How to Freeze Dry Food the Right Way
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Learn how to use a home freeze drying machine to preserve foods while still retaining their nutritional value and flavor.
Freeze drying is a process for preserving different types of food, and the benefits of freeze-dried food are many. While dehydrated foods sometimes have a very different texture and taste from their fresh counterparts, freeze-dried foods retain their flavor, color, and structure. Moreover, they also retain their nutritional content. Freeze-dried food shelf life is significantly longer than that of other preservation methods. Foods, including meat and produce, can stay safe for up to 25 years.
Here’s why you should consider adding freeze drying to your kitchen skillset and how to freeze-dry food safely.
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What Is Freeze Drying?
Freeze drying, also called lyophilization, is a two-step process that preserves food. First, items are frozen to subzero temperatures. After this, a vacuum lowers the pressure, allowing sublimation to occur. Sublimation refers to the process where the ice from the frozen food items skips the liquid phase, turning from a solid directly into a gas. However, because the ice was still present when the foods were initially frozen, their original size, shape, and texture remains unchanged, even after the sublimation process is complete. The nutrients in freeze-dried foods are also not altered. Food can be cooked before or after freeze drying it. However, the process does not kill bacteria on food, so if you freeze dry raw meat or eggs, they will need to be cooked before eating.
The safest way to freeze dry foods at home is to use a freeze drying machine. While you might find other freeze drying methods online using dry ice or just a standard freezer, there is no research supporting the safety or efficacy of these options. According to Utah State University, in order for freeze-dried food to be safe, the freezing process must be quick, and only residual moisture should be left after the vacuuming process. Using a freeze drying appliance is the safest way to ensure that both of these criteria are met.
How to Freeze Dry Food the Right Way
As mentioned above, using a freeze drying appliance is the safest way to freeze dry food at home. With a machine specifically designed for the process, you can be confident that the freezing and sublimation steps will occur as required to preserve your items.
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