Quality food is essential to ensure our daily well-being. Here's how to make dehydrated fruit that's as healthy as it tastes good at home. As a snack, dessert or as an accompaniment to a dish, dehydrated fruits are delicious foods that are full of health benefits. Particularly appreciated by athletes, they provide the body with energy and boost physical exertion. In addition, their richness in micro-nutrients may prove to be necessary to prevent certain common diseases. People concerned about their health capital can sometimes spend astronomical sums to fill their cupboards with dietetic products. However, it is quite possible to prepare certain foods yourself, including dehydrated fruit. Learn the steps to take advantage of a myriad of benefits without breaking the bank.
Food plays a major role in a person's well-being. The connection between body and mind leads us to realize the importance of choosing the right foods for good health. Dried fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals but also in fiber. To fully enjoy their properties, you can learn how to prepare them at home.
What is the Difference Between Dried Fruit and Dehydrated Fruit
Dried fruits are low in water but remain particularly rich in nutrients essential for health. Among the dried fruits, we find nuts such as almonds, walnuts or even hazelnuts, but we also find what are called dehydrated fruits. These are soft and give the body a real boost, thus improving productivity and athletic performance.
However, dried fruits may contain pesticides and chemical fertilizers, thereby reducing their positive health effects. In addition, organic products can be sold at particularly high prices, which are not available to everyone.
How to prepare dehydrated fruits at home?
Dehydrated fruits have the advantage of being able to keep for a long time. To dehydrate the fruit, there are several possible tips.
A culinary dehydrator
The first is to use an electric food dehydrator. This device is available in several models on the market and remains very easy to use. It can dry different foods, such as fruits, vegetables, but also herbs, fish and meats, and helps extend shelf life.
A traditional oven
You can also dehydrate the fruit using a traditional oven. To do this you can use pineapples, kiwis, strawberries, bananas or even very thin sliced oranges. Then spread them out on a baking sheet. Make sure that your oven is heated to a maximum of 60 ° C while the fruit is cooking.
When you put them in the oven, leave the oven door ajar about 5 to 10 centimeters. If your oven has a fan, use it to suck water from the fruit. It is advisable to let the fruit cook at low temperature, as long as necessary. Usually, it is only after six to eight hours that the fruits become completely dehydrated.
Sun rays
If you opt for a more natural alternative, you can cook slowly and gradually under the sun's rays. Just cut the fruit into thin slices and then place them on a baking sheet in a sunny place. Air and heat can remove moisture from the fruit over time. In addition, the sun can offer a special sweetness to your food.
However, it is advisable to put a mesh cloth on the baking sheet to protect the fruit from flies and other parasites present in the garden. In addition, it is best to place the fruit indoors overnight. While this dehydration option is great, it can take a few days. For the more impatient, you might find what you are looking for in the first two alternatives.