Is A Food Dehydrator an Investment?

Whether its raisins, beans or mango slices; dried foods are a firm diet favourite and a convenient ingredient to add to many recipes. Dried food can be put in baked food or they can add an extra kick to a stew. They have made it possible for us to keep foods beyond their perishable date, and in communities where electricity and refrigeration are a luxury, drying foods remain the best way to store food for longer without rotting or going bad. Food dehydration has been for in use for centuries; today the methods have become more sophisticated. In the past the sun was the dehydration agent for foods but with the strides in technology we have experienced there’s machinery that can do several day’s work in a matter of hours or even minutes. This website is the best place to examine if you have determined that this is something you could benefit from.

In the past, we could only consume the dried foods that were available on the supermarket shelves now with food dehydrators, we can turn more foods into the perfect ingredients for a dried food recipe. A food dehydrator comes in different forms but the basic idea is that the food is put into a chamber that is ventilated with fans of hot air that effectively cause the moisture and water content of the food to be drawn out, ultimately leaving the food dehydrated but still edible.

The dehydrator works for fruits, vegetables and meat but people get experimental and use the gadget for a plethora of other foods. This is the advantage of owning your own dehydrator-you get to experiment and create your own dried food recipe. Dried apple slices, for example, can be used in pie if they’re boiled with sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon and then baked after adding corn starch and lemon juice. Dried foods are also popular in making soups. The addition of water to the foods refreshes and replenishes so the soup will still be tasty even with the use of foods that have been put through a dehydrated. With this dried food recipe you won’t need to stick to certain ingredients, you have the freedom to make it the way you like it with foods you love.

Dried potatoes, corn, peppers, green beans, spinach and onions can be used for the soup-everyone’s favourite thing to eat on cold day or to cure a cold. In South Africa one of the nation’s favourite snack is actually a dried food. Biltong which is dried meat is placed in the heated chamber that strips it of moisture and then it is enhanced with spices, not only making it last longer but also making it taste better. Dehydrating the meat enhances the flavours and brings out a sharper taste to it. Having a dehydrator in the comfort of your home makes it possible to create these flavours for yourself.

Different brands offer dehydrators but 4 common and frequently purchased models are the Excalibur 4 Tray or 9 Tray, Ezidri Ultra Dehydrator and the Ezidri Snackmaker. While the drying of food is an ancient practice-today it has been updated and modernised with machines and methods that have made it possible for people to successfully carry the practice out in their own homes, making it accessible to everyone.

Posted By Eric M. Ortega

About Dried Fruits: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to three commonly asked questions about dried fruits:

What are the benefits of eating dry fruits?

People who eat dried fruits often enjoy many benefits. Four major ones include: First, like ordinary fleshy fruits, dried ones have a high nutritional value. Because of their low water content, dehydrated fruits are a rich source of natural sugars. For those who want to enjoy a palatable snack, while satisfying their sweet tooth at the same time, substituting fresh with dried fruits is a promising option. If dried well, fruits are a good source of vitamins such as potassium and vitamin C, which help to boost the immune system. Their vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin E concentrations are also vital for maintaining normal body functions such as regeneration of body cells, RNA, and DNA production. Finally, because of their low water content, high fiber, and high iron levels, dry fruits help to regenerate Red blood Cells (RBCs). They also expand the digestive tract and surpress hunger cues, which is essential when trying to lose weight fast and keeping many digestive problems (constipation, etc.) at bay. Finally, compared to fresh fruits, dry ones have a long shelf life. If stored well, they can stay fresh for around six months to a year.

How can one prepare dried fruits?

Even though dried fruits are readily available online, in supermarkets, and in brick and mortar shops, you can easily prepare your own if you have the requisite equipment and time. Buy your fruits and follow these simple tips, for best result: One of the easiest ways to dehydrate fruits is to bake them directly under the sun. Slice your fruit(s) into small pieces and place them under the sun. Let the slices dry to your desired level. Though effective, drying fruits under the sun distorts their flavor. The sun also degrades essential nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium, lowering the nutritional value of your end product. For the best results, cut your fruit into small slices and dry them on a pan in an oven under low heat (around 120 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit), until they are chewy. You can also buy a good quality commercial dehydrator offline or on the Internet and use it to prepare your fruity treats.

What should one consider when buying dried fruits?

If you consider drying fruits at home an arduous task and you have decided to buy a package from a store in your locality, look out for the following attributes to increase your chances of getting the best. First, check if the fruits used in your preferred package are of high quality. As the saying goes, quality yields quality and vice versa. Second, check the method used to prepare your package of dried fruits. As highlighted earlier, avoid buying fruits dried directly under the sun for long. Most of the time, their nutritional value is low. You should also avoid buying fruits dehydrated using harsh chemicals and additives such as sulphates. They are not tasty, have a low nutritional content, and most importantly, might be harmful to your health. Research well (both offline and online), compare products that are available in the market, and then buy a brand loved my many for its excellent taste, safety, and quality.