Dehydrated potatoes are made into powder, flakes, or granules and used in packaged and food service foods, as ingredients in other food products, and even in industrial applications. They have a longer shelf life and are lighter, resulting in lower shipping costs. They are made by peeling, washing, cutting, blanching or steaming, and then drying in large industrial dehydrators. They can be further processed into instant potatoes, potato flour, and other food products.
Dehydrated potatoes have been thoroughly dried and then made into powder, very fine flakes or granules, although they can also be dried as potato slices, cubes or shreds. Dehydrated or dried potatoes are used in packaged and food service foods, as ingredients in other food products, and even in industrial applications. Millions of US tons (1 US ton = 0.91 tons) of potatoes are dehydrated by industry each year, and many people also dehydrate their potatoes at home.
Any potato product that has had its moisture removed can be called dehydrated potatoes. Most are processed by large industrial plants that package them in a number of shapes for a variety of food products. Dehydrated potato food products are popular because with the water removed, the potatoes are much lighter, resulting in lower shipping costs for dehydrated potato products. These types of produce have a much longer shelf life than whole potatoes.
Potatoes that need to be dehydrated are usually peeled, washed, cut, blanched or steamed. They can be cut in a variety of ways including slices, cubes, or shreds, depending on their intended use. The potatoes are then dried in large industrial dehydrators, which are essentially low-temperature ovens with very dry circulating air currents that dry the potatoes without actually cooking them any further. This process is often done entirely with a conveyor belt system, for continuous rather than batch production.
Once dried, the potatoes can be further processed or packaged. Dehydrated potatoes are often ground or pulverized into a powder, which is rehydrated and then made into uniform fine flakes or granules and then dried again. These types of products are sold as instant potatoes or instant mashed potatoes and are a common convenience food for cooks and chefs who don’t want to be fussed about making mashed potatoes from scratch. Dehydrated potato powder is sometimes ground very fine and sold as potato flour, which is used in baking and as a thickening agent.
Many other food products are made with dehydrated potatoes. Packaged mixes containing sliced, dehydrated potatoes and a sauce or seasoning packet are a very common supermarket item. Dehydrated shredded potatoes are used for hash brown potatoes, and dehydrated potato cubes are used in soup mixes and other packaged foods. French fries are a popular snack that are made by pressing a paste made from dehydrated potato flakes or powder into shapes resembling traditional potato chips, which are then baked or fried. Many people dehydrate their potatoes at home in a regular food dehydrator for long-term storage.
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