
Where do freeze dried potatoes come from?
Potatoes in particular have been freeze dried since at least the time of the Inca empire, in the form of chuño; another example is in Japanese Ainu cuisine, where potatoes are collected frozen from the ground in spring, then dried.
What is the history of freeze-dried food?
NASA adopted the art of freeze-drying from the Aymara and made modern technology to freeze-dry food in preparation for the long-duration Apollo missions. This modern technology is what Backpacker's Pantry relies upon today, to make its lightweight, freeze-dried backpacking meals.
What is the history of dehydrated potatoes?
The History Behind Dehydrated Potatoes. Potatoes were actually the first known food to be intentionally dehydrated. Thousands of years ago, the Incas dehydrated potatoes. They would place the potatoes outside in the cold, dry mountain air and in a few days, the potatoes would be dehydrated.
Who invented the potato and when?
The humble potato’s story began more than 10,000 years ago on the shores of Lake Titicaca, in present-day Peru. The Incas are believed to have been the first to cultivate potatoes all the way up in the Andes mountain range, at 3,800 metres above sea level.

When were freeze-dried potatoes invented?
Many people have overlooked it though; this process that was used was freeze-dried foods. Many people think that it was only recently invented in the 1960s, but it was not invented, or even thought of in a NASA lab. Annie Matthews says “as far back as 1200 A.D, the Incas freeze-dried potatoes” (Matthews).
Did Incas invent freeze-drying?
As far as recorded history goes, the Incas were the first people to develop freeze-drying techniques. This consisted of taking advantage of freezing weather by leaving potatoes under a cloth overnight.
Did Incas freeze dry potatoes?
Space age foods have existed for centuries in the Andes, where the Incas produced freeze-dried potatoes without the benefits of modern processing technology.
How did the Andean people freeze dry potatoes?
At high-altitude locations in the Andes, it almost invariably freezes at night. The Inca took advantage of this fact by laying out large areas of small potatoes on beds of straw or blankets, and covering them with a cloth. They were then left to freeze overnight.
Did Aztecs invent freeze-drying?
Mayan Empire The Aztecs had many inventions and ideas that are still used today. They are one of the first to practice the idea of mandatory education. They have also given us chocolate and medicine that is used nowadays to help prevent seizures. The Incas developed the process of freeze-drying foods.
What did Peru invent?
The inventor of the first modern rocket propulsion system was a Peruvian. Pedro Paulet was born near Arequipa, Peru in 1874 and designed, built and tested the first liquid fuel rocket engine. Paulet also designed an early spaceship prototype.
What did the Inca invent?
Some of their most impressive inventions were roads and bridges, including suspension bridges, which use thick cables to hold up the walkway. Their communication system was called quipu, a system of strings and knots that recorded information.
What were Inca freeze-dried potatoes called?
chuñoEnter chuño, one of the Incas' discoveries that persists to this day. Chuño (pronounced CHOON-yoh) is essentially freeze-dried potatoes, developed by a culture that had none of today's food-processing technology.
What did the Incas discover?
Freeze drying. The Incas were the first recorded people to learn freeze drying techniques. They left potatoes under a cloth overnight in the freezing cold, returning the next day to trample over them to squeeze out any excess moisture.
Where did a chuño originate?
ChuñoPlace of originBolivia and PeruMain ingredientsPotatoesCookbook: Chuño Media: Chuño1 more row
What did Incas do with potatoes?
The Incas discovered that by dehydrating the potatoes into a substance called chuño, they could store it for up to 10 or even 15 years.
Who did the Incas descend from?
The Inca civilization arose from the Peruvian highlands sometime in the early 13th century. The Spanish began the conquest of the Inca Empire in 1532 and its last stronghold was conquered in 1572. Aymara, Puquina, Jaqi family, Muchik and scores of smaller languages.
What was the first freeze drying?
The history of freeze drying. For the first instances of freeze drying, people used their natural environment to their advantage. Peruvian Incas made what they called chuño from drying potatoes and charqui from dried beef. They used the freezing night temperatures and low atmospheric pressures of the high Andes.
Which group of people freeze dry their food?
Eskimos, Buddhist Monks, and the Vikings were also known to freeze dry some of their foods.
What is the chuño used for?
It’s used in all kinds of stuff. There are soups and stews which incorporate chuño. The potatoes can be ground and added to anything as a thickening ingredient, just like flour.
Is there only one kind of freeze-dried potatoes?
There are actually two kinds of freeze-dried potatoes. The darker varieties make chuño, and the lighter potatoes are made into moraya. The method is a little different.
A good method of preservation, but what does it taste like?
Chuño has been described as tasting like Styrofoam, which is typical with a lot of freeze-dried foods. The smell has been compared to stinky socks. Yuck.
When did potatoes spread?
It wasn’t until the mid-16th century that potatoes spread beyond the shores of South America. After Spanish Conquistadors ransacked Peru in hopes of finding gold, they instead discovered the potato. The Spanish were impressed with this root vegetable that was easy to farm in abundance and store for long periods.
When did potatoes first appear in Ireland?
A few decades later, Sir Walter Raleigh, an English explorer, writer, soldier and politician, introduced potatoes to Ireland in 1589, on 40,000 acres of land near Cork. It took many more decades before potatoes became a prominent part of the European diet. It wasn’t until the 1780s that the Irish began farming potatoes in abundance, thanks to their hardiness and nutrition.
Why are potatoes important in Peru?
Potatoes are more than just food in Peru, and are an important part of Peruvian heritage. Many local farmers cultivate different potato varieties to preserve historic traditions. Different communities trade special varieties of potatoes and gift them at weddings and celebrations.
Why did the Incans use potatoes?
It became a revered food, as the Incans also used potatoes to treat injuries, predict the weather, and make childbirth easier. The Incans even used the modest potato to measure time, as Incan units of time corresponded with the length of time it took to cook a potato to different consistencies.
What are purple potatoes used for?
Potatoes can also be used for medicines, and are said to relieve headaches and skin irritation. Varieties like the Peruvian purple potato are incredibly high in antioxidants, making them super healthy. Of course, they’re also delicious. So how can you eat these tasty potatoes in Peru?
How long can you store potato in the Incas?
The Incas discovered that by dehydrating the potatoes into a substance called chuño, they could store it for up to 10 or even 15 years.
Where did the Incas discover potatoes?
The Incas discover the potato. The humble potato’s story began more than 10,000 years ago on the shores of Lake Titicaca, in present-day Peru. The Incas are believed to have been the first to cultivate potatoes all the way up in the Andes mountain range, at 3,800 metres above sea level. Wild potato plants already grew around the lake, ...
Why are potatoes good for you?
Potatoes help control blood sugar levels, are high in fiber, and low in sodium. Potatoes are also assist in the liver cleansing itself, and produces energy. Save time and money by using freeze dried potato dices in your recipes, salads, or even just as. Easy snack for convenience and busy schedule.
Is freeze dried potato good for you?
Our freeze dried potatoes are crunchy, mild, and are beneficial for the body. Grown and freeze dried by USA based companies, this product is also Non-GMO, with no preservatives or additives. Our freeze dried potatoes retain up to 94% of its ‘fresh’ nutritional value, and are a delightful addition to any recipe, for your side dishes, entrees, or a snack option for an on-the-go man, woman or child.
Can you freeze dried blueberries?
Freeze Dried Blueberries -- Great in smoothies, muffins, fruit salads, and fresh out of the package. Our freeze dried blueberries are one of our favorites: flavorful, sweet, and a great addition to any morning meal. Not only is the product come from USA based companies, this product is also Non-GMO, with no preservatives or additives. Our freeze...
Is dried carrots GMO?
Our dried carrots are crunchy, sweet, and are full of benefits for the body. Grown and dried by USA based companies, these dried carrots are also Non-GMO, with no preservatives or additives. Our dried carrots retain up to 90% of its ‘fresh’ nutritional value, and is a delightful addition to ...
Is dried vegetable soup GMO?
Grown and dried by USA based companies, this dried vegetable soup mix is also Non-GMO, with no preservatives or additives. Our dried veg...
Is dried sweet potato a GMO?
Our dried sweet potatoes are crunchy, delicious, and guiltless. Grown and dried by USA based companies, these dried sweet potatoes are also Non-GMO, with no preservatives or additives. Our dried sweet potatoes retain up to 90% of their ‘fresh’ nutritional value, and are a del...
Is potato kosher?
They are also kosher, and packaged carefully by hand for optimum quality, care, and freshness. Cooking and food storage made that much easier. Potatoes help control blood sugar levels, are high in fiber, and low in sodium. Potatoes are also assist in the liver cleansing itself, and produces energy.
When were potatoes frozen?
Potatoes in particular have been freeze dried since at least the time of the Inca empire, in the form of chuño; another example is in Japanese Ainu cuisine, where potatoes are collected frozen from the ground in spring, then dried.
Who invented dehydrate potatoes?
U.S. Patent 1,025,373, developed by Mr. Sullivan, titled "Dehydrate Potatoes and Process of Preparing the Same", and describing a product that was to be reconstituted in hot water, was applied for in 1905 and granted in 1912.
How much vitamin C is in mashed potatoes?
One hundred grams (3½ oz) of unenriched instant mashed potatoes provides 11% of the Dietary Reference Intake of vitamin C, compared to 18% provided by the fresh potato version.
What is instant mashed potatoes?
Instant mashed potatoes are potatoes that have been through an industrial process of cooking, mashing and dehydrating to yield a packaged convenience food that can be reconstituted by adding hot water or milk, producing an approximation of mashed potatoes.
Is instant mashed potato the same as fresh mashed potatoes?
Nutrition. Instant mashed potatoes have substantially more sodium than fresh potatoes, and much less dietary fiber. In other respects they are similar to mashed fresh potatoes in their nutritional qualities, about two-thirds starch by dry weight, with smaller amounts of protein, dietary fiber, and vitamins. The largest difference is the loss of ...
Can you re-mash potatoes with potato flour?
Mashed potatoes can be reconstituted from potato flour, but the process is made more difficult by lumping; a key characteristic of instant mashed potatoes is that it is in the form of flakes or granules, eliminating the chunkiness.
Who invented frozen French fries?
J. R. Simplot, Farmer Who Developed First Frozen French Fries, Dies at 99. J. R. Simplot, a billionaire who grew up in a sod-roofed log cabin and dropped out of school at 14, then marshaled luck, spunk and inventiveness to fashion an entrepreneurial career that included developing the first commercial frozen French fry, ...
Who was the largest potato shipper in the West?
Mr. Simplot won, and expanded to all phases of the potato industry. Within a decade, Mr. Simplot was the largest shipper of potatoes in the West, with 33 warehouses in Oregon and Idaho. Ultimately, his businesses included fertilizer, oil, animal feed, seed, beef cattle and ski resorts from Chile to China.
Who was the guy that built McDonald's?
In the mid-1960s, Mr. Simplot signed a contract with Ray Kroc, who built McDonald’s into an empire, to supply fries to Mr. Kroc’s chain. Mr. Simplot promised to build an entire factory just for McDonald’s. The deal was sealed with a handshake.
How long do dehydrated potatoes last?
By removing the water, the dehydrated potatoes can last for years. When you cook your next meal using dehydrated potato slices, you are using an ingredient the ancient Incas used a thousand years before. It’s quite amazing when you think about it. Buy potatoes from Harmony House Foods today.
What was the first food to be dehydrated?
Potatoes were actually the first known food to be intentionally dehydrated. Thousands of years ago, the Incas dehydrated potatoes. They would place the potatoes outside in the cold, dry mountain air and in a few days, the potatoes would be dehydrated.
How long to boil potatoes in water?
Rather than spending an hour pealing, washing, and dicing potatoes, just put on a pot of boiling water, add the dehydrated potato slices or dices, seasonings, some extra dehydrated vegetables, and wait for fifteen minutes or so.
Is it healthy to eat dehydrated potatoes?
Our dehydrated potatoes are a long lasting, healthy alternative to the habitual sack of potatoes. Buy these dried potatoes in bulk to always have them on hand.
Is it good to buy diced potatoes?
Because the dried potatoes are sealed tight, these diced potatoes are a great bulk buy and maintain a delicious flavor. If you want to keep some dried potatoes in the pantry, Harmony House Foods’ bulk dried potatoes are an excellent option.
Do dehydrated potatoes have water?
Like other dehydrated vegetables, dehydrated potatoes have the water removed from them preventing spoilage. Housed in BPA-free plastic jars, jugs, or zip pouches, Harmony House Foods’ dehydrated potatoes are a long lasting, healthy alternative to the traditional sack of potatoes.
Can you add dehydrated potatoes to soup?
Harmony House Foods’ Dehydrated Potatoes are one of the most popular dehydrated food products. They can be easily added to soups for texture and flavor. One of their most pleasant attributes is that they are already diced. Not pealing, slicing, and dicing potatoes can be a wonderful time saver.

Where It All Began
- The Aymara, an Indigenous people in Bolivia's high Andes, figured out how to rid poisonous potatoes of their toxins & freeze-dry these potatoes for preservation purposes. All without using pumps, pipes or a freezer, the Aymara have been preparing freeze-dried potatoes -- a local staple they call "Chuno," (‘CHOON-yo’) --the same way, since its inven...
The Similarity Between Ancient & Modern Freeze-Drying Practices
- At it's most basic level, freeze-drying involves using very low pressure, extreme cold and gentle heat to remove solid water (ice) out of a frozen food without melting the food first. It's shocking & quite impressive how similar the Aymara's ancient method of freeze-drying is to that of modern-day techniques. The difference is how the Aymara use their natural environment of high altitude…
The Invention of Modern Freeze-Drying Technology
- NASA adopted the art of freeze-drying from the Aymara and made modern technology to freeze-dry food in preparation for the long-duration Apollo missions. This modern technology is what Backpacker's Pantry relies upon today, to make its lightweight, freeze-dried backpacking meals. It's also the same technology that allowed Backpacker's Pantry's sister company,Astrona…
Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due
- Today we are able to freeze-dry just about anything. From food to medicine and more, the Aymara's innovative food processing method has and will continue to be vital for the preservation of goods. And not only did this Indigenous group create a brilliant famine-proof strategy, they also created an incredible way to preserve the nutrients in their food.Freeze-dried foods retain 97% o…
What Is The Chuño Used for?
- It’s used in all kinds of stuff. There are soups and stews which incorporate chuño. The potatoes can be ground and added to anything as a thickening ingredient, just like flour. There are a couple of dishes like chairo, a traditional soup, or papa helada, which is more of a snack made from boiled chuño and Andean cheese. It’s also added to a traditional chili dish called aji.
Is There only One Kind of Freeze-Dried Potatoes?
- There are actually two kinds of freeze-dried potatoes. The darker varieties make chuño, and the lighter potatoes are made into moraya. The method is a little different. For moraya the potatoes are put into tightly woven mesh bags and placed in the super chilled streams. The bags protect the potatoes while cleaning them. After a couple days of soaki...
A Good Method of Preservation, But What Does It Taste like?
- Chuño has been described as tasting like Styrofoam, which is typical with a lot of freeze-dried foods. The smell has been compared to stinky socks. Yuck. It’s said it has a bit of an acquired taste by itself. If you needed something to fill your belly though, you wouldn’t be too picky. The dried potatoes also taste pretty good when used in soups and stews. Dehydrating them allows t…