RECONSTITUTION
Dehydration is the process of removing moisture from food. Reconstitution is the replacement of
that moisture to bring the food back to its natural states. Although some dried foods such as fruit are
excellent in their dehydrated state, you will often want to reconstitute other dried foods before eating
them. Here are some tips on reconstitution.
JUST ADD WATER
For chopped or shredded vegetables, and for fruits to be used in cookies, no reconstitution is usually
needed. If the pieces are quite crisp and dry you can try sprinkling with 1 Tbsp. water per cup of dried
food.
For vegetables and fruits to be used in soufflés, pies, quick breads, doughs or batter, use 2 parts water
to 3 parts (by volume) dried food.
For vegetables and fruits which will be cooked in the liquid such as vegetable side dishes, fruit
toppings, and compotes, use 1 to 1½ parts water to 1 part dried food. Extra liquid may be required for
proper cooking.
TIME FOR RECONSTITUTION
• Chopped and shredded foods reconstitute quickly. Generally, 15 to 30 minutes is sufficient.
• Larger vegetable or fruit slices, and meat cubes can be reconstituted overnight in water, left in the
refrigerator. Alternately, you can also choose to place in boiling water, remove from stove, and let
stand 2 to 3 hours.
• Whole pieces of fruit take longest to reconstitute, and are best left to soak overnight.
OTHER RECONSTITUTION HINTS
• If you drain reconstituted foods, save the liquid. This liquid has great nutritional value. Freeze this
liquid for later use in soups, leathers, pies or compotes.
• There is no need to reconstitute ahead of time when making soups. Dried vegetables can be added
directly to the soup about one hour before serving.
• Do not add spices, salt, bouillon cubes or tomato products until vegetables are reconstituted and
cooked. These items considerably hinder rehydration.
• Some foods take longer to reconstitute than others. Carrots and beans require more time than
green peas or potatoes. A rule of thumb: those that take the longest to dehydrate will take the
longest to reconstitute.
• Try not to use more liquid than necessary for reconstitution because nutrients will be drained away
with the excess water. Place dehydrated food in a container and use just enough water to cover the
food. Add more water later as needed to replace what the food absorbs.
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