Freeze-drying, also called lyophilization, is like suspended animation because it keeps the product totally intact, but without water. As you eat fruits, your mouth rehydrates the product restoring it to its original state.
Better Than Canning and Dehydrating
As a food preservation method, Freeze Drying is much better than canning and dehydrating because it will last 7 to 8 times longer. Canning requires preservatives whereas Freeze Dried products are 100% natural and no preservatives, no additives. In dehydration important vitamins, oils and minerals et evaporated whereas Freeze Dried all vitals are preserved.
Preserves Taste, Colour, and Nutritional Value
Freeze drying is remarkable because it causes no damage to the nutrition of the food being preserved. Other methods of preservation, such as canning and dehydrating, use higher temperatures that can destroy more than half (50%) the food value. Freeze drying does not shrink or toughen the food but retains the aroma, flavor, color, shape and nutritional content. Simply add water. Apples, cheese, peas, ice cream, and yogurt will still look and taste fresh because, in reality, they still are. Without water and oxygen to spoil the food, it is as if the food has been placed in a time capsule. It will last and last and last!
New and Modern Approach
Freeze drying food is a relatively new process and the best part of it is that it can be rehydrated. As if you have just taken fresh food from the garden. The new technique is used for preparing food for astronauts because of its light weight and rehydration characteristics.
Ideal as snacks for expeditors:
It is very light in weight because about 96% moisture is taken away from the products. Almost all freeze-dried fruits are ready to eat type where it can be eaten as snacks. Because of lightweight expeditors can easily carry it and it is full of nutrients and gives energy.
Saves Time and labor
Freeze dried p[roducts are easy to store and does not require refrigeration. Hence it is ideal for preparing food. For example, spinach powder or spinach flakes can be kept in the house and whenever needed just open the pack and use it in your food preparation, it will give you fresh taste, aroma and all the vitamins and nutrients fresh spinach will give. This will save a lot of trouble in washing, cutting mixing in case of fresh Spinach from the market.
Freeze Dried Products do not require refrigeration:
Store in a cool dry place away from moisture and the product will last for years and still remain fresh.