Drying food to increase its longevity has been part of the human experience for thousands of years. Ships in the Age of Exploration carried raisins on board, soldiers in the Civil War carried salt pork, and today, many people grab a bag of beef jerky at a gas station before embarking on a road trip.
Although the health benefits of dried food have long been discussed, there are a more few reasons why home dehydrating is becoming a hot topic. In such a busy world, fast, convenient food has been prized, but people are also searching for quick, healthy options too. Dehydrated fruits, vegetables and meats retain their vitamins and flavors for an easy, healthful snack.
Advertisement
Five key benefits of dehydrating food
1. When you cook at home, you control the taste and the ingredients. Store-bought dried foods occasionally have additives such as salt and preservatives that aren’t required in at-home dehydrating. Furthermore, you have the artistic license to flavor foods as you wish.
1. When you cook at home, you control the taste and the ingredients. Store-bought dried foods occasionally have additives such as salt and preservatives that aren’t required in at-home dehydrating. Furthermore, you have the artistic license to flavor foods as you wish.
2. Pre-packaged snack foods, especially dried fruits and vegetables, are expensive. Creating these snacks at home cuts down grocery bills and ensures a stockpile of healthy goodies.
3. Dried food is significantly lighter and takes up less space, making it a practical option for packing and storage. When sealed properly, dried food is shelf stable but doesn’t take up the same storage space that canned fruits and vegetables require.
4. Without the water weight, they are light and portable, making dried foods an easy on-the-go snack for busy people. The fiber and carbohydrates are concentrated in the dried food, so portions are generally smaller. Snack-sized bags can be tucked into backpacks, briefcases and carry-on bags.
5. By extending the life of fresh foods, dehydrating cuts down on food waste. Drying fruits, vegetables and herbs from summer’s bounty can reduce waste from a bumper crop and brings that taste of summer into the winter.
Tools for dehydration
- Sharp knife
- Blender (optional, for making fruit leathers)
- Food processor (optional, for slicing fruits and vegetables evenly and quickly)
- Dehydrator ($50 to $500)
- Sharp knife
- Blender (optional, for making fruit leathers)
- Food processor (optional, for slicing fruits and vegetables evenly and quickly)
- Dehydrator ($50 to $500)
Getting started: Which foods to try dehydrating and why
Because dehydrating food concentrates its flavors, always choose ripe, healthy foods to dry. Fruits and vegetables from farmers’ markets or a home garden are especially tasty because they are picked at the peak of freshness.
Because dehydrating food concentrates its flavors, always choose ripe, healthy foods to dry. Fruits and vegetables from farmers’ markets or a home garden are especially tasty because they are picked at the peak of freshness.
Advertisement
Try sweet potatoes or kale to make your own chips; dried watermelon as a sweet treat; strawberries, cherries and apples; and banana chips, which are
tasty on their own or added into granola or trail mix.
tasty on their own or added into granola or trail mix.