Freeze-dried food - what is it and what is its use?
Freeze-dried food was originally intended for astronauts, but with the implementation of its mass production it has become available to everyone. Nowadays it is very popular among soldiers and people engaged in outdoor activities such as survival, bushcraft, hiking, climbing and sailing.
From this guide you will learn: what freeze-dried food is, how it is made, its properties and in what situations it will work best.
What is freeze-dried food?
Freeze-dried food is a type of food that is processed through a special process called freeze-drying. It involves drying frozen food using reduced pressure. During this process, 70 to as much as 96% of water is removed from the food. This stops the growth of microorganisms and significantly slows down enzymatic processes. Freeze-dried food retains its natural structure and properties, but its weight is significantly reduced.
Freeze-drying consists of three stages:
- Freezing the product: the freezing temperature of a product can vary depending on how and what is freeze-dried, but usually the temperatures are very low, even reaching tens of degrees below zero.
- Sublimation: the frozen product is subjected to reduced pressure, resulting in the sublimation of water, i.e. the transition from a solid state to a gas.
- Drying: in this phase, the water in the product after sublimation is gently evaporated, leaving the food dry and moisture-free.
How do you prepare freeze-dried food for consumption? Well, all you need to do is pour warm or cold water over it. The method depends on the chosen food, follow the instructions on the package.
Freeze-dried food - when is it worth reaching for it?
Freeze-dried food has certain characteristics that make it ideal for outdoor conditions, but there is no obstacle to consuming it more often. Nowadays, it is not a product designed exclusively for soldiers or Himalayan explorers. As a result, you can even take it to work or school. This is especially useful when you don't have access to a kitchen or restaurant but want to eat something nutritious and tasty. This type of food will also be great for hiking, biking, survival activities, camping and many other activities.
It is worth mentioning that freeze-dried food can be particularly useful in emergency situations, such as natural disasters or power outages.
Advantages of freeze-dried food
Freeze-dried food has many advantages, such as:
- Long shelf life - usually amounts to several years.
- Temperature - freeze-dried food does not require storage in refrigeration equipment. It can be stored at room temperature for a long time (even for several years).
- Low weight - the freeze-drying process reduces the weight of food by up to 90% compared to the weight before freeze-drying.
- Simple preparation - it is enough to pour the food with the required amount of hot water, as a rule, and mix thoroughly and wait several minutes. There is no need to cook or prepare complicated meals. This works very well when traveling, when access to traditional appliances such as stoves, is limited or impossible.
- No need for utensils - which may be an advantage for some, meals are delivered in packages into which water is poured and from which the meal is consumed directly.
Nutritional values of freeze-dried food
In terms of nutrients, freeze-dried food is not significantly different from fresh food. The freeze-drying process does not make the food lose nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and protein.
Freeze-dried food vs. shelf life
Freeze-dried food has a very long shelf life. It can be stored at room temperature for many years without refrigeration or freezing. The manufacturer usually puts an expiration date on the package, which indicates how long the product is fit for consumption.
In the case of popular freeze-dried products, such as Lyo Food, information about the shelf life can be found on the package. With this manufacturer it is 5 years.
Wide choice of freeze-dried foods
The range of freeze-dried foods is very diverse and includes dishes from different cuisines of the world. Whatever your dietary preferences, you can find suitable options, whether for vegetarians, carnivores or those looking for fruity snacks.
Here are some examples of freeze-dried meals that can be found on the market, with Lyo Food and Trek'n'Eat manufacturers as example:
- meat dishes: pork with rice, chili con carne, couscous with chicken,
Tactical Foodpack Rice and pork - vegetable dishes: vegetarian pasta bolognese, vegetable jambalaya, vegan potato and roasted onion dish,
Trek'n Eat - vegetable jambalaya - fruits and snacks: freeze-dried fruits (strawberries, apples, cherries),
LYO Food freeze-dried strawberries - freeze-dried bars: high-energy snacks made from fruit (e.g., cherries, apples),
Arpol FRUPP freeze-dried bar - cherry - smoothie: freeze-dried smoothie (e.g., with raspberries, rhubarb) with the addition of protein powder.
Is freeze-dried food healthy?
Freeze-dried food is healthy because it retains its initial properties, namely:
- organoleptic characteristics (taste, smell, texture),
- caloric content,
- nutritional and biological value (vitamins, chelated minerals, amino acids, enzymes).
Because freeze-dried foods are dried in a frozen state, the nutrients they contain are not degraded.
Freeze-dried food offer at MILITARY.EU
At MILITARY.EU, freeze-dried food is available from brands such as Lyo Food, Tactical Foodpack, Adventure Food and Trek'n'Eat. In our offer, you will find dishes inspired by dishes from different parts of the world, such as Asian delicacies. Of course, we haven't forgotten about traditional Polish dishes, such as bigos.
There is also no shortage of dishes specially prepared with vegetarians in mind in our offers. Vegetarian burgers are one example - a wholesome meal that will satisfy your appetite and provide you with essential nutrients.
For fruit fans we have something special. The freeze-dried smoothie with protein powder we offer is ideal for those who want to support their muscles during prolonged exercise.
We also recommend freeze-dried fruits, which are a great addition to breakfast at camp or a tasty snack during mountain hikes.
