Freeze-drying is a unique food preservation technique that involves removing water from frozen food. The food item is initially frozen, after which its water content is removed through sublimation, and then it goes through a secondary drying process called desorption.
Freeze-dried foods retain almost all their nutritional value and taste, making it a preservation technique of choice. Freeze-dried foods can store without refrigeration or any further preservation for as long as ten years. Additionally, most food items can be successfully freeze-dried except for certain foods with very high sugar or fat content. Butter, chocolate, heavy cream, mayonnaise, alcohol, and peanut butter are examples of such food items. Without further ado, here are four unique that can be freeze-dried.
1. Eggs (Raw and Cooked)
No food preservation techniques can preserve raw eggs for as long as ten years while retaining their nutritional value and taste as close to the fresh ones as possible. However, when properly freeze-dried, your eggs can last for up to 20 years with no need for further preservation.
To preserve your raw eggs, you whisk them and freeze-dry them. It can then be stored for as long as you want in this powdered form. To cook, two tablespoons of egg powder equals one egg. Alternatively, you can freeze-dry your eggs after scrambling and rehydrate them with a bit of water in a hot skillet.
2. Ice cream & Yoghurt
Freeze-drying is your go-to option if you want to preserve your diary products way beyond their expiry date. Freeze-dried ice cream has a meringue-like airy texture. However, the texture isn’t as soft as that of fresh ice cream, but the taste remains unchanged.
Freeze-dried yogurt retains all of its taste and texture, and they make an excellent healthy snack option for any occasion.
3. Raw meat
Rehydrating freeze-dried meat doesn’t take long, and it always turns out great. You only need to submerge the meat in water for a few minutes and use it as you use raw meat. Freeze-dried meat can store for as long as 15 years, and once rehydrated, it looks exactly as it was when fresh.
If you have freeze-dried cooked meat, the process of rehydrating remains the same, and your meat remains fresh.
4. Leafy Greens
With the option of Freeze-drying, you don’t have to waste any leafy green you have. You can buy greens in abundance when it is in the season to use all year round and for years to come. Freeze-drying leafy greens can be an excellent option for home gardeners who do not have to restrict what they plant to what is enough for their immediate use. On rehydrating freeze-dried greens, you can use them as you would the fresh greens in salads, smoothies, garnishes, or however you like it.
Finally, freeze-drying food is a great way to prevent food spoilage and wastage. Lots of food that other preservation methods can’t store last for years when freeze-dried.