Jump to the recipe for Dehydrated Lemon Slices…
In looking back over the pictures from the fall and winter outdoor adventures I had since November, it is clear a favorite new food item to take has been dehydrated lemon slices. These little circles of sunshine have been with me on every trip as lightweight additions to my hot beverages and warm vegetable meals.
You wouldn’t think something so simple would bring such joy! Here are just a few of my trips where I added dehydrated lemon slices to hot water, whether watching the sun come up or snuggling with a warm cup before heading off to sleep.
Rialto to Chilean Memorial Overnight
We ended up hiking out early because I forgot to ask my mom to feed the cat but we had time to stop and watch the sunrise on the Washington Coast. My husband had coffee and I enjoyed some citrusy warm liquid.
John Dellenback Dunes Trail-Eel Creek Campground Overnight
We walked out across the dunes before the sun came up and I sat in the tall beach grass having a cozy drink with breakfast before taking a walk down the shore.
After hiking up in a cloud bank to the summit of Hex Mountain, I fired up my stove and made a toasty beverage with a view of the Enchantments.
Grove of The Patriarchs-Silver Falls
Sitting among the skyscraping forest close to the Ohanapecosh campground in Mount Rainier National Park as part of a snowshoeing loop, I added lemons to my Nalgene after heating up some water to stave off the freezing temperatures.
Why Add Dehydrated Lemons To Your Water?
Of course, dehydrating lemons is barely a recipe. But if folks like Wellness Mama and iFood Real can write up actual recipes on making lemon water, why not one for dehydrating lemons? You are most likely familiar with some of the benefits of drinking lemon water toted today, like aiding digestion, vitamin C (good for collagen absorption) and relieving joint pain. I have not looked into the research to see if this is backed up by science or if dehydrated lemons offer the same effect, but I do know it makes plain warm water more appetizing and who couldn’t use that?
Tips For Dehydrating Lemons
There are some tips I learned along the way through the batches I made, that is why you see some differences in the pictures.
- A few sliced lemons go along way, unless you plan to give them away to family and friends (which I did). That bag from Costco? It will easily make a year’s worth of dried slices.
- Don’t be lazy, use the end of your sharp knife and pick out the seeds. More of aesthetics, but also if you want to suck on the lemons after your drink or add them to food.
- It will take longer, but drying at a lower temperature means the lemons stay more yellow (rather than orangish brown).
I found that tossing a few dried lemons into rehydrating cauliflower or other vegetables adds a nice lemony tang, too. A small snack bag of these crisp lemons is now a part of my food bag (salt, teas, spices, etc.) and has been handy on trail when I want to add a burst of flavor. Lunchskins is currently running a 25% sale for Earth Day, I have no affiliation.
So while you are prepping for your upcoming outdoor adventures, add some sliced lemons to the dehydrator and you will be sure to find yourself discovering your own ways to add a little lemony sunshine to your trail meals and beverages!
Dehydrated Lemon Slices
Added a little taste of sunshine to your hot trail beverages with dehydrated lemon slices
Prep Time
10 minutes
Dehydrating Time
3 days
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: Autoimmune Protocol, Gluten Free, Keto, Paleo, Vegan
Servings: 60 slices
Ingredients
- 6 lemons
Instructions
- Wash and dry the lemons.
- Slice thinly, remove seeds and lay out directly onto the dehydrator trays.
- Let dry on the craft setting (110 degrees) until crisp, can take 2-3 days depending on thickness of the lemon slices
- Store in an airtight container until ready for the trail.
Dehydrated lemon slices will unavoidably began to turn a brown color due to oxidation over time. This does not affect their taste or health benefit and the more you can limit their exposure to air over time, the slower this process will occur.
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