Although dehydrated tomatoes or sun dried tomatoes have been with us for many years, do you know what's the difference between dehydrated tomatoes and sun dried tomatoes?
Compare the manufacturing process:
The appearance of dehydrated tomatoes comes later than sun dried tomatos. Tomatoes are washed, cut and then typically passed through long tunnels which dehydrates them by warm air. This process is quite capital intensive and can offer tight controls. Typical origins for this product include Chile, Mexico, Morocco, California and China. Dehydrated tomatoes have under 7% moisture, a less sharp taste, and lighten slightly in color after 12 to 15 months of storage.
Sun dried tomatoes are different. Ripened tomatoes are first washed, halved and then usually put through a water bath containing sulfur dioxide. They are then put into drying trays in the sun for seven to ten days. Thereafter they are cut and packaged. The North American industrial market is currently supplied by a number of origins: Chile, Turkey, Mexico, California, Spain, and Italy. The result is a product with typically 12 to 24% moisture, robust in taste, and which darkens after expiration (9 to 12 months). Cool storage is recommended.