Freeze Drying vs. Dehydrating: Which is Best for Food Preservation?

The past few years have taught us the importance of being prepared. The COVID-19 pandemic and other natural disasters have shown that food shortages can happen unexpectedly. One way to prepare for food shortages is to preserve food by drying.

There exist two primary methods for drying food: dehydrating and freeze drying. Both techniques serve the purpose of eliminating moisture from food, albeit employing distinct processes.

Dehydrating

Dehydration proves to be more budget-friendly, and it conveniently lends itself to home usage with a dehydrator. By extracting approximately 85 to 95% of the moisture from food, dehydration grants it a shelf life lasting several months to a year.

Nevertheless, dehydrated food falls short in comparison to freeze-dried food when it comes to preserving flavor, texture, and nutritional value. The application of heat during the dehydration process can lead to a loss of essential nutrients and compromise the overall quality of the food. 

Freeze drying

Although the cost of a freeze dry machine may be considerable comparing to a dehydrator, freeze drying has several advantages.

First, freeze-dried food produced with a home freeze dryer has a much longer shelf life than dehydrated food. Freeze-dried food can last for up to 25 years, while dehydrated food typically has a shelf life of only several months to a year.

Second, food prepared using a home freeze dryer retains more of its flavor, texture, and nutritional value compared to dehydrated food. This is due to the sublimation process taking place at significantly lower temperatures.

Finally, a home freeze dryer allows for more versatility in food storage and preparation. Freeze-dried food can be rehydrated and used in a variety of dishes, while dehydrated food is often limited to applications in soups, stews, and snacks.

Investing in a home freeze dryer not only ensures long-lasting, high-quality food supplies but also opens up a world of culinary possibilities.

Which approach is superior?

Determining the ideal food preservation method hinges on your specific requirements and personal preferences. If your aim is to secure a long-term storage solution while ensuring optimum retention of flavor, texture, and nutritional value, freeze drying emerges as the top-notch choice. Stay Fresh offers an affordable Home Freeze Drier with industrial level performance. Alternatively, if you're seeking budget-conscious convenience for home food dehydration, traditional dehydrating presents another viable option.

Presented below is a comparative analysis of the two: