Freeze Dried Fruit vs Dehydrated Fruit : Which One to Choose?

Freeze drying fruit is a process used to preserve fresh produce so it will be shelf-stable and last longer without preservatives. The goal is to keep the nutritional profile of the ingredients intact so the freeze-dried fruits can be used as a healthy snack, to add sweetness to dishes, and in baking.

 

Freeze drying fruit is a process used to preserve fresh produce so it will be shelf-stable and last longer without preservatives. The goal is to keep the nutritional profile of the ingredients intact so the Contact us for more product information can be used as a healthy snack, to add sweetness to dishes, and in baking.

 

The process of freeze-drying fruit commercially involves putting the berries or pieces of fruit in a vacuum chamber with a below-freezing temperature. The solid water molecules in the fruit to become a gas, leaving the food and dissipating. Through this process, the fruit and berries remain intact, and much of the nutrition found in the fresh fruit stays as well. After it’s processed, freeze-dried fruit must be packaged in airtight, moisture-proof packaging to maintain freshness.

Freeze Dried Red Raspberry

Freeze Dried Fruit vs. Dehydrated Fruit

Both freeze-drying and dehydrating fruit are methods for preserving nutritious produce for later use. By removing the moisture from fruits, including bananas, most berries, apples, dragon fruits, apricots, and pineapples, the food becomes more shelf-stable and resistant to mold or rot, which plagues fresh fruits as they age. While dehydrating and freeze-drying are both great ways to preserve fruit, the processes and the final products differ.

 

Freeze drying removes all the moisture through sub-zero temperatures. This method keeps the shape of the fruit well, and some say it preserves the flavor better. Freeze-dried goods can last decades and still offer the bright essence of the fruit.

 

Freeze Dried Fruits FD Black Currant

Freeze-dried fruit is also airy, light, and crunchy, where dehydrated fruits have a thick density and distinct chew. This chew in dehydrated fruit is due to not all the moisture being leeched from the fruit, and in fact, about one-third the water remains. Because dehydrated fruits still have some moisture, they often need preservatives to help keep the fruit shelf-stable, and even with additives, this type of dried fruit doesn’t last as long as the freeze-dried counterpart. The moisture content in dehydrated fruit also tends to make it sweeter, where freeze-dried fruit is less saccharine and can better showcase the natural flavor of the fruits.

 

Varieties

Just about any fruit, you can think of can be freeze-dried: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, blackberries, grapes, black currant, peaches, pears, apples, bananas, mango, pineapple, lychee, rambutan, citrus, and more.

 

Whole fruit is typically cut into halves, slices, or cubes before freeze-drying, though small fruits like berries can be freeze-dried whole. Freeze-dried fruit may also be sold ground into a fine powder for use in flavoring smoothies and desserts.

Freeze-Dried Strawberries

Freeze-Dried Fruit Uses

The simplest way to use freeze-dried fruit is to eat it out of hand, alone, or as a component of snack mix or trail mix. You can also use freeze-dried fruit as a topping on cereal, yogurt, or ice cream. It’s also a great option for hiking, camping, and traveling because it’s so light and compact.

 

With such a concentrated flavor, freeze-dried fruit is a great way to add intense fruit flavor (and often color) to a recipe without adding extra liquid. Because it’s so crunchy, it can also be used whole, crumbled, or powdered as a garnish to enhance the texture and appearance of a dish.

 

For many applications, freeze-dried fruit must be pulverized into a fine powder in a blender or food processor. (Be sure to remove the desiccant packet from the package before dumping its contents into your blender.) It can also be broken up with the hands or crushed under a frying pan or rolling pin for a coarser crumble.

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