Dehydrated potatoes are actually the same as instant potatoes, and this latter term is doubtless more familiar to you. If you are like thousands of other USA citizens, you buy 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 got a pack that claims “Instant Potatoes,” have you checked the package for the list of ingredients contained in the pack? Next time you go out to purchase your favourite brand of dehydrated potatoes, you must try taking a look at the list of ingredients. You might be in for a shock.

Actually, we have done that to one of the less expensive makes 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? In fact, it’s just instant potatoes, so what else should be in there?

Here is a listing of the ingredients that are really included in the pack of dehydrated potatoes:

– potato (you would really be surprised if this was not included)
– monocerides (these are fats)
– diglycerides (another kind of fats)
– sodium acid pyrophosphate (this is actually 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 controversial in the food-processing industry )

Out of all these listed ingredients, the only one that actually 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 quantity of chemicals involved in making dehydrated potatoes will make you would like to think carefully about purchasing them again.

You do have the choice of making your own dehydrated potatoes. You may be certain that there are no dangerous chemicals added, and you can have an excellent time making them. The process is reasonably easy, and you can make it into a fun activity for the family, particularly if you have youngsters 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 youngsters to help in this last part. Simply ensure that everything is orderly so you will not have to wash up too much afterwards.

If you enjoy cooking and making food, visit cooking101.org for more recipe and guides on how to cook quality meals. Along the way, you might want to check out recipe for roasting potatoes.