The Production Process of Delicious, High-Quality Dried Squid

Dried squid is an attractive specialty, imbued with the natural sweetness of squid meat, a moderate chewy texture, eye-catching color, and an alluring aroma. However, few people know that to create a standard, clean, delicious, and safe dried squid product, a rigorous process is required from the squid selection stage to the final preservation. Let’s explore the detailed dried squid production process for delicious, standard products with Ola Squid in this article!

1. Detailed Dried Squid Production Process

The dried squid production process can be divided into the following main steps:

• Step 1 – Selecting Raw Materials:

• • Choose fresh squid (leaf squid or tube squid) with thick bodies, firm meat, clear eyes, and no discoloration or paleness.
  • Inspect the head, tentacles, and eyes of the squid to ensure they are not bruised or soft; avoid squid that has been frozen for a long time or poorly preserved.
  • Squid raw materials must have a clear origin, be fresh from the sea, and contain no preservatives or strange chemicals.

• Step 2 – Preprocessing Raw Materials:

• • Wash the squid thoroughly with fresh water to remove sand, slime, and dirt.
  • Remove the internal organs, ink sac, and clean the head (make incisions or remove eyes and beak) to prevent a fishy smell and bitter taste after drying.
  • If you want the dried squid product to have a special flavor (e.g., slightly spicy or lightly salty), you can marinate it with salt, chili, or chili powder for about 15-30 minutes; for thick squid, make light incisions on the body to allow the seasoning to penetrate better.

• Step 3: Drying:

• • Natural sun-drying: Hang the squid on a string or hook, or place them on a drying rack/net in a well-ventilated area. Dry in the early morning when the sun is just rising to take advantage of the gentle sunlight and flip the squid regularly for even drying on both sides. After drying for about 3-4 days of strong sun, touch the squid; it should be dry on the outside and still slightly chewy on the inside to be considered standard.

• If the weather is unfavorable or for large-scale production, a drying machine should be used: Arrange the squid on racks, set the temperature between approximately 50-60°C, and dry for several hours (usually 4-6 hours) depending on the thickness of the squid. This method ensures speed and better control, without being dependent on the weather.

• Step 4 – Quality Inspection After Drying:

• • Observe the color: Standard dried squid typically has a natural light pink or pale yellow color depending on the type, not too dull or black.
  • Feel the texture: Dried squid is correct when it is not sticky to the touch and not damp within the flesh; if it is still slightly damp, it needs to be dried again or re-dried.
  • Smell and taste: A characteristic aroma of sea squid, with a sweet, meaty taste when chewed.

• Step 5 – Packaging and Labeling:

• • Use clean, dry packaging or vacuum-sealed bags to minimize air exposure, reduce oxidation, and prevent moisture loss.
  • Attach product information labels to the packaging, including the type of squid, production date, expiration date, and storage instructions. If there are food safety certifications or origin information, they should be clearly displayed.

See more: Top 10 Quality Dried Squid Production Companies in Vietnam

2. Preserving Dried Squid

No matter how delicious dried squid is, if not preserved carefully, after a short time, you will notice the flavor fading, the chewiness diminishing, or worse, mold appearing, which is very unfortunate. Here’s how to preserve dried squid without refrigeration:

• Check the squid before storing; if it feels slightly damp, sun-dry it again for 1-2 days to ensure it is completely dry.
• Once completely dry, put the squid into zip-lock bags or vacuum-sealed bags to minimize contact with air and moisture.
• Store the squid in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from direct strong sunlight, high temperatures, or humidity.
• Once a week, if the weather is sunny, you should take the squid out to dry again to remove accumulated moisture, ensuring the squid always maintains its delicious chewiness and natural aroma.

If you buy a large quantity of dried squid that you won’t use immediately and want to store it for later consumption, you should refrigerate it:

• First, wrap the dried squid in clean newspaper to prevent the smell from transferring to other foods. Then, wrap it again with a thick plastic bag or use a vacuum-sealed bag to seal it tightly.
• Place it in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator. The cold temperature helps prevent the growth of bacteria and mold, and also keeps the squid from becoming soft.
• When taking it out to use, take only the amount you need and keep the rest tightly sealed in the refrigerator. Avoid repeatedly opening the bag and exposing it to air, which can make the squid damp.

3. Ola Squid – A Place to Buy Quality Dried Squid

If you are looking for a place to buy delicious, food-safe, and reasonably priced dried squid, then Ola Squid is the reliable address. Here, squid is carefully selected and then undergoes a standard dried squid production process, with rigorous inspection at every stage to preserve its natural sweetness and flavor.

Each product at Ola Squid is meticulously vacuum-sealed, comes with complete labels and storage instructions, and is guaranteed to be free of harmful preservatives. Customers can be completely assured of the quality, clear origin, as well as attractive discount policies for bulk orders.

Ola Squid not only offers a variety of sizes and types of dried squid to choose from but also stands out with its dedicated consulting service and fast nationwide delivery. Whether you want to enjoy dried squid at home or give it as a luxurious gift, Ola Squid is ready to meet your needs with high-quality products and professional service.

Order now at Ola Squid to receive special offers on our hottest products:

• Dried Squid Snack
• Flattened Dried Squid
• Whole Dried Squid

Above are the detailed information about the dried squid production process and instructions on how to properly preserve dried squid. And don’t forget to contact Ola Squid today via hotline 0989.616.989 for consultation and detailed quotes when ordering quality, authentic dried squid here!