To solve this, freeze-dried staple foods are an excellent option. A great alternative to rehydratable meals. These foods offer numerous benefits for everyone. If you'd like to get some, Freezedried & Co has a wide variety available to make your hiking trip or outdoor adventure even better.

Freeze-dried staple foods

The question of food preservation

Food preservation has long presented numerous challenges. Given the role food plays in human life, this is easy to understand. Recently, a highly effective and practical solution has emerged. Freeze-drying is a food preservation process that removes moisture from products while retaining their flavour. In detail, the food is frozen and then fully dried to extract its water content. Simply add water to restore it to its original form. This technology delivers the best results in food preservation (especially snacks) and maintains a high level of nutrients.

Which foods can be freeze-dried?

Based on the principle of freeze-drying, the more water a food contains, the better it responds to this preservation method. Water is the key factor in freeze-drying. As a result, aside from foods that are too sugary, salty, or oily — such as honey — virtually all foods can be freeze-dried. Foods commonly subjected to this process include: fruits (lightly sweetened), vegetables, meat, cheese, and hot drinks. To broaden your knowledge and offer you a new experience, we showcase a wide range of freeze-dried products. We have something for every taste, at prices to suit every budget.

Meat and starchy foods

For meat lovers, we stock freeze-dried beef and chicken cubes available in tins. They are high in protein, with a fat content of 45.4g to 57.2g and an energy value of 1,456.6 kJ to 1,249 kJ per product. We also carry freeze-dried rice, rich in carbohydrates (826g) and protein (87g). These figures are not fixed values — they vary depending on your choice of meat and starchy foods.

Fruits and vegetables

To replenish your vitamins, we stock a range of freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. A varied selection of fruit and vegetable powders is available. To use fruit powders, simply add warm or cold water according to your preference. The same process applies to vegetables, whether you want to make a vegetable soup or an infusion. The freeze-drying process reduces the sugar content in fruits, eliminating excess sugar upon rehydration, without affecting the taste. Products include: organic coconut, strawberry, organic beetroot, banana, apple... We also carry diced freeze-dried strawberries, whole freeze-dried raspberries in pouches and tins. For vegetables, we offer both powdered and whole options to diversify your choices. Powdered vegetables include: organic spinach, kale, various vegetable blends, and more. We also stock carrot granules, roasted pepper mixes, peas, jalapeño chilli, and much more.

Benefits for athletes (hikers, skippers, ...)

Activities like hiking or any similar outdoor pursuit require preparation and energy. The longer the activity, the more food you need to plan for. Freeze-dried food is an option that saves space in your pack. This type of food is virtually weightless, easy to carry, and can be stored for long periods as long as the packaging remains sealed. The nutritional values of the products are preserved and even enhanced. For sport, you need foods that provide protein to combat muscle fatigue. Freeze-drying causes minimal damage to food and preserves nutritional values — especially those of essential nutrients. Harmful fats are effectively removed in the process.

An everyday advantage

Reduced fat consumption

In everyday life, freeze-drying can help reduce our consumption of high-fat foods. At breakfast, for example, you can have freeze-dried coffee. It provides a considerable energy boost to power your day. Instead of pastries loaded with excess sugar, you can opt for Beef Jerky (dried meat).

Time saving

Cooking takes time. Even putting together a quick snack can easily take more than 5 minutes. Freeze-dried snacks, on the other hand, are extremely quick and easy to prepare. You also have access to preparation instructions and ingredient lists, so you know exactly how to make them and what you're consuming.

Shelf life

Even when refrigerated, many foods gradually lose their nutritional value over time. Others lose their flavour and slowly become inedible. The heartiest meals barely last a week. Since preservation is the primary goal of freeze-drying, freeze dried food holds up far better by comparison. When stored correctly, it can last up to 15 or even 25 years. By contrast, frozen products keep for only 2 years — and after that period, their nutritional value is largely lost and can even become harmful to the body.

Ease of transport

A freeze-dried food product can lose up to 80% of its weight, or even more. As packaged products, they become easy to carry and far less bulky. In a standard backpack, you can fit enough freeze-dried food for at least 4 days of hiking.

Conclusion

All in all, freeze-dried foods are not necessarily complete meals. However, they are a quick source of essential nutrients and a convenient way to grab a snack while waiting for a proper meal.