Food Preservation Techniques: Why Get A Food Dehydrator?

As humans, we are considered the best problem solvers in the world. With our superior intellect (and opposable thumbs), we have created a different world than it was millennia ago.

We learned to thrive and survive even if we are at a physical disadvantage against other animals. We do not have fangs, thick fur, gills, or even wings to conquer the natural world.

However, we are now the dominant species on the surface of the earth. We are now considered as the apex predator, and our problem-solving skills are proven to be critical in the survival of the fittest.

One of the ways that we survived on this planet is how we handle food.

We, as humans, need food to survive. It can come from any source as long as it will not harm us. There are a lot of ways that we prepare different kinds of food depending on the region and availability of resources.

We have made a lot of techniques on how to handle these edible items. There are even animals that are supposed to be poisonous and yet we have found a way to eat them.

We have also learned how to cook vegetables and meat in so many different ways and styles. Creating meals that were filling yet still tasty is still the main goal of any home or professional cook. One of the most common methods of preparing dishes is preservation.

NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster...
13,167 Reviews
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster...
  • EVEN HEAT DISTRIBUTION: 600 watts of drying power provides even heat distribution; consistent drying that is four times faster than other food dehydrators
  • ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL: The adjustable temperature control (95°F -160°F) gives you the flexibility to achieve the best results when drying different foods that need varying temperature settings
  • EXPANDABLE TO 12 TRAYS: Comes with five (13 1/2″ diameter) trays and expands up to 12 trays so you can dry large quantities at once with no tray rotation needed; additional trays sold separately
  • EXPANDABLE TO 12 TRAYS: Comes with five (13 1/2″ diameter) trays and expands up to 12 trays so you can dry large quantities at once with no tray rotation needed; additional trays sold separately
  • ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: (2) Fruit Roll Sheet, (2) Clean-A-Screens, a sample of Jerky Seasoning & Cure, and (1) Care & Use Guide

Food Preservation Methods

There is a long history of preparing food for preservation and safekeeping. There are a lot of ways that we have discovered how to preserve fruits, vegetables, and even meat.

Salt and sugar have been used since time immemorial as food savers. They are considered as one of the most common preservatives and they can be found in any food item whether from factories or your nearest farmland.

It is inescapable and very useful stuff in the kitchen for flavor and as a preservative. However, at high amounts of consumption, they can be dangerous.

There are other preservatives in the market these days but most of them are derivatives of salt and sugar. Read more about this here: https://www.foodmatters.com/article/22-additives-and-preservatives-to-avoid.

Other popular techniques in preserving food include manipulating temperature. Storing food in colder environments for preservation has been around for ages.

Ancient civilizations, especially in colder areas, use ice to keep their stores of good quality for a longer period. They can even keep delicate food like fish and crustaceans as fresh as possible even without the aid of a modern refrigerator. They keep them under mounds of ice and save them for later in the day.

Nowadays, similar concepts apply to the modern fridge. Controlling the temperature is still very important when freezing food items as the too low or high temperature inside can still damage its quality and taste.

Another popular technique is drying. Usually, with the aid of strong sunlight, people spread their chosen food item under its heat to help it dry out all the liquid inside.

As most living things in this world has water, this also makes it easy for any food to go bad. This is inhibited by sun exposure, and you are left with a tougher yet longer shelf life kind of food.

With the aid of preservatives like salt, then its longevity for storage improves. Some items are even possible to keep for even a year, and the taste stays the same even after all the time that had passed by.

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COSORI Food Dehydrator...
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COSORI Food Dehydrator...
  • SOLD AND SHIPPED BY AMAZON: Please note that this product is not authorized for sale by other sellers, Amazon is the only authentic seller
  • DESIGNED IN CALIFORNIA: Dehydrated foods keep all their flavor and can be stored for longer. Comes with 6 Stainless Steel Trays, 1 Mesh Screen, 1 Fruit Roll Sheet, 1 Manual, and 1 Recipe. (search for C267-2MS or C267-FR to get more accessories)
  • STAINLESS STEEL: Made with food-grade stainless steel and glass front door. This dehydrator is perfect for making healthy beef jerky, snacks, fruit leathers, dog treats, bread crumbs, yogurt, and for preserving herbs, flowers, and much more
  • INSTEAD OF FREEZE DRYER MACHINE: Hot air circulation makes it possible to make delicious yogurt, jerky, dried fruit, and so on. Compared with a freeze dryer machine, this dehydrator can make more delicious food in less time
  • EASY TO USE: Use the digital control panel to set the timer in 30-minute increments for up to 48 hours. Make average-sized batches of dried foods with accurate temperatures between 95º℉-165ºF. Refer to 50 recipes designed for beginners by COSORI Chefs Team

However, not all places in the world are blessed with sunlight. Some places like Alaska even have shorter days but longer nights.

Sadly, these are the places that do need the dry foodstuff because those that are kept in the fridge can still rot even under low temperatures because of their water content.

Dried food lasts longer, which makes this ideal for places that do not have enough sunlight to let plants grow in abundance. This is why you need to have a food dehydrator. Even if you are not living in harsh conditions, having the best food dehydrator machines is good for your household. Here are some of the reasons why:

Healthier Snack Options

Dried fruit, vegetables, and meat are stapled snacks for any person no matter the age or gender. They are easy to eat and you can take a pack anywhere.

However, one of the biggest issues with prepackaged dry food is all the additives and preservatives that they put in it.

They do not just contain salt or sugar in high amounts, but other artificial flavorings. Some of them are not very healthy when taken every day.

If you have your dehydrator, then you can dry fruit, vegetable, or meat of your choice. You can also control the other stuff that you put into it. With this, you do not have to worry about other ingredients that can harm any human beings

Dried Food Anytime and Anywhere

With a dehydrator, you do not need to buy dried food from supermarkets. Most dried food that is considered organic is also very expensive.

You can buy a full meal for a pack of organic trail mix. You can now do other recipes with your dehydrator. You can mix and match the stuff that you want to create the perfect mixed bag of goodies.

If you have children, this also makes a perfect snack for them to bring to school. You can even bring some to work for your enjoyment.

Money Saver

Once you have your dehydrator, you can now save fruits and vegetables that are going overripe. It can be a bit boring if you will just turn all of them into jam and pickles.

With a dehydrator, you can make your chips and dried fruit. Nothing needs to go to waste which can save you money from your grocery expenses.