Advantages of freeze-drying in foods: Preservation and flavor
Freeze-drying has gained popularity in recent years, especially in the food world. This process not only allows foods to be preserved for longer, but it also preserves their flavor and nutrients. This is ideal for cafés and restaurants.
In this article we will explore the advantages of freeze-drying in foods and how this technique transforms our culinary experience.
What is freeze-drying in the food industry?
Freeze-drying is a preservation process that removes moisture from foods while maintaining their structure and nutrients. This method is based on freezing the product followed by dehydration under vacuum. Thanks to this technique, foods can be stored for long periods without the need for preservatives.
Fruit freeze-drying process
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Selection and preparation
Fruits at their optimal ripeness are chosen, washed, peeled and, when appropriate, cut into pieces. For fruits with thick skin or hard shells, it is common to perforate the skin to facilitate the subsequent removal of water.
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Rapid freezing
The fruits are frozen at ultra-low temperatures, generally between −40ºC and −50ºC, which helps preserve structure and nutrients. Rapid freezing is key to preserving cellular integrity and flavor, and to avoid the formation of large ice crystals that can damage texture.
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Vacuum drying or sublimation (primary drying)
The frozen fruits are subjected to intense vacuum in a freeze-drying chamber. Under these conditions, the ice sublimates directly to water vapor (without passing through a liquid state), removing the majority of the moisture. This step can remove up to 98% of the water while preserving flavor, color, and almost all original nutrients.
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Secondary drying and stabilization
After sublimation, the temperature is slightly raised (while maintaining the vacuum) to remove residual water that is molecularly bound, achieving a final moisture between 1% and 5%, ideal to ensure prolonged shelf life and prevent microorganism growth.
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Airtight packaging
Finally, the freeze-dried fruits are packaged in airtight bags or containers, often vacuum-sealed, to prevent rehydration and preserve freshness. When stored correctly, these fruits can last between 10 and 20 months without refrigeration.
Examples of freeze-dried foods
Freeze-drying has revolutionized the way we preserve and enjoy foods. Among the best-known examples are raspberries, strawberries and bananas, which retain their intense flavor and vibrant color. These snacks are ideal to take anywhere.
In addition to fruits, you can find vegetables freeze-dried such as spinach and carrots. These options are perfect for adding nutrients to our meals.
Advantages of freeze-drying in foods
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Preserves nutrients and properties: It maintains most nutrients, flavor, color, aroma and texture of foods, since the process is carried out at low temperatures.
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Long shelf life: Freeze-dried products last a long time without the need for preservatives or cold chain, thanks to the low residual moisture that prevents microorganism development.
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Reduced weight and volume: By removing almost all the water, products weigh less and are easy to transport and store.
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Efficient rehydration: Foods can easily recover their original properties simply by adding water.
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No additives: They generally do not require preservatives or additives for their preservation.
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Ideal for heat-sensitive products: It is suitable for preserving heat-sensitive substances, such as vitamins and enzymes.
Freeze-dried Raspberry in Mexico
The freeze-dried raspberry from Don Florencio in Mexico is a natural and organic product with an extended shelf life of up to 3 years, significantly longer than the 15 days of fresh fruit. It does not take up space nor requires refrigeration, which makes storage and transportation easier.
Being in powder form, freeze-dried raspberry is very versatile and can be added or dissolved easily into any food or liquid for various culinary preparations.
Wholesale freeze-dried fruit
In addition, at Don Florencio Alimentos we offer wholesale options that include strawberry, raspberry, and our raspberry crumble edition which is a chunk presentation that can be used in pastry or to add texture to different dishes.
This wholesale variety allows retailers and producers to access freeze-dried fruit in a crunchy and practical format for their needs.
Exploring the multiple applications of freeze-dried fruit can open new doors for many companies and consumers interested in improving their diet with innovative products.