Dried food is secured in the flavor and supplements so that these foods can be relished all year round. Food drying is a method of food preservation in which food is dried. Examples of dried foods are powdered milk, jerky, potatoes in a box, dried beans and peas, vegetables, dried fruits, pasta, and rice. Food dehydrating is based on one core principle: Quickly remove as much moisture from the food as possible to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast. Dried food takes less energy, money, and time compared to the other food storage methods, such as freezing or canning. Mostly the perishable crops are dried to increase the shelf life and promote food security. The preservation of vegetables, fruits, grains, and cereals is based on Sun- and solar-drying techniques, which later were followed by controlled drying in hot-air ovens.
Dried food products, including such fast-growing vegetables as cabbage and broccoli, may be suitable for incomplete drying under these conditions because the nutrients are not removed from the vegetables during the drying process. When using solar drying to dry foods, it is best to place the container in direct sunlight for the longest period of time possible, at least two full days. The first step in the process of drying foods is to set the container in a shaded area. Sunlight will reduce the moisture level in the container. Next, it is important to add a little salt to the soil. This helps to make it more even and moist, which allows the nutrients and moisture to penetrate the roots of the vegetables. The next step is to cover the container to keep insects from getting to the roots during the drying time... Read more