Dried Foods: The Science Behind Making Lightweight Snacks *
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Abstract
If you've ever been on a long hike, you probably already know how hungry all that walking can make you. But if you're going a long distance, the last thing you want is a heavy pack of snacks on your back. So what can you bring along for a healthy, hunger-satisfying, lightweight snack? How about dried foods, like banana chips or beef jerky? Many foods have high water content. The drying process removes much of the water from the food, leaving behind a lighter, but equally nutritious snack. Just how much water is removed during drying? Find out for yourself by making your own supply of dried banana chips (or another fruit of your choice). You'll need to research different drying techniques and remember to weigh the bananas before and after drying to calculate how much water was lost. For a more advanced science fair project, you can try comparing the results of different drying techniques, or comparing the amount of water lost from different types of foods during drying. Happy snacking!Share your story with Science Buddies!
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Last edit date: 2012-12-07
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