Freeze drying- the coolest way to preserve food ever?
Are you worried about preserving fresh food for long periods at your home and commercial spaces? Freeze drying might be the perfect answer for your needs.
The small freeze dryer is very popular among North American households. However, those new to this method are worried about the use and potential fallouts of its usage.
This article takes you through the nitty-gritty of freeze dryers, their use, and their benefits.
Let us start!
What is freeze-drying?
Technically called lyophilization, freeze-drying is a low-temperature dehydration process. It involves freezing food in a vacuum to remove water or other solvents in it.
The freeze dryers are customized to use in different domains like homes, commercial purposes, and pharmaceuticals. The sizes vary from small through medium to large.
The freeze dryer is usually accompanied by the following accessories
- Standard vacuum pump
- Oil filter
- Stainless steel trays
- Mylar bags
- Oxygen absorbers
- Impulse sealer
Though it sounds too technical, there are undeniable benefits to it.
Why is freeze-drying cool?
A home freeze dryer is perfect for the preservation of fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, and desserts. It has the following advantages.
- Nutrition: Freeze-dried foods retain more nutrients than other methods like canning and dehydration.
- Shelf-life: Freeze-dried food has an unbelievable shelf life of up to 25 years. In contrast, frozen food has a shelf life of up to 2 years only.
- Taste: The taste of the food is perfectly preserved in terms of look, smell, and texture.
- Versatile: Not just fruits and vegetables, freeze-drying can be used for fish, dairy, and even fully-cooked meals.
- Economical: Freeze drying at home is cheaper than purchasing store-bought freeze-dried food. Freeze drying leftover meals can save money for many households.
- Ease of use: Automatic freeze dryers work with a press of a button. They can be operated by anyone easily.
- Emergency use: in case of disasters and periods of financial distress.
Some drawbacks to keep in mind
- Slow process: On average, it takes more than 24 hours or more.
- Airtight containers are required for long-term storage.
- Equipment can be a tad expensive when compared to other methods of storage
- The energy-intensive process especially for households.
- Machine maintenance.
Concluding thoughts
Freeze drying is a scientific and proven method of long-term preservation. The small freezers available for households mostly cater to the household needs of small families. Choose a freeze dryer that suits your needs after exploring various options. It can be a cool way for the long-term preservation of foods for households.