As one of the important crops globally, onion is widely used not only in daily cooking but also in the food processing industry. However, onion is a vegetable with high water content, which is prone to rot and deterioration if not properly treated after harvest. Therefore, drying treatment has become a common way for onion processors. Why do onions need to be dried? Drying onions not only prolongs the preservation time, but also enhances its added value and brings multiple benefits to onion processing enterprises.
Extended shelf life
Fresh onions contain up to 80-90% water, which makes them susceptible to mold and microbial attack during storage, leading to decay. If left untreated, fresh onions have a short shelf life, lasting only a few weeks at room temperature. However, through the drying process, the moisture in onions is drastically reduced, often to less than 10%, which greatly extends their shelf life.
Increasing the added value of onions
Drying onions not only extends their shelf life, but also increases their economic value. Dried onions can be sold at a higher price and become an important ingredient in many processed foods. Especially during the off-season, dried onions serve as a substitute to ensure a stable market supply. Dried onions are available in a variety of product forms, such as onion flakes and onion powder, making them easy to store, transport and use. This convenience makes dried onions popular in food processing, catering and spice production.
Easy to process and use
The weight and volume of dried onions are greatly reduced, making them easier to store and transport and reducing costs. At the same time, dried onions can be directly applied to a variety of food processing procedures, eliminating the need for fresh onions to be cleaned, peeled and cut, reducing labor costs.
Meeting different market demands
With the rapid development of the food processing industry, the market demand for dried onions is increasing year by year. Consumers are increasingly inclined to choose convenient, ready-to-eat or semi-ready-to-eat products, and the demand for dried onions as an important ingredient in seasonings and convenience foods is steadily increasing.
Reduced storage and transportation costs
Fresh onions are bulky, perishable and cost more for cold chain transportation and storage. Dried onions, on the other hand, significantly reduce transportation and storage costs due to the reduction in volume and weight. Dried onion products can be stored at room temperature, reducing reliance on refrigeration equipment, as well as reducing losses due to spoilage during transportation.
Drying onions is a crucial process for onion processors, if you have any onion drying equipment needs, you can contact us.