If you are considering making a trip into the wilderness or simple stocking you cupboards for an emergency, freeze dried foods have some great advantages over food preservation methods. The method of freeze drying is essentially quite a simple one. The products that is intended for freeze drying is first flash frozen to ensure an even distribution of temperature. Then they vacuum out all the moisture content in the food at temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Each company will use a different design for their packaging but essentially it is oxygen and moisture proof packet which is vacuum sealed to preserve freshness so you can store the items over an extended period. Preparing the food is as simple as hydrating and heating.
So now we understand what freeze dried foods are and how they are made, we can begin to look at some of the advantages that they have other almost all other preservation methods. The main reason that has been published widely is that freeze drying preserves not only the food itself but also the flavor. The product will taste as good when you rehydrate it as it did the day it was prepared.
As inconsequential as it may seem, aesthetical freeze dried food retains the same shape and color that it had from the beginning. It would be great shame to eat food that tasted great, had retained all of its goodness yet looked less than appetizing.
For whatever reason you have decided to purchase freeze dried products you will be glad to know that they weigh less than regular products. Up to 98 percent of the water content is removed in the process of freeze drying so the bulk of the weight is removed too. This also greatly reduces the size of its contents so if you are looking at long term storage these would be some of the ideal products for you to consider.
Freeze dried foods also have an amazingly long shelf life. They do not need any special storage methods and can simply be stored at room temperature without running the risk of them deteriorating or spoiling. By removing the water and oxygen from the product they remove two of the greatest factors in food deterioration. Most companies will, as a failsafe, employ some type of oxygen remover such as an iron oxide tablet which will be packed with your food to absorb any leftover oxygen.
Lastly the variety of produce that can freeze dried is endless, from fruits to meats and even complete meals. The complete meals can be anything from stew and potatoes to cheese burgers. All of them simply need rehydrating and heating and they are ready to consume. Some companies have up to and beyond four hundred different varieties of food available to the consumer. So why not take a browse around at your local retailer or search around online and you should be able to find a company that has the exact variety of products that suit your needs.
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