Dried foods are foods that have been partially or completely dried to prevent spoilage. They have had the nutrients preserved by heating the food to a point where it becomes dry but not completely so. Dried foods are commonly used for oven cooking, but they can be used for most types of cooking as well. There are many different types of drying methods available, and many different flavors and preparations.

Food dehydrating is a simple method of drying food which allows it to retain much of its nutritional value. Dried foods inhibit the growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria through the elimination of water present in the food. The moisture from the food dries quickly, resulting in an extended time from dehydration. The longer the food is dehydrated the lower the moisture level in it will be. When the moisture content is extremely low, this is called dry moisture, or dehydrated foods.

One of the common methods of drying foods uses what is called an alarm water. Alarm water is simply a solution of salt and water. The purpose of the alarm water is to create an environment where the harmful bacteria cannot grow. This method may be used for both foods that are naturally dry as well as those that have been lightly dehydrated through the addition of an alarm water solution soft dried coconut.

Dried fruits are one of the oldest methods of drying foods. They were first discovered by the ancient Egyptians. Dried fruits are those that have had the natural compounds in them stripped away by the process of heating. They can either be dried immediately after they are picked, or stored for later use in air tight glass containers.

Many people store dried foods in airtight plastic containers which are placed in the freezer. Cold temperatures will help retain vitamins and minerals more efficiently than warmth will. Vegetables that are picked when still slightly wet can be placed in an airtight container of their own and frozen until needed. Once they are completely cooled, they can be used as they are.

There are also many new safe preservatives being added to dried foods which did not exist a few years ago. These preservatives are necessary to ensure the foods are safe to eat. Many of the foods that are dried can go bad before they ever reach the shelf of the grocery store. However, by storing foods in the proper containers and with the proper preservation techniques, foods can last for years.