What makes Freeze-Dried Snacks so popular?

Some of you may not know but Freeze-dried food has been around since the 1950’s. Personally I wasn't introduced to Freeze-Dried anything until I was in my 30's and tried freeze-dried strawberries from Walmart. They tasted OK but nothing to write home about. I've found that most freeze-dried items you get from a grocery store aren't that great.  

Then I earlier this year I discovered Freeze-dried candy, the new textures and intensified flavors made me feel like I did when I got candy as a kid. These snacks take your mouth on a nostalgic adventure, combining something familiar with something new. As I delved more into the process and the creative fun you can have with it I decided it was something I wanted to dive into.  

Since getting my freeze dryer i have don't many batches ranging from candy to fruit and even some veggies.  Of course the first thing i started with, was candy!

What you may not know is the freeze drying process removes 99% of the moisture from food. Unlike most foods, candy doesn't have much moisture in them so extracting what little they do have creates some different shapes, sizes, and textures. Although some candies, like Starbursts, retain almost all of their shape and size but have a much more intense flavor.

Other candies I've made however transform! The textures change from soft and chewy to light and fluffy. Caramel or Milk Duds for example lose most of their mass and can increase in size up to 3xs or more.  Milk Duds were a learning process because I discovered that chocolate does not freeze dry, it's too oil based. But when the caramel expands the chocolate holds on to edges. Let me tell ya, they are yummy!

What's fun is as the candy expands it takes the path of least resistance. This can create some really fun shapes. Caramels tend to become ovals, skittles chewy centers pop out of their shells and taffy tends to become airy light spheres. Seeing all the fun crazy shapes is one of my favorite things about freeze drying candy.

When you freeze fruits or veggies their shapes don't really change but the texture becomes light and crispy. Fruit and veggies that have been freeze dried also retain up to 70% of their nutrients which makes them a great healthy snack.

Since the freeze drying process does extract 99% of the water from the food it's important to keep your Freeze dried snacks in air-tight containers or it could take on the humidity in the air and begin to reconstitute.   

Freeze-dried snacks are a delicious way to enjoy old favorites in new fun ways with not only new textures, but intense flavor.