The

Freeze-Drying

Process

freeze-dried peach rings

DID YOU KNOW: The reason astronauts eat freeze-dried foods is that they’re extremely light and compact and require no refrigeration. It costs a lot of money to launch a single pound into space (more weight requires more expensive fuel), so removing the water means that they can put more food on the rocket. Plus, they can last up to 25 years (depending on the packaging) - perfect for space travel!

freeze-dried peach rings
freeze-dried peach rings

How to Make Freeze-Dried Candy

  1. In freeze-drying, food is frozen and placed in a strong vacuum.

  2. The water in the food then sublimates — that is, it turns straight from ice into vapor, just like what would happen in space

  3. Whether the candy is sour or sweet, freeze-dried candy will have its flavor, color compounds, and aromas preserved, while its texture is completely transformed.

  4. The freeze-drying process results in an enhanced and concentrated taste profile and a new and improved crunch of the candy. Some products will become light and airy and others will morph from chewy to brittle. Plus, the freeze-dried preservation method gives candies a faster rehydration time, which makes many of them melt in your mouth.

  5. Delicious candy is ready to eat!

Space Candy, freeze-dried rainbow orbits

  • Freeze-dried candy is candy that has been through a freeze-drying process which removes the moisture by first freezing it then placing the candy into a strong vacuum which sublimates the ice into vapor. Just like what would happen in space!

  • Whether the candy is sour or sweet, freeze-dried candy will have its flavor, color compounds, and aromas preserved, while its texture is completely transformed. Most freeze-dried candy is left with a unique out-of-this-world crunch due to the absence of moisture.

  • In general, freeze-dried candy contains the same amount of nutrients as regular candy, with less moisture. Freeze-dried candy is better for your teeth, especially for people who have braces, and can last up to 25 years in the right conditions! It also doesn’t go hard like regular candy, so if you find it 6 months after Halloween, you can eat it all and not worry about cracking a tooth.

  • Freeze-dried candy does not have more calories than regular candy. While freeze-drying creates incredible textures, it doesn’t add any new ingredients, just removes the moisture, meaning the calorie count stays the same as regular candy.

  • It depends on the machine you use and how much moisture is in the candy. Some can take up to 24 hours and others can be ready in as little as 3-4!