Bad Chemicals In Dehydrated Potatoes

Dehydrated potatoes are basically the same as instant potatoes, and this latter term is perhaps more familiar to you. If you are like thousands of other USA citizens, you purchase dehydrated potatoes on a constant basis and frequently use them in your cooking.

Think about how often you have gone to the local grocery store to buy dehydrated potatoes. Once a week? Twice a month? In those times that you have picked up a pack that claims “Instant Potatoes,” have you ever checked the package for the list of ingredients contained in the pack? The next time you go out to purchase your favorite brand of dehydrated potatoes, you should try having a look at the list of ingredients. You may be in for a shock.

Actually, we have done that to one of the cheaper brands of dehydrated products – check out its ingredients, that is. We went to our local Aldi’s and grabbed a box of “Great Worth Instant Potatoes.” You would expect the package to contain potatoes, and nothing else right? Of course, it’s just instant potatoes, so what else should be in there?

Here is a catalogue of the ingredients that are basically included in the pack of dehydrated potatoes:

– potato (you would actually be shocked if this wasn’t included )
– monocerides (these are fats )
– diglycerides ( another sort of fats )
– sodium acid pyrophosphate (this is basically a chemical used in electroplating)
– sodium metabisulfate ( this chemical is used with antioxidants )
– citric acid ( a weak acid used for flavoring )
– BHT or butylated hydroxytoluene (a fat and oil antioxidant which has been quite questionable in the food-processing industry )

Out of all these listed ingredients, the sole one that basically has business being in a pack of dehydrated potatoes is the potato itself. So what are all the other stuff doing in there? Just seeing the amount of chemicals concerned in making dehydrated potatoes will make you wish to think twice about buying them again.

You do have the choice of making your own dehydrated potatoes. You may be sure that there are no harmful chemicals added, and you can also have an excellent time making them. The method is fairly simple, and you can turn it into a fun activity for the whole family, especially if you have kids around. For more data see http://www.dehydratedfoodguide.com/Articles/Dehydrated_Mushroom.php on Dehydrated Mushroom.

When making dehydrated potatoes at home, just follow these simple steps:

1. Cut your potatoes into thin slices.
2. Put them in a warm oven.
3. Keep turning them until they become crispy and dry.
4. Mash them into powder and put them in airtight containers.

You can ask your kids to help you in this last part. Simply make certain that everything is orderly so you won’t have to wash up too much afterwards.

To get more recipes and cooking ideas, visit cooking101.org and while you are at it, you might also want to have a look at recipe for roasted potatoes.