Freeze-dried foods are popular. But why do people freeze-dry food? What are the pros and cons? Is it worth it? There are lots of interesting facts about freeze drying food that will help you understand it better.
Freeze drying food is great. People freeze-dry food to preserve it and make tasty, healthy, and convenient treats with great textures. But there's a cost.
We think freeze-dried food is great. Freeze-drying food has pros and cons. In this article, we'll talk about why we think freeze-dried food is great and how it differs from other preservation options.
Pros of Freeze-Dried Food
We've already shared our opinion about freeze-dried foods. We have reasons for our belief.
- People freeze-dry food because it lasts a long time. Some freeze-dried foods last up to 25 years. It's great for food storage and having a non-perishable version of your favorite foods on hand.
- Great for backpacking and other excursions where the payload is a concern. Astronauts take freeze-dried food into space.
- It keeps food's color, flavor, and nutrition. It has some good qualities, but it usually makes food shrivel up and tastes cooked. Freeze-dried foods stay bright and fresh, and they keep all the nutrients.
- Meal prep can be time-consuming, especially if you have a lot of chopping to do. You can prepare meals in advance with freeze-dried food. Freeze-dried foods rehydrate quickly.
- Most foods keep their shape when freeze-dried. Candies puff up to several times their size. Freeze-dried foods also dissolve easily. Think of a crunchy cheese puff that melts like cotton candy.
Freeze-dried food has some disadvantages.
We have some cons, but we think the pros outweigh them.
- Finding storage space is another issue. If you're serious about food storage, you'll need a lot of space. It can quickly take over your pantry, garage, or basement closet. It can be hard to create the space.
- It needs a cool, dark, dry place to keep it fresh. Packages should be airtight with an oxygen absorber. Replace the oxygen absorber if you open a package. If you don't follow these rules, the shelf life might not be as long as you'd like.
- Rotating your food could take over your meal planning. Freeze-dried food lasts a long time, but to make the most of it, you should rotate your stock. Use the oldest stuff first so you're always 25 years out.
Freeze drying vs. dehydrating.
Freeze drying and dehydration are ways to preserve food by removing water. They last longer, are lightweight, and can be stored without refrigeration. We think freeze drying is better than dehydration. Here are a few reasons why:
- Dehydration removes nutrients from food. Heating can break down nutrients.
- Dehydration doesn't last as long. Dehydrated foods take up less space but have a shorter shelf life. Dehydrated food lasts longer than fresh food, but it doesn't remove as much moisture as freeze-drying, so it doesn't last as long.
- Dehydrated food doesn't reconstitute as readily. Dehydrated food takes twice to three times as long to rehydrate as freeze-dried food. This makes meal preparation more difficult.
- Dehydrated food loses nutrients and color, but not flavor. Freeze-dried food is the same as fresh food.
Freeze drying vs. freezing.
Freezing is a common way to preserve food. It's easy and most people already have a freezer. It doesn't take long to thaw. Freeze drying has more benefits than freezing food. Here are a few examples:
- It has to stay in your freezer. Freezers are expensive to run. You probably won't turn yours off, but items kept in freezers take up space you could use for other things.
- It doesn't last as long. After a few months, you'll notice freezer burn. It takes on the smell of other things in the freezer. What happens when your power goes out? You scramble to save everything before it goes bad.
- Freezing food slowly damages the cellular structure of the food. This is true for meat as well as blueberries.
At Crunchblast, we invite you to experience the unique benefits of our freeze-dried candy for yourself. Our products offer a refreshing alternative to traditional snacks, and we're confident you'll find your new favorite.
Our convenient online store ships directly to your doorstep, making it easy for you to enjoy your favorite snacks in a whole new way.