Innovative drying process for first regenerative herb chain

Verstegen Spices & Sauces and Schevichoven Droogt have launched a pilot program for the Netherlands' first regenerative herb supply chain. A key component of this program is the careful drying of the herbs, preserving their flavor, aroma, and quality. Jan Diekema (DIKA) has developed a special drying machine for this process, solving these challenges with an innovative approach focused on quality, sustainability, and efficiency.

How does the drying process work?

The herbs are dried in a closed drying system. Within this system, air circulates continuously over the product. Some of the air is drawn out of the drying chamber, after which it is cooled, dehumidified, and reheated using the heat from the refrigeration compressor. This process creates a stable environment in which the herbs can dry optimally, without losing essential aromas and colors.

The technology behind the dryer

The dehydrator was specially developed with three key considerations in mind: product quality, energy efficiency, and fully electric operation. This unique approach not only ensures a sustainable drying process but also ensures the herbs retain their optimal flavor and color.

What benefits does it bring?

In practice, this innovative drying machine offers several advantages. It guarantees consistently high product quality: the color, flavor, and aroma of the herbs are optimally preserved. Furthermore, the machine is sustainable and energy-efficient, as it is fully electric and completely gas-free, contributing to an environmentally friendly production process. The machine also scores highly in terms of efficiency and capacity: herbs are processed faster and in larger quantities, without compromising quality.

Capacity and results

The dehydrator can process up to 300 kilos of "wet" herbs at a time—herbs that have just been harvested and still contain all their moisture. Once the dehydrator has finished drying the herbs, it ultimately produces approximately 30 kilos of "dry" herbs. This is enough to fill, for example, 3,000 such jars of bay leaves. The machine thus combines efficiency with impressive output, without compromising flavor and quality.

Sustainability in the herb chain

Besides the innovative drying technology, sustainable energy also plays a significant role. The dryer runs on solar panels during the day, while a battery storage system provides the necessary energy at night. This makes the process not only environmentally friendly but also future-proof.

With this innovation, we are taking an important step together with Schevichoven towards a regenerative herb chain in the Netherlands, in which taste, quality, and sustainability go hand in hand.