The realm of food has always been a fascinating domain, whether in the culinary or farming sector. There are several things to consider for numerous foods in the produce, grain, meat, and dairy industries, such as whether they can rehydrate themselves or require dehydration.
Despite the purpose of preserving food for an extended duration, numerous individuals question which foods should not be dehydrated.
Which types of food are not suitable for dehydration?
Various foods that are often suggested for dehydration include moist and oily meats, as well as common dairy items like cheese and butter, along with fruits and vegetables such as avocados and olives. However, there are certain foods that can be dehydrated but are not recommended due to other specific factors.
Knowing which foods should not be dehydrated can simplify your cooking and grocery shopping. This knowledge can save you time and money, as well as provide insight into the nutritional value of each food.
What Foods Should Not Be Dehydrated?
Culinary experts and home cooks alike suggest that certain edibles should not be dehydrated. The concept of drying out food to extend its shelf life is appealing, but some items don’t fare well when subjected to this process and can spoil or even become hazardous, depending on the food.
Food items that are rich in fats, such as avocados and nuts, which are highly beneficial for the body, will lose their advantageous properties when dehydrated.
Therefore, presented below is an extensive inventory of numerous foods that must not be subjected to dehydration to ensure their original preservation:
Cheeses should not be dehydrated as it can cause them to go rancid or spoil, and also remove their nutritional value due to the loss of fat content. If you still want to dehydrate cheese, it is recommended to purchase specially dried cheeses from the grocery store instead of doing it yourself.
Butter & Milk
When it comes to dairy products, the same reasoning applies to not dehydrating cheese, milk, and buttery products. Dehydrating butter can cause Botulism, an illness that is more severe than food poisoning and can result in paralysis.
When it comes to cheese, the logic applied to milk is similar: cheese is made from liquid milk and has a considerable amount of fat. Dehydrating cheese can also result in an unpleasant rancid odor.
The common agreement is to avoid dehydrating dairy products.
Nuts
Nuts are rich in protein and fat, making them ideal for the body. However, walnuts, which are considered a superfood due to their health benefits, can lose their shine if they undergo dehydration. It is worth noting that nuts can be stored for extended periods without the need for dehydration.
Fatty & Lean Meats
Meats with a high-fat consistency, such as those mentioned in this article, are not suitable for dehydration. Although turkey and chicken can be dehydrated, it is not recommended as they will lose their fat content. Additionally, dehydrating fatty foods can cause them to spoil quickly.
Additionally, dehydrating foods that are not recommended can be dangerous and time-consuming. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for very lean meats if you intend to dehydrate them. For the rest of the foods, it is better to avoid dehydrating them altogether.
While eggs can be an exclusion to the general rule, it is advisable to avoid dehydrating them due to the extended time required for rehydration when using them in baking goods like pies and cookies or even creating slurries. Therefore, unless you are an expert in dehydration, it’s better to skip dehydrating eggs and opt for making nutritious scrambled eggs instead.
Avocados
Similar to the aforementioned nuts, avocados are a fruit with a high fat content and additional fatty acids like Omega-3. However, dehydrating them is not recommended as they don’t spoil but instead turn into a green mush resembling guacamole without its distinctive taste.
Store-Bought Condiments
When dehydrating store-bought condiments, it is crucial to consider the ingredients they contain, as many of them, including ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard bottles, have a high concentration of chemicals and sugar, which can lead to storage issues or even spoilage.
Ultimately, it poses a significant danger that few are willing to undertake, and it is preferable to leave these foods untouched and keep them in their original state on the shelf until needed.
Sodas, Water, & Juices
Dehydration is not recommended for these types of food.
If you want to preserve food that should not be dehydrated, the most effective methods are canning or jellifying them, as they can extend their shelf life significantly. However, it is unclear why anyone would choose to dehydrate these items, but it’s worth considering in general.
Foods You Can Dehydrate
Although there is an extensive inventory of foods that are not suitable for dehydration, it does not imply that all foods should be avoided.
Some foods can be dehydrated and preserved for extended periods while maintaining their nutritional value, but others require specific preparation and techniques before dehydration.
Fruits such as apples, bananas, and pears are suitable for dehydration, and it is recommended to spray them with lemon before the process to preserve their color and extend their shelf life.
Legumes, such as mushrooms, require specific attention when dehydrating. It is recommended to dry them beforehand and rinse some of them if necessary.
Berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries can be dehydrated effectively, although blueberries require some extra attention. Some people prefer to boil them first to make it easier to remove their skins before dehydration.
Leafy greens should be steamed or blanched before dehydrating to preserve their nutritional value and extend their shelf life.
Produce with low acid content, such as fruits and vegetables, should be steamed or blanched to maintain their nutritional value.
You can also check this video about “Food That Should Not Be Dehydrated”
