Freeze-drying food has been around for decades, but in recent years, it’s become a massive trend. From emergency preparedness to snacking and even pet food, freeze-dried options are everywhere. But what exactly makes this process so popular? And why are foods like freeze-dried Skittles, eggs, strawberries, and beef trending? Here is a brief guide on freeze-drying and the benefits.
What Is Freeze-Drying?
Freeze-drying is a food preservation method that removes moisture from food while preserving its taste, texture, and nutritional value. The process involves freezing food at ultra-low temperatures, then slowly reducing the pressure to allow ice to transition directly from solid to gas (a process called sublimation). This results in food that’s incredibly lightweight, shelf-stable, and easy to rehydrate.
Why Is Freeze-Dried Food So Popular?
There are a few key reasons why freeze-dried food is taking off:
- Long Shelf Life: Freeze-dried foods can last for years, making them perfect for emergency kits and long-term storage.
- Lightweight & Portable: With the moisture removed, the food becomes significantly lighter, making it ideal for camping, hiking, and travel.
- Minimal Nutrient Loss: Unlike traditional dehydration, freeze-drying retains most of the food’s vitamins and minerals.
- Convenience: Just add water, and many freeze-dried foods return to their original state, ready to eat.
- Minimal Additives: Unlike many other preservation methods, freeze drying doesn’t require preservatives, making it attractive to health-conscious consumers.
- Flavor Intensity: Removing water concentrates flavors, often making freeze-dried foods taste more vibrant than their fresh counterparts.
The Science Behind Freeze Drying
So how does freeze drying actually work? It’s not magic (though the results sometimes seem magical)—it’s science! The process involves three main steps:
- Freezing: First, the food is frozen solid, typically at temperatures below -40°F (-40°C). This converts all water in the food to ice.
- Primary drying (sublimation): The frozen food is placed in a vacuum chamber where the pressure is reduced. Under these conditions, the ice crystals convert directly from solid to vapor—skipping the liquid phase entirely. This process is called sublimation.
- Secondary drying (desorption): Finally, any remaining bound water molecules are removed through desorption, leaving the food with just 1-2% moisture content.
What makes this process so special is that the food never goes through a liquid phase during drying. Cell structures remain intact, which preserves the food’s original shape and texture. This is why a freeze-dried strawberry looks like a strawberry—just lighter and crunchier!
The Process at Home
Want to freeze-dry food at home? Here’s what you need to know about the process:
Supplies Needed:
- A freeze dryer: Home freeze dryers, like those from Harvest Right, are becoming more affordable and user-friendly.
- A vacuum pump: This helps remove moisture through sublimation.
- Trays: Used to lay out the food evenly.
- Sealable bags or airtight containers: For storing the finished product.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Prepare the Food: Cut fruits, meats, or meals into small, even pieces.
- Pre-Freeze the Food: Place it in the freezer for a few hours. This is optional but speeds up the process.
- Load the Freeze Dryer: Spread the food evenly on the trays.
- Start the Process: The freeze dryer will freeze the food, lower the pressure, and remove the moisture.
- Store Properly: Once dried, store the food in vacuum-sealed bags or airtight containers with oxygen absorbers.
Benefits of Freeze-Dried Foods
The benefits of freeze-dried foods go well beyond just their novelty factor:
Nutritional preservation: Unlike other preservation methods that can degrade nutrients, freeze drying retains most of the original nutritional value. Studies suggest that freeze-dried foods maintain 97% of their nutritional content.
No refrigeration needed: Once freeze-dried, foods can be stored at room temperature in a sealed container, making them perfect for situations without refrigeration.
Reduced food waste: Freeze drying extends the usable life of foods that might otherwise spoil, helping reduce food waste.
Natural taste: Without added preservatives or heat-based processing, freeze-dried foods maintain their natural flavors—just intensified!
Lightweight: Freeze-dried foods typically weigh about 20% of their original weight, making them ultra-portable.
Rapid rehydration: Unlike some dehydrated foods that take significant time to rehydrate, many freeze-dried foods rehydrate quickly and completely.
Trending Freeze-Dried Foods
Freeze-drying can be used for fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, candy, and other foods. It’s also used in the pharmaceutical and aeronautical industries. The following are some trending freeze-dried foods that people are experimenting with.
The Freeze-Dried Candy Craze
If you haven’t tried freeze-dried candy yet, you’re missing out on one of the most interesting food trends of recent years. The process transforms ordinary candies into crunchy, intensified versions of themselves—and people can’t get enough!
Freeze-dried candy started as a niche product but has exploded into the mainstream, with dedicated shops opening across the country and online stores struggling to keep popular items in stock.
What happens when you freeze-dry candy? The water removal causes the candy to expand and become light and crispy. The sugar crystalizes differently, creating new texture sensations. And perhaps most importantly, the flavors become more concentrated and intense.
Popular candidates for freeze drying include:
- Skittles
- Starburst
- Sour Patch Kids
- Jolly Ranchers
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate-covered treats
The trend has become so popular that some entrepreneurs have built entire businesses around selling freeze-dried candy.
Freeze-Dried Skittles: The Internet’s Favorite Crunchy Treat
Of all the freeze-dried candies out there, Skittles have emerged as the undisputed champion. These colorful little morsels transform dramatically during the freeze-drying process, puffing up to about three times their original size while maintaining their vibrant colors.
When you bite into a freeze-dried Skittle, you experience an intense crunch followed by a concentrated burst of flavor as the candy melts on your tongue. It’s this unique textural journey—from airy crispiness to melty sweetness—that has made freeze-dried Skittles such a sensation.
On social media platforms, videos of people crunching into freeze-dried Skittles have garnered millions of views. The ASMR quality of that distinctive crunch, combined with the visual appeal of the expanded candy, creates content that’s almost irresistibly clickable.
Freeze-Dried Eggs
Perfect for campers, hikers, and anyone who wants a long-lasting protein source, freeze-dried eggs can be rehydrated and cooked just like fresh eggs. They retain their nutritional value and taste, making them a go-to for emergency food storage.
Freeze-Dried Strawberries
A favorite snack and ingredient, freeze-dried strawberries are packed with flavor and nutrients. They’re great for adding to cereals, yogurt, or even baked goods. Plus, they don’t spoil as quickly as fresh strawberries.
Other popular freeze-dried fruits include:
- Bananas (which develop an extra-sweet, almost caramel-like flavor)
- Raspberries (intense tartness with no seeds to get stuck in your teeth)
- Mangoes (tropical flavor without the stringiness)
- Blueberries (concentrated antioxidant bombs)
- Apple slices (light, crispy chips with concentrated apple flavor)
Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Pet owners love freeze-dried dog food because it’s raw, nutrient-dense, and free from preservatives. It provides all the benefits of a raw diet without the hassle of refrigeration. Many brands offer freeze-dried options for pet owners who want high-quality food for their furry friends.
Freeze-Dried Beef
For those who want a long-lasting protein source, freeze-dried beef is a great option. Whether used for backpacking meals or emergency storage, it maintains its protein content and can be rehydrated for easy meal prep.
Is Freeze-Dried Food Worth It?
Absolutely! Whether you’re looking for convenience, long shelf life, or better nutrition, freeze-dried food has a lot to offer. It’s perfect for anyone who wants healthy, tasty food with minimal preparation. With the growing trend of freeze-dried candy and snacks, it’s clear this method of preservation isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.