Freeze Drying
Freeze-drying is like magic for preserving food. First, we freeze the food to make it really cold. Then, we put it in a special machine that sucks out all the moisture. This process keeps the food fresh and tasty for a long time without the need for refrigeration. It's great because it locks in the flavors and nutrients, so when you want to eat it, you just add some water, and it comes back to life, almost like it was never dried at all!
About
Extended Shelf Life:
Freeze-drying removes the moisture from produce and herbs, preventing the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast. This process significantly extends their shelf life. Freeze-dried products can be stored for an extended period without spoiling, often for years.
Preservation of Nutritional Value:
Freeze-drying retains much of the original nutritional value of the produce and herbs. Unlike traditional drying methods, which can lead to nutrient loss due to exposure to heat, freeze-drying involves freezing the items first and then removing moisture under vacuum conditions, which minimizes nutrient degradation.
Intense Flavor and Aroma:
Freeze-dried produce and herbs often retain their original flavor, aroma, and color. This is because the low-temperature process preserves the volatile compounds responsible for these sensory characteristics.
Lightweight and Compact:
Freeze-dried products are lightweight and have minimal bulk compared to their fresh or dehydrated counterparts. This makes them easy to transport and store, making them ideal for backpacking, camping, and emergency food supplies.
Rehydration:
Freeze-dried items are easy to rehydrate. When you add water, they quickly regain their original texture and appearance, making them versatile for use in cooking and snacking.
No Additives or Preservatives:
Freeze-drying typically doesn't require the addition of chemical preservatives or additives, making the final product free from unwanted chemicals.
Reduced Food Waste:
By freeze-drying surplus or seasonal produce, you can reduce food waste. Freeze-dried items can be stored until needed, preventing spoilage and the need to discard unused portions.
Convenience:
Freeze-dried produce and herbs are convenient to use in recipes. They are pre-cut and prepped, saving time in the kitchen. You can also easily measure and control portions.
Overall, freeze-drying is an effective method for preserving the taste, nutrition, and quality of produce and herbs while offering the convenience of long-term storage and versatile culinary applications.
What We Freeze Dry
Herbs:
Our favorite things to freeze dry are herbs grown right here on our property. Oregano is a top favorite. Amazing on a homemade pizza, lasagna, your favorite pasta or anything really. Having fresh oregano, instead of dried, is a game changer for any dish, and who has fresh oregano year round?
Green Onions, also known as Chives, is another top seller. Did you know, you can chop your green onions and place the stems in a mason jar to grow back within a few days? You will need to change the water daily to avoid sliminess, but it's still pretty handy. If you're not about all that, we've got you covered. Our top seller for freeze dried herbs is green onions. They taste and smell the exact same as the day they were chopped. Great for ramens, potatoes, soups, almost everything that needs some extra flavor.
Cocktail Kits:
I refer to them as cocktail kits but they can be used for so much more. Our kits include Lemons, Limes, Oranges, and Jalepenoe's. Most the time when you garnish a cocktail it comes with something dehydrated. Freeze dried garnishes actually come back to life and do a whole lot more than add something pretty to look at, you get the vibrant flavor and the nutrients. This is the perfect gift for a bar kit, because let's be real, who ever has all four of these items fresh on hand?
Lemons:
Lemons are a fan favorite for all sorts of reasons. I never have fresh lemons on stock when I want a nice glass of tea. This is the perfect addition. Or lemon water?
Candies and Ice Cream:
Freeze dried candies are all the craze, they are literally everywhere. Ice cream and ice cream sandwiches are pretty fun too. Who doesn't want astronaut ice cream? These specific things don't really fit with our brand or what were interested in, as we spend a lot of time trying to get away from all these specific ingredients, BUT, we still understand kids gotta live. We don't offer these things for sale individually, but we do offer to freeze dry these types of things for birthday parties and events with private labels. We can do platters, or individual bags as treats. It's all up to you. I can design labels for any occasion and package accordingly. I do need some heads up for this type of stuff as this isn't stuff we freeze dry to keep in stock. We freeze dry per order.