Best Freeze Dryers (2021 Update) Buyer's Guide – Best Survival

Freeze-dried food products are products and dishes made by using a process called lyophilization or freeze-drying, in which the temperature of the product is lowered to below freezing, and then a high-pressure vacuum is applied to extract the water in the form of vapor. In other words, lyophilization helps to remove solid ice in form of vapor from perishable products to extend their shelf life or make the product more convenient for transport. The freeze-drying process retains the physical structure of the food product and preserves it for rehydration at a later date. Because the cell structure of the food product remains intact, freeze-dried food maintains its original raw color, shape, flavor, and nutrients. Also, lyophilized food can be stored at room temperature for a long time and easily reconstituted with water in a short period. How to select the best quality lyophilized product? Firstly, consider whether freeze-dried food holds the nutrients that your body needs to not only survive but keep you healthy. As lyophilized foods and meals maintain almost all their original nutritional value, you only need to determine the original nutrient value of the food to find out what the freeze-dried counterparts’ nutritional value will be.  Secondly, if you can, test different freeze-dried foods and cook with them to determine what you like the taste of best. Thirdly, check out ingredients to make sure there are not any undesired additives or fillers. Finally, determine if the lyophilized product is suitable for the purpose you need to use it. For hiking, food should fit well in a backpack, and for emergencies, it should be enough to feed your whole family for a specific period.