable to deliver.
8. Thanks to their low weight and easy storage, dehydrated foods are great for picnics, camping, or trips.
9. The original food can be dehydrated and re-hydrated by adding water, broth or other liquids. You can make various soups using dried vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms.