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Reconstitution
Dried foods do not need to be reconstituted for consumption. Many
people prefer them in their dried state. If you want to reconstitute your
food, the basic guidelines are to soak food in unsalted water for 3-7
minutes and then prepare as usual. If you are boiling them, use the same
water they soaked in to preserve nutrients.
If you plan to soak foods for more than 1 hour, they should be placed in
the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth. One cup of dried vegetables
will reconstitute to about 2 cups. One cup of fruit will reconstitute to about
1 ½ cups. Reconstitution times will vary depending on the thickness and
the water temperature used. Warm water will speed reconstitution but
may result in flavor loss.
Food Drying Guide
The following charts are guidelines for the preservation of various
fruits, vegetables, and meats. Drying times will vary depending on room
temperature, relative humidity and moisture levels in the food you are
drying. If the moisture level is high, the drying time will be longer.
Keep in mind that drying times will be affected by the amount of food
placed on the trays. Over loading the trays will slow the drying times
and may produce poor results. When dehydrating foods, it is important
to occasionally check on the dryness of the product. If the product is not
thoroughly dried, mold may form during storage (See Food Storage). To
test for dryness, remove a piece of food from the dehydrator and allow
to cool to room temperature. Bend and squeeze the piece to check for
internal moisture.
