We freeze-dry our products using a Harvest Right freeze dryer in our public health inspected kitchen. We prepare each product differently – some items are sliced or chopped, and others are freeze-dried as-is. One thing that does remain constant is our promise that we do not add any sugars, preservatives, or other additives to our products.
Once the food is prepped, it’s placed on a tray and closed tightly in the freeze dryer to be frozen solid. What makes freeze-drying unique is the process that happens next! When the food is fully frozen, the machine lowers the pressure, creating a vacuum. The temperature increases, supplying enough heat to cause the ice to convert to a vapour in a process called sublimation, the transition of a substance directly from a solid state to a gas state.
During sublimation, about 98% of all water is removed from the food product, creating a unique, light, crunchy texture. This is what differentiates freeze-drying from dehydration, which only removes about 80% of the moisture from foods.
The time it takes to freeze-dry each food item varies depending on the amount of water the product contains. Our products can take anywhere from 12 to 40 hours to completely freeze-dry.
Once the freeze-drying process is complete, we package the product in a tightly sealed mylar bag with an oxygen absorber to keep out any moisture. Freeze-dried foods can last for years when properly stored in a cool, dry environment.
So Why Freeze-Dry?
Besides the fact that they are fun to eat, there are many reasons you might choose freeze-dried foods:
- Properly stored freeze-dried foods can last for up to 25 years, making them a great option for emergency food storage
- These foods are lightweight and travel well, making them a great snack on-the-go or source of nutrients for hikers, backpackers, and campers
- Studies have shown that freeze-driedfoods typically retain over 90% of the original fresh food’s nutrition
- Freeze-drying preserves the flavours of the original product and sometimes even intensifies them!
- Freeze-dried foods can be rehydrated or incorporated into many other foods, such as oatmeal, smoothies, and baked goods
Explore our freeze-dried foods here to learn more about their benefits and uses!
