Dehydrated Fruit & Vegetable Processing
Why are Fruits and Vegetables dehydrated?
- Preservation – Shelf life of dried fruits and vegetables is more than 1 year depending on their type and storage temperature.
- Lowers the cost of packaging, storing, transportation.
- For direct use in the manufacturing of processed food like instant vegetable noodles, soups, snacks and fast food.
Indian exports
India is a prominent exporter of dried and preserved vegetables to the world. The country exported 88535.56 MT of dried and preserved vegetables to the world for the worth of Rs. 944.65 crores/ 146.54 USD Millions during the year 2017-18.
Dehydrated Fruits & Vegetables
- Round the year availability
- Huge Potential in exports
- Increasing demand with increasing food processing companies
Major dried fruits and vegetables in demand
1. Vegetables: Onion, Ginger, Garlic, Okra, Potatoes, Cabbage, Peas, Carrot, Mushrooms, Beans, Green pepper
2. Fruits: Pineapple, Mango, Peach, Berries, Prunes, Figs, Apricots
Manufacturing Process
- Sorting and Grading are done to remove the blemished ones and grade according to size and color.
- It is followed by washing, peeling or cutting as desired.
- Pre-treatment – Vegetables are blanched whereas fruits are sulphur-treated to inactivate enzymes (this halts browning).
- Drying is done to reduce the moisture content up to the desired level. There are various different kinds of dryers with different properties to choose from.
- Dried fruits and vegetables are allowed to cool down for some time so as to prevent any condensation/sweating in the package.
- Finally, packing is done.
Did you know?
“India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. However, only 2% of fruits and vegetables produced are processed, compared to 65% in the US.”
Packaging
The packaging of dehydrated fruits and vegetables must
- Protect the product against moisture, light, air, dust, microflora, foreign odor, insects, and rodents.
- Provide strength and stability to maintain original product size, shape, and appearance throughout storage, handling, and marketing.
- Consist of materials that are approved for contact with food.
- Be cost effective.
Majorly used Package types include cans, plastic bags, drums, bins, and cartons, and depend on the end-use of the product.