Freeze-dried fruits are beneficial for cooking, carrying them to your hikes and camps, and stocking them up as a long-term snack. The freeze-drying method preserves most of the fruits’ flavour, nutrients, and structure, making them useful for daily use and emergencies.
If you want to stock up on freeze-dried fruits and make them retain their quality for the longest time, you should know how to store them at home. So, let us find out more about that.
Choosing a container
To properly store freeze dried fruits, choosing the correct container is key. Air and water should not damage the fruits, so use an airtight container. Food-grade plastic containers, glass jars with tight closures, and oxygen-filtered Mylar bags are also suitable. People like glass jars because they block air and water.
Before storing freeze-dried vegetables, make sure to clean and dry the containers. Any remaining water can affect the quality and texture when you store freeze-dried fruits in them and attract bugs and mildew. Label each container with a storage date to track food freshness and eat older items first.
Avoiding water
Freeze-dried fruits do not like water because water can ruin their taste, form, and quality. Make sure fruits and containers are dry before closing the lid.
The containers should be food-grade safe and contain moisture absorbers like silica gel packs or desiccants. These assist in soaking up if water seeps into the container accidentally. Avoid keeping them in damp places, and choose dry and cool areas for storage.
Proper temperature
How long freeze-dried fruits last depends on the storage temperature. Ideal temperatures for these fruits are 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C), to keep them delicious, crisp, and wholesome.
Avoid storing freeze-dried fruits in extreme temperatures – keeping them near ovens, stoves, or bright sunlight can lead them to rot easily.
Shelf life
It is vital to have an idea about their shelf life, to use and store freeze-dried fruits. Adopting the right storage techniques can extend the life of frozen vegetables up to 25 years, which is fantastic for preserving food. Because freeze-dried vegetables lack water, bacteria cannot develop there, and they deteriorate slower.
You should check the product label for the “best-by” or “expiration” dates, which usually vary. Also, check the fruits occasionally for symptoms of spoilage, such as changes in color, texture, or smell.
Handling and sealing
Maintaining the quality of freeze-dried fruits and vegetables requires careful handling and sealing. Before storing them, make sure they are at room temperature; this prevents condensation and accumulation of moisture, which might damage the fruits.
Use a Hoover bag to store freeze-dried fruits for long-term storage. These airtight packages prevent spoiling of the fruits. Lidded bottles should be completely closed to keep air out.
Bonus tip!!
To ensure that your freeze-dried fruits are fresh, check them periodically. Every so often, look inside packages for mold, wetness, or other signs of potential damage like change in color, texture, or smell. As mentioned before, use labels and mention dates on them to keep track. And use up old batches of freeze-dried fruits first before adding new ones. This method saves space and also ensures your stocked-up fruits do not perish easily and taste great.
Conclusion
Finally, freeze-dry fruits properly to preserve their health advantages, quality, and flavor. With the help of these suggestions, you will be able to store freeze-dried fruits in a manner that ensures they retain their quality and taste and are also safe for our health. Storing them properly ensures that you make effective use of them in times of need and also prevents wasting of money.
