Dried foods are those that have been processed and preserved without having been kept at full term. The process of drying foods has been around since ancient times when it was necessary to do such things as distillation and freezing. Dried fruits and vegetables are very old recipes that have undergone many stages of processing. Dried foods can be used in place of other dried foods or they may be used in conjunction with them. Dried foods are not at all different from their fresh counterparts; they are just processed differently. When you eat dried foods, you are preserving that original freshness.
Dried foods are dried without the use of water as an approach to food preservation. Drying involves the physical removal of moisture from the food. Moisture is one of the natural enemies of our health and the elimination of it helps us live longer and healthier lives. Dried foods are devoid of this moisture and therefore require no added water to bring about their process of drying. Drying also inhibits the development of mold, yeasts, and bacteria through the removal of most of the water from them. Dried foods are also considered to be good for our health because, through the drying process, we are removing unhealthy components and compounds from our diets, including some that are considered carcinogens, heavy metals, and pesticides.
There are many advantages to dried foods that make them the preferred method of preservation. Dried fruits, for example, have a long shelf life; they maintain their moisture for prolonged periods of time and are often eaten months after they are dried and stored. Dried vegetables are also stored for extended periods of time, but once they are cut into strips or chunks, they lose most of their moisture. Dried meats are also available in stores dried foods are often used in place of canned meats and other dried meat products soft dried coconut.
Another benefit of storing dried foods is that they contain very little in the way of chemicals and additives. Often times, store bought products contain a great deal of salt, sugar, and water, all of which are known to trigger the formation of mold and other harmful organisms. By choosing to store your dried fruits, vegetables, and meats in their own individual packages, you are reducing the amount of preservatives, colorings, and added moisture found in store bought products. Also, by drying your own food, you are eliminating any potential mold or other harmful organisms that could be growing within your food. Because of this, you are able to significantly extend the shelf life of your chosen dried foods.
Dehydrated Foods: The drying of dehydrated foods is different than the other methods. While some foods such as fruits and vegetables can be simply placed into a vacuum sealer and placed into a storage freezer, meat and fish will not work quite as well. When dehydrating your own dried foods, you will want to follow the directions to the letter and make sure to check for moisture content. If the moisture content is less than 50%, you will want to place your dried item into your freezer for future use.
Dried fruits: Dried fruits are fantastic ways to get the most nutrients possible out of every piece of fruit you decide to pick up. While they will still need to go through a process before being added to your refrigerator, the nutrients will be released when the fruit is exposed to air. For this reason, dried fruits are extremely shelf friendly and have the ability to deliver high amounts of nutrients to your table faster than their fresh counterparts. Also, dried foods are much higher in fiber and other beneficial nutrients that are important to maintaining good health.
