Best Dehydrated Food and Equipment for Home Dehydrating

Finding healthy and nourishing food throughout the year isn’t always easy, especially in colder seasons. In the winter, most succulent fruits and vegetables are out of season, making them an expensive option when you go to the grocery store. One alternative that is worth considering is dehydrated food. Dehydrated food is available throughout the year and in many different varieties. Dehydrated food has almost the same nutritional value as fresh fruits and vegetables and is easy to store and consume. In the article below we list some of the best dehydrated foods available and make the case for why dehydrated food is worthy of your consideration as a convenient and healthy snacking option.

Pell Research points out that the dehydrated food industry has been seeing an upward trend in the United States in the past few years, meaning that the demand and popularity of dehydrated food are also growing. If you are new to the world of dehydrated food, below is an overview of everything you need to know about this healthy option.

Overview of dehydrated food

Dehydrating food is a practice that has been around for centuries as an effective food preservation technique. While this may be part of the reason food dehydration is popular today, it is also used as a convenient way to enjoy a health conscious snack.

The nutritional value of dehydrated food depends on the dehydration process that takes place. Dehydration is the process of removing the moisture from the food. How this process takes place can have a significant effect on how much nutritional value your food retains. The best practices include sun-drying, microwave ovens, and electric dehydrators.

Almost any food can be dehydrated. Dried fruits are perfect for snacking while dried vegetables are a good option in soups and stews. It is also important to note that the vitamins and minerals stay intact.

Dehydrated food companies

When choosing dehydrated food, it is important to choose a company that provides you with quality products and that have a high nutritional value content and flavor. Below is an overview of which companies offer the best selection and quality in dehydrated foods and a short description regarding each company:

Harmony House Foods

If you’re looking for a large selection of dehydrated beans and vegetables, then Harmony House is one of the best solutions available. The products are provided in bulk, making them an economical option. The vegetables and the beans are picked at their peak and immediately dehydrated, which means that they retain their nutritional value and flavor.

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Packit Gourmet

This company specializes in nutritious and easy to use and store dehydrated food. One unique thing about Packit Gourmet is that it has dehydrated food mixes. The benefit of a food mix is that you can get specialty dried foods such as vegetable blends, yogurt powder, and bell pepper mixes to name just a few. These are highly valuable for those that are looking for a convenient and straightforward way to get nourishing food for the body and the soul.

Rainy Day Foods

This particular vendor has a vast selection of dehydrated fruits and vegetables. It’s dehydration methods utilize technology that works to minimize heat exposure as to protect the food’s nutrients.

Dehydrated food recipes

While you can easily purchase dehydrated food online, you can also conveniently make it at home as well. You can be quite creative when it comes to dehydrated food recipes. For example, you can make:

• Banana chips
• Butternut squash chips
• Fruit leather
• Jerky (for various meats)
• and so much more.

There are literally hundreds of recipes available at websites such as http://momwithaprep.com/101-dehydrating-recipes/

Another array of recipes that are very easy to make and also delicious are those offered by The Camp Gal . These recipes are unique in that they suit individuals that are looking to use the food for the purpose of camping. The recipes outline how to dehydrate the food and how you can reverse it back into a delicious and hearty meal for your camping adventures. You don’t strictly need to use these recipes solely for camping either. They are also applicable for everyday use.

Top dehydrators

If you’re thinking of using a dehydrator in your home and doing the process yourself, then you’re going to need a decent quality dehydrator to get the job done. The options below are both high-quality and quite affordable.

Nesco FD-75PR 600-Watt Food Dehydrator

This particular product is an excellent choice if you are concerned with maintaining the nutritional value of your food. It achieves high-nutrient food by blocking UV light. You can also dehydrate many foods together without worrying that the flavors will mix. The product itself is very compact, it is easy to clean, the temperature is adjustable, and the trays do not need to be rotated.

L’Equip Filter Pro 530-Watt Food Dehydrator

This model utilizes air filtering to dehydrate the food, which means that no heat destroys the nutritional value. It can accommodate up to 20 trays, it is energy efficient, and it comes with a 24-month warranty.

Weston VegiKiln 600-Watt Food Dehydrator

The Weston Vegikiln is by far the costliest option among the three options listed. If you need to dehydrate food in bulk, then this is the model for you. The rear mount dries food evenly, the trays do not need to be rotated, it utilizes a high amount of energy, it is very light, compact, and also energy efficient. With this product, you can dry your food with ease.

Summary

Whether you are dehydrating food to preserve your health or to help you cook a quick and nutritious meal for your family, you will be able to enjoy any fruit or vegetable that you like throughout the year and with ease. The variety and types of recipes that you can make with dehydrated food are endless. Also, dehydrated food becomes especially handy if you are an active individual that is looking for a good healthy snack while enjoying the outdoors.