Organic Freeze Dried Foods
From LoveToKnow Organic
Organic freeze dried foods are convenient for hiking or camping excursions. These nutritious foods keep well while you are enjoying life in the outdoors.
The Process of Freeze Dried Foods
The history of freeze dried food dates back to the ancient Incas in Peru. Above the heights of the mountains of Machu Picchu, the Incas stored potatoes and other crops. Due to the low air pressure in the high, cold we call the altitudes, the water inside the crops vaporized. Now the removal of the water content from frozen food is called lyophilization. The dehydration part of the process occurs under a vacuum. Shrinkage is eliminated or minimized, and the result is an almost perfect means of preservation.
Freeze dried food is easy to carry, store, and is tasty. Due to these factors, freeze dried meals and snacks are used in space travel voyages. In the Vietnam War, soldiers consumed freeze dried foods, valuing their light weight and easy storage. Since the 1960s over 400 different types of foods have been commercially produced under this process. While freeze dried coffee is some of the best, items like watermelon and lettuce cannot be preserved in this fashion due to their high natural water content.
The Benefits of Freeze Dried Foods
- Taste - The flavor is tasty and fresh. All vitamins and nutrients remain in the food, just as they are when first grown and picked.
- Appearance - The food looks as it does fresh. It maintains its original shape and texture. When water is added to freeze dried items, in a few minutes the food rehydrates back to its natural state.
- Volume - Organic freeze dried food weighs less than fresh food since 98 percent of their water has been removed. Due to this, the food takes up less space to transport and is light to carry. For example, a three pound chicken weighs only one pound after freeze drying.
- Ease of Storage - Foods do not need to be chilled or cold, so storing freeze dried fruits and vegetables is inexpensive.
- Long shelf life - Freeze dried foods can be stored on shelves at room temperature for many years without losing their nutritional value or taste. The food does not spoil or rot.
Freeze Dried Food Available
If the food has been grown in an organic environment, it remains organic when it undergoes the freeze drying process. Meat, desserts, coffee, juices, snacks, and dinner entrees all come in freeze dried formation.
Banana chips are probably one of the most popular foods, able to be enjoyed in packed school lunches. Some of the other foods available include:
- Vegetables - Carrots, peas, edamame, corn, broccoli, celery
- Fruits - Blueberries, cherries, cranberries, pineapples, apples, raspberries, bananas, papaya
Where to Purchase Organic Freeze Dried Foods
Before you head out on your camping trip or hiking adventure, check some of these producers of organic foods.
- USA Emergency Supply has organic, freeze dried foods from the supplier Mountain House, as well as others.
- Nature's Flavors is an online shopping mall for organic and natural products that promote well-being and health.
- Wilderness Dining has great selection, prices, and service on their organic foods. They also sell grills, Dutch ovens and other items used for outdoor dining.
Keeping Informed
You might want to do some research to see which foods are best to buy organic. Almost all foods can have their water removed and undergo the freeze dried method, but if you want solely organic foods, be sure to check certifications on labels. This will help you to avoid any food fraud. Freeze dried foods are a healthy, convenient alternative to canned and frozen foods, made better when they are organic.
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This page has been accessed 1,781 times. This page was last modified 13:35, 1 December 2008.
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