Food Preservation: the Dehydration Method

Dehydrating is one of the oldest methods of food preservation. During times of drought and famine, the food would dehydrate on the vine or stem. Hungry people would glean anything they could find that was edible, even dried and withered food. They would use a pot to cook soups and stews, often keeping the pot going for days. They found that the bottom of the pot would have very concentrated flavor. They would scrape this up, dry it, and carry this dry bullion in a leather pouch with dry vegetables. They would carry this with them on the road. This would be the foundation of a nutritious soup while traveling or hunting. All that was needed was the addition of hot water.