What You Need to Know
The Inca Empire's sun-drying method involved placing food in the sun to dry, often on a stone or wooden platform, relying on the sun's heat to evaporate moisture and preserve the food for later consumption. This method was effective in preserving food for long periods of time and was a crucial technique for their survival in the Andean highlands.
Steps
- 1.
Chuño (Andean highlands): Freeze-drying potatoes through repeated sun exposure and night freezing
- 2.
Charqui (Peru): Sun-dried llama or alpaca meat preservation
- 3.
Tunta (Bolivia): White freeze-dried potatoes created through sun exposure
The Science
Primary Reaction
evaporation