Solar drying

Solar drying is the preservation of foods by removing moisture using heat from the sun, one of the oldest food-processing methods known. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and fish are spread or hung so that warm air carries moisture away, lowering water activity until microbes can no longer grow and enzymes are slowed. It is cheap, sustainable, and widely used where sunshine is abundant, cutting post-harvest losses without fuel costs. But drying must be fast and hygienic enough to outrun mould growth and contamination: slow or damp drying invites mycotoxins and spoilage, so proper driers, good airflow, and protection from dust, insects, and rain separate safe solar drying from risky open-air exposure.