Food drying is a method of food preservation in which food is dried (dehydrated or desiccated). Drying inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and mold through the removal of water. Dehydration has been used widely for this purpose since ancient times. Water is traditionally removed through evaporation (air drying, sun drying, smoking or wind drying), food dehydrators or freeze-drying can be used to speed the drying process and ensure more consistent results.