Dried Food; a Method of Food Preservation That Works By Removing Water from the Food

 

Dried foods can be characterized as having a water activity below 0.6, which inhibits microbial growth, provided that the packaging and storage conditions prevent moisture pick-up by the product. Examples of dried foods are powdered milk, jerky, dried beans and peas, dried fruits and vegetables, pasta, potatoes, and rice. Drying is the world's oldest and most common method of food preservation. It is both simple and readily available to most of the world's culture. Food is secured in the flavor and supplements so that these foods can be relished all year around.

Because the dehydration process concentrates calorie and sugar content, dried foods can offer a more effective energy boost than other snacks. Drying makes them last longer and keeps them safe to eat. Nutrition-wise, food stays mostly the same, although the drying process can destroy vitamins and calorie count can rise as the food shrinks and nutrients become more concentrated. Dried foods are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Dry fruits are high in vitamins, proteins, minerals, and dietary fiber, making them a tasty and healthy snack.

Dried food preservation is a modern method of preserving food where the food is dried in an airtight container. Food drying involves many different techniques and products that have been developed over time. Dried food protection has been used by many cultures throughout history for the purpose of preserving food for long periods of time, as well as to prevent spoilage. Dried food is used for oven drying, dehydrating, smoking, and even pickling. Complete drying of the products usually involves high temperatures and extended durations.

Dried food is a key ingredient for traditional home cooking in Japan, and are used for everyday life by millions of individuals around the country. Amano Foods is Japan's pioneer of freeze-dried foods, and has developed, manufactured, and sold freeze-dried goods for over 30 years, and working on developing freeze-dried products that are said to be difficult.