FAQ: How is Fruit Freeze Dried?
When first learning about how is fruit freeze dried, it even surprised us to learn how old a technique it is. Freeze dried fruit might be all the rage right now, but the process actually dates back several decades.
The modern industry of freeze dried food really started in the late 1970s, when economic conditions led many to stockpiling and storing food for years at a time.
Another thing that surprised us when first learning how is fruit freeze dried is how much time and energy it takes. Freeze-drying is actually one of the most energy-intensive ways to preserve food.
To give you an example of the energy involved, Mountain House, a leading supplier of freeze dried meals, freeze-dries its food in 3,000 pound batches for around 18 to 20 hours. The freeze dried product ends up weighing about 900 pounds and requires about 2.4 million BTUs of heat energy. That’s more energy than either canning or freezing food.
When talking specifically about how is fruit freeze dried, one of the reasons why it’s worth so much time and energy is because it’s one of the best ways to preserve fruit with minimal loss of nutrients.
What are the most popular freeze dried fruits at Crispy Green??
- Freeze Dried Strawberries
- Freeze Dried Bananas
- Freeze Dried Apples
Click here to buy our freeze dried products.
How do you make freeze dried fruit? Crispy Green Process
The process of freeze drying fruit takes place in three steps which, appropriately enough, begins with freezing the fruit.
How is Fruit Freeze Dried: Step 1
Our process starts start with selecting top-quality fresh fruit, sourced from certified, carefully selected growers who undergo a stringent audit review process.The fruit that passes our review process is then frozen to below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
How is Fruit Freeze Dried: Step 2
During the next step in the freeze drying process, the fruit is placed in a vacuum chamber under low heat. While in the vacuum chamber, a process called “sublimation” occurs when frozen water crystals evaporate directly from ice to water vapor.
The fruit then undergoes one more session of drying under slightly higher temperatures to remove any remaining water molecules.
How is Fruit Freeze Dried: Step 3
During the third and final step, the freeze dried fruit slices are collected and inspected. Qualified fruit slices are packaged into moisture-proof and air-proof packages to preserve nutrition, flavor, and freshness.
Crispy Green products are packaged in high quality triple-layer poly-bags with an aluminium lining to protect the finished products from moisture and light for a long shelf-life.
All of our fruit is processed and freeze dried according to the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, an international standard that identifies critical control points, sets safety procedures and preventive measures, and maintains strict documentation for certification.
Now that you know the process for how is fruit freeze dried, we hope you have an even greater appreciation for the work that goes into the delicious pieces of freeze-dried fruit you enjoy.
If you now have a sudden craving for freeze dried fruit, please browse our full selection here and we’ll get it to your door as soon as possible!
