How to Dry Tomatoes

With the increasing demand for healthy food and advances in agricultural preservation technology, dried tomatoes have gradually become a popular choice for home cooking and food processing. Compared to traditional sun drying, modern drying technology can not only significantly shorten the time, but also better preserve the nutrition and flavor of tomatoes. Today, Jinlu Machinery will explore how to scientifically dry tomatoes and how this technology can change our way of eating.

1、 Why choose to dry tomatoes?

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, lycopene, and dietary fiber, but fresh tomatoes are not easy to store for a long time. After drying:

✅  Extended shelf life: After dehydration, it can be stored at room temperature for several months or even longer.

✅  Concentrated flavor: Sweet and sour flavors are more prominent, suitable for stews, pasta, pizza and other dishes.

✅  Nutrient retention: Scientific temperature controlled drying can reduce nutrient loss more effectively than traditional sun drying.

2、 How to dry tomatoes?

①Home drying method (applicable to household food dryers)

Material selection: Choose ripe but not too soft tomatoes, wash and remove the stems.

Preprocessing: Slice (approximately 5mm thick) or block, remove seeds (optional).

Temperature controlled drying:

Temperature: Set at 55-65 ℃ (low-temperature slow drying to retain nutrients).

Time: 6-12 hours (adjusted according to thickness and humidity).

Flip: Flip once halfway to ensure even dehydration.

Storage: After cooling, seal and store to avoid moisture.

Tip: Sprinkle a little salt or vanilla to add flavor, and soak in oil for better preservation after drying.

②Industrial drying method (applicable to large drying equipment)

Food processing plants use heat pump dryers or tunnel drying lines to achieve large-scale production through precise temperature control (60-70 ℃) and segmented dehydration, while complying with food safety standards.

3、 Market prospects of dried tomatoes

With the increasing demand for healthy snacks, convenience foods, and the catering industry, the market for dried tomatoes continues to expand

Family scene: DIY healthy snacks and portable camping food.

Catering industry: used for sauces and soup bases to enhance the layering of dishes.

Food processing: added as a natural seasoning to cookies, energy bars, etc.

4、 Recommended drying equipment

Choosing the right drying equipment is crucial for both household users and business producers:

Household: Multi layer tray type food dryer (energy-saving and silent).

Commercial: Heat pump drying room (efficient and energy-saving, suitable for small and medium-sized processing plants).

Industrial grade: Continuous drying production line (automated, with a daily output of several tons).

In the future, the annual growth rate of the global dehydrated vegetable market will exceed 7%, and dried tomatoes will become an important category due to their high nutrition and versatility.