Now that you have spent all that time and energy dehydrating your foods, you may be wondering how to store dehydrated food.
Whether you are harvesting from a garden, preparing for a camping trip, or preserving food so it doesn’t go to waste, storing dehydrated food will help you to enjoy the fruits of your labor for months to come. Proper preparation for long term storage is the key to helping your hard work last throughout the year. If you don’t have a dehydrator yet, here is a list of the best dehydrators under $100.
Some foods will maintain their quality and freshness longer than others. Make sure to read “How long does dehydrated food last” to see some of the differences.
Proper Preparation of Dehydrated Food For Storage
Proper preparation of food items for storage deals with two main things: moisture and oxygen. Removing these will reduce the chance of food spoiling. Fruits and vegetables stored at home will have a lower shelf life than commercially prepared items. You can safely store dehydrated fruits and vegetables at home for 1 year. Other types of food may have different storage lengths. Look at this article to see more details on how long dehydrated foods last.
To properly prepare dehydrated foods for storage, follow these steps:
1. First, make sure your dehydrated foods are cooled completely. If they are not cooled completely, they may have excess moisture that can spoil your food. Warm foods will cause moisture buildup in your container and be grounds for mold growth. Dried vegetables and herbs will be brittle and/or hard when they are completely dried. Other foods such as jerky and fruits will still be pliable, even though they are completely dehydrated.
2. Next, package dried foods in a dry and clean container. Canning jars, freezer containers, and bags are all good options. Vacuum packing is another great option if you have a vacuum sealer. It is best to package items in the amount that they will be used since opening the package will expose the products to moisture and air each time. Moisture and air will contribute to the deterioration of the food. Clear containers will allow you to monitor the foods inside without opening a package. You can check for moisture and mold easily through a clear container.
If you do not have a vacuum sealer, you will still what to remove as much oxygen as possible from the container. This can be achieved using oxygen packets. Removing oxygen ensures that no insects can survive and harmful bacterial cannot grow.
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3. Then, store foods in a dark and cool location. Basements and cellars are a great place for food storage. Do your best to find a storage location that avoids light and is cool throughout the year.
Since temperature greatly affects how long your food will last, the cooler the better. The optimum storage for dehydrated food is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures can potentially keep foods fresher longer. Higher temperatures will have the opposite effect and lower the length of time food can be safely stored.
Storing dehydrated foods in the freezer will ensure quality for the greatest amount of time. Dedicating a chest freezer to food storage is a great option. A chest freezer will block out light and keep your foods at a cold temperature. This would be ideal for helping your foods to last the longest they possibly can.
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4. Finally, store your foods away from light. Light can break down the enzymes in foods causing them to spoil. This is why dark rooms, basements, and cellars are good options for storing food.
Once your food has been packaged and stored, inspect it often for moisture, insects, and mold. If you packaged in clear containers, this is a simple job. Just scan the containers. If moisture appears in the container, you can re-dehydrate the item. If there are molds or insects, throw the food out.
Wrap Up
Dehydrating your own food can be fun and exciting. However, without proper storage, you may find yourself not getting to enjoy the fruits of your labors. The key to long-lasting storage is getting rid of moisture and air. Package foods in an airtight container using a vacuum sealer or oxygen packet. Store these containers in a dark and cool location. Store foods in quantities that you will use all at once since re-opening and sealing packages can cause your food to spoil faster.
