Making Your Own Spices From Scratch

TL;DR

Learn how to make your own spices at home using a dehydrator, including dried herbs, chili powder, vegetable and fruit skin powders, garlic powder, mushroom powder, and citrus zest.

Transcript

so the other day while I was at the store it dawned on me I was like we go out and buy all these spice powders and we use them from wherever they come from but couldn't we just you know make them so yes that is right we are making our own spices we're not like growing our own star nice or anything like that but we are gonna learn how to make spices... Read More

Key Insights

• 💄 Using a dehydrator is the recommended method for making homemade spices.
• 👪 Dried herbs, chili powder, vegetable and fruit skin powders, garlic powder, mushroom powder, and citrus zest can all be made at home.
• ⌛ Dehydration times and temperatures vary for each spice.
• 🤑 Homemade spices can save money and reduce waste.
• 👱 Dried herbs can be air-dried by hanging them with twine.
• 🌶️ Chili powder can be made from any type of chili pepper.
• 🍌 Vegetable and fruit skins can be transformed into flavored powders.
• 🧄 Garlic slices can be dehydrated to make garlic powder.
• 🍄 Mushroom powder adds a strong mushroom flavor to dishes.
• 😘 Citrus zest can be dehydrated at a low temperature for a long duration.
• ❓ Homemade beef jerky can also be made using spices and a dehydrator.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the recommended temperature and time for dehydrating herbs?

Herbs should be dehydrated at 115 degrees Fahrenheit or 46 degrees Celsius for 5 to 10 hours. Sturdy herbs like rosemary and thyme can be air-dried by tying them to a string of twine.

Q: How do you make chili powder from chili peppers?

Cut open the chili peppers, remove the membrane and seeds, and lay them on a dehydrating mat. Dehydrate at 130 degrees Fahrenheit or 54 degrees Celsius until completely dry, approximately 6 to 12 hours. Blend the dried chili peppers, separating the seeds from the flesh.

Q: Can vegetable and fruit skins be used to make flavored powders?

Yes, tomato skins and onion skins can be dehydrated and turned into a flavored powder. Lay the skins on a dehydrating mat and dry them at 130 degrees Fahrenheit or 54 degrees Celsius for 5 to 8 hours. Blend the dried skins into a smooth powder.

Q: How can garlic powder be made at home?

Slice garlic and place it on a dehydrating mat with a silicone mat covering it. Dehydrate at 130 degrees Fahrenheit or 54 degrees Celsius for 8 to 12 hours. Blend the dried garlic slices into a powder.

Q: What is mushroom powder used for, and how is it made?

Mushroom powder adds a strong mushroom flavor to dishes. Use any mushroom, separate the tops from the bases, lay them flat on a dehydrating mat, and dehydrate at 130 degrees Fahrenheit or 54 degrees Celsius for 4 to 8 hours. Blend the dried mushrooms into a powder.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Making your own spices at home can save money and reduce waste.

• Using a dehydrator is recommended for dehydrating herbs, chili peppers, vegetable and fruit skins, garlic, mushrooms, and citrus zest.

• Each spice has a specific temperature and time requirement for dehydration.