Informative — Freeze Dried Vegetables

Will Organic Freeze Dried Vegetables Be on Everyone's Menu in the Future? 0

Be it your view on mental health or how you wash your hands, we all had to re-evaluate some of our preCOVID-19 habits following the onset of the pandemic. However, the one thing that required the most effort (but we all had to come to terms with) was the new status quo in grocery shopping.

Between empty supermarket shelves and food supply chains being pushed to their limits, we had to readjust the way we shopped to accommodate our new quarantined lifestyles. So, we stockpiled like crazy!

But with this new shopping philosophy came a new set of rules: from shopping in bulk to opting for foods that last longer. And this is how freeze dried vegetables came out of the astronaut shadows' and became a niche on their own.

But if you think that freeze dried food was just a pandemic trend, we're here to tell you that they're here to stay. In fact, here are five reasons why organic freeze dried vegetables (OFDVs) are a treat that future generations will swear by.

Organic Freeze Dried Vegetables: The Food of the Future?

If Covid-19 has taught us anything since it first came out, it's that our food supply chain - from farm to fork - is hanging on by a thread⁽¹⁾. We could blame it all on the increase in global demand for food⁽²⁾ or the ever-decreasing numbers in the human workforce⁽³⁾. But no matter the reasons, there's no denying that the production and distribution of fresh food are becoming an increasingly uphill task for both farmers and suppliers.

And that's why we're seeing a big surge in freeze dried vegetables. The once "bland space food" is turning into the next big thing in the food industry as its long shelf life has become a hot commodity for consumers, who now value shelf stability more than freshness.

After all, it's not uncommon for shoppers to run into empty supermarket shelves - which instantly makes organic crunchy peas a much wiser choice than, say, a pound of fresh peas that'll go bad in a week.

Besides, this never-go-bad nature isn't the only thing that makes organic freeze dried vegetables a future-proof pantry option, as today's crop of OFDVs is a far cry from MREs of the past. In fact, they're engineered to keep the food's nutritional profile intact and preserve its original flavor. So, it's basically like eating fresh produce (with the only exception that you must rehydrate it first).

But What is Freeze Drying, Anyway?

Also known as lyophilization, freeze drying⁽⁴⁾ is a dehydration method during which certain foods are frozen so that their content in water turns into ice. Then, this ice is meticulously removed by sublimation. This method operates at low temperatures and eliminates the need for heat to remove the water (evaporation). As a result, the food's taste, nutritional value, and appearance remain intact. Freezing the food also inhibits the microbes from growing and spreading, which prevents the food from going bad quickly (hence OFDVs' long shelf life).

5 Reasons Why Freeze Dried Vegetables Are the Ultimate Future Food

• They're Healthy

We've all heard (or read) the rumors that freeze drying strips the food of its nutrients and leaves it an empty shell of a nosh. But the truth is quite different. The vegetables that go through freeze drying are actually harvested and preserved at the peak of their ripeness and nutrient content. As a result, they're just as nutritious and healthy as their fresh counterparts. And we should also mention that our variety is organic⁽⁵⁾, meaning our products are grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and bioengineered genes (GMOs).

• They Have a Long Shelf Life

No matter what the future holds for the food industry, one thing is for sure: Organic freeze dried vegetables are an excellent way to ensure your eating habits from possible fluctuations in the market. Thanks to their long shelf life, OFDVs give you the chance to store your favorite produce for months (even decades at times) and enjoy them whenever the mood strikes - even if their prices skyrocket due to global shortage or when they're out of season.

• They Require Minimal Prepping

With the "epidemic of busyness"⁽⁶⁾ being an everyday occurrence for most millennials (and probably Gen-Zers), skipping cooking seems like a legit way to save some minutes during the day. But OFDVs offer an alternative. Since these ingredients are cut and cooked before freeze drying, they require minimal prepping and could spare you from losing time in the kitchen. The only thing you have to do is soak them in water and get on with your recipe.

• They Are Versatile

Another advantage of organic freeze dried vegetables for future menus is their ability to fit almost any need and taste. Whether you want them cut into smaller pieces or preserved whole, these veggies can be part of every meal, from energizing breakfasts to hearty dinners. In some cases, you can even grind them into a fine powder and add them to smoothies or sauces. Such versatility will allow you to use OFDVs as a blank canvas for infinite recipes and make them work no matter what you make with them.

• They're Easy to Transport

Water makes up a large part of the food we eat. Vegetables⁽⁷⁾, in particular, consist of more than 70% of water. Since most of the water is removed during freeze drying, organic freeze dried vegetables' overall mass decreases, making them lighter and easier to carry around. That could prove helpful in cases where people need to cross long distances to reach a destination and need to feed themselves along the way. Let's not forget that environmental migration is an imminent threat for most tropical and some continental populations.

Have you tried our organic freeze dried vegetables? If so, which are your favorites? Let us know in the comment section down below!

References:

1. Impact of COVID-19 on the food supply chain | Food Quality and Safety | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
2. Global Demand for Food Is Rising. Can We Meet It? (hbr.org)
3. What’s Causing Supply Chain Issues? - Eater
4. The Freeze-Drying of Foods—The Characteristic of the Process Course and the Effect of Its Parameters on the Physical Properties of Food Materials - PMC (nih.gov)
5. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm
6. The epidemic of busyness - Alastair Humphreys
7. Table - PMC (nih.gov)

How to Make Freeze Dried Food Even More Appetizing 0

There are so many reasons to fall in love with freeze dried and dehydrated food. For one, you don't ever have to worry about produce going bad. Just think of all the food (and money) you've tossed in the trash over the years, and you'll get our point. But, wait, there's more.
Freeze dried food (FDF) also allows you to enjoy the flavors of your favorite fruits and vegetables as if they are fresh out of the farmer's market. Plus, most of the nutrients remain intact, delivering the same health benefits as their fresh counterparts.
However, longtime freeze dried food fans know there's nothing wrong with adding some flavor to the mix. A little more seasoning and out-of-the-box cooking never hurt anyone, right? So, here are five game-changing ways to make freeze dried food even more appetizing.

1. Blaze Your Own Trail... Mix

Despite containing just a small percentage of water, freeze dried foods can still rock your palate in the easiest way possible. And, in this case, adding water is so last season. If you don't know it by now, freeze dried food can be consumed as is, requiring zero cooking skills and barely a second of your time.
In fact, the texture of freeze dried foods is easy-to-chew and crunchy, reminding you of crunchy candies rather than dehydrated food. Plus, the flavors are the same as if you were nibbling on fresh fruit and vegetables. However, we've got a way to up the stakes flavor-wise, and it involves you, a handful of nuts and your favorite freeze dried bites.
You've probably heard the news: Trail mix is going through a healthy renaissance of sorts. This once-fattening snack can now contain all the right ingredients, from energy-boosting fruit to fiber-rich nuts. Want to keep up with the trend? Then, start mixing and matching your favorite nuts, seeds, and freeze dried fruit by Mother Earth Products and (why not?) some treat-like goodies, such as dark chocolate chips or mini marshmallows. And as always, moderation is key.

2. Sauté Spices for An Instant Flavor Boost

If you want to take your dishes to the next level, then spices are the way to go and freeze dried vegetables are no exception. With that in mind, we're about to let you in on a little secret: Did you know that you can infuse your food with the pungent flavor of spices while sautéing?
Contrary to popular belief, you can actually sauté freeze dried food. Just heat some oil and cook the product as-is (no water needed) along with the spices for about 30 seconds. This way: not only do you save time, but you also enhance the flavor of the food from the get-go. Just make sure you add water as soon as you are done sautéing to avoid burning. It's high time you dusted off that spice rack, don't you think?

3. Hydration is Key

Add water first; ask questions later. Unfortunately, this is the way a lot of people approach freeze dried food hydration, only to end up with a soggy pile of products. Luckily, it doesn't have to be that way.
To keep the flavors intact, simply add the food you are about to eat in a clear bowl and add water. How much water is enough? There are two ways to determine that. Either the food will start floating, or the water will start pooling at the bottom of the bowl. So, don't get surprised if hydrating freeze dried food may require less water than you initially thought.

4. Dip Them in Chocolate

Eating healthy is on top of most people's bucket list. But, what's a chocoholic to do when the hunger for this delicious treat strikes? An ingenious way to mitigate the not-so-healthy effects of chocolate on your health and waist is to add freeze dried fruit to the mix. In fact, use this tasty treat to coat a variety of freeze dried superfoods by Mother Earth Products, from the potassium-rich bananas to the fiber-packed apples. Isn't that sweet?

5. Sneak Them Into Baked Goods

What's not to like about freeze dried foods? They are affordable, contain lots of nutrients, and they taste just like the real deal (and sometimes even better if you have an issue with the texture of fresh fruit and vegetables). But, here's an excellent way to enjoy their rich flavor to the fullest while making your meals taste even better: sneak them into your baked goods.
Whether you're in the mood for a fruity biscuit or want to sweeten your homemade cakes in the healthiest way possible, FDF makes for an excellent and nutrient-dense ingredient. In fact, due to their low concentration in water, freeze dried fruits and vegetables by Mother Earth Products don't interfere with the consistency of your baked goods, but instead, add to their delicious flavor.

The Takeaway

Eating tasty meals when there's enough time to cook is amazing. But, eating super healthy and delicious meals/snacks day in day out is even better. Now, there is a way. All it takes is these five suggestions and a handful of freeze dried foods from Mother Earth Products. Are you ready to give your everyday meals/snacks a makeover?