How to Dehydrate Bananas
Most people enjoy bananas and they are a treat for both young and old. They are a great snack, side or dessert. They are prepackaged and easy to take on the go. Knowing how to dehydrate bananas will help you have this treasure readily available to you more inexpensively all year long.
Buy bananas when they are in season. Nothing is better than a perfectly ripened banana in season. Yes, we can typically get bananas at the store all year, but there is a difference in quality and flavor when bananas are in season. To dry bananas at home, buy extra bananas in season. Just like anything else, bananas are at their cheapest when they’re in season. The following steps will help you preserve the best bananas available.
Step One: Wash the peel of the banana. This is to prevent any contaminants that may be on the outside from coming into contact with the fruit once they’ve been peeled.
Step Two: Slice each banana into pieces approximately one eighth inch in thickness. You can peel the banana either before you slice them or after, it depends on your preference.
Step Three: (Optional) Put the slices of banana in a bowl with either lemon juice or pineapple juice for at least five minutes. This will help prevent the browning that occurs when bananas are peeled and sliced. Neither of the juices will effect the flavor of the bananas.
Step Four: Put the banana slices on trays, making sure they do not touch each other, and place the trays in a food dehydrator.
Step Five: Dry with a medium heat until the banana chips are pliable, anywhere from 10 to 24 hours depending on the unit you’re using. Once the chips are ready, turn off the dehydrator leaving the slices still on the trays until they are cool.
Step Six: Once cooled, put the banana chips into food storage containers, either plastic bags or plastic tubs, and keep them in a cool, dark, dry place for longest storage life.
Bananas are an ideal source of energy for their immediacy and longevity of energy. They’re good for depression, not because they’re sweet, but because they have tryptophan which can help improve mood. They’re high in potassium, which helps with regulating the body’s water content and the hearts beat. They can help prevent risks associated with high blood pressure and stroke. If you suffer from heartburn or indigestion, bananas have a natural antacid effect, which can help calm your stomach.
Next time they’re in season, take advantage of the fact you know how to dehydrate bananas and enjoy the financial and health benefits of this wonderful fruit all year.
The Author:
www.urbanhomesteadingtoday.com is a website that is focused on urban homesteading and the topics and tips, such as how dry bananas, relevant to developing your own homestead.
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