Freeze-Dried Foods: What They Are & How They're Made
This month we’re all about Mountain House® freeze-dried foods. But why? What exactly are freeze-dried foods? How are they made? And what makes freeze-dried food so great, anyway?
During the freeze-drying process, fresh or cooked foods are first flash-frozen when the food tastes its best. Moisture is then removed in a vacuum chamber, where a low-level heat is applied to evaporate the ice without returning it to a liquid form. Since the food remains frozen during the process, the cell structures do not change. This helps retain the freshness, vitamins, nutrients, colors, and aromas of the fresh foods while offering you the shelf-stable convenience of long-term storage. (Click here and look for Tip #12 for additional information on the freeze-drying process and the differences between freeze-dried and dehydrated foods.)
The freeze-drying process allows for quick re-hydration of the product, making freeze-dried foods easy and fast to make—which is ideal for your food storage. Just add water and they are ready to use! Freeze-dried products are also light—they typically weigh up to 90% less than the product’s original weight, making them easy to transport and include in hiking, backpacking, and emergency supplies.
Mountain House® entrees are completely cooked, then immediately freeze-dried and canned in a form that’s easy to re-hydrate in small or large portions. No food storage process locks in the flavor and texture better while preserving the nutritional value of foods. Mountain House® products are made from quality ingredients from the get-go.
With easy-to-use freeze-dried foods, it’s effortless to add variety to your food storage—you can include everything from Scrambled Eggs with Bacon to Beef Stew to Chicken à la King! Freeze-dried foods, added to a foundation of basics such as grains, legumes, milk, honey, salt, oil, and garden seeds, will be an excellent addition to your food storage plan.
What do you think, readers? Have you tried Mountain House® freeze-dried foods? What are your favorite Mountain House® entrees?
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11 comments
john rice
Thanks for all the info
Brendan Newman
Interesting… I used to think that storing up emergency food was only for tinfoil hat wearing lunatics, but these days it looks like the only sensible thing to do! The government should work to constantly improve emergency food programs, but American citizens should take it upon themselves to store food and water for their families during an emergency. There's a good article about how to start your own food storage program very easily here:
http://www.martiallawusa.com/wp/?p=37
Definitely something to take a look at if you are worried about a natural disaster or social upheaval interrupting the food supply.
Anonymous
Hope i win
Joann
Is there such a thing as freeze dried milk, instead of the stuff that tastes like cardboard?
FatMo Trading
Thanks for the video.These foods are really good but its quantity is too large in packets.may be you should packed it in cans.
Anonymous
You can buy the cans then divide up the food into smaller zip lock bags and put them in your fridge or freezer. They'll last a long time.
Emergency Essentials
kenlowder, you make great points. The single serving packs so cost more than the bulk cans, and in a family setting, the bulk makes more sense (or if a smaller group of people are okay with eating the same meal a few times). Having a mix of freeze-dried, dehydrated, and MRE's is a great plan!
Emergency Essentials
Vicky B, we also offer Mountain House products in pouches with between just 1-4 servings depending on the size of pouch you order. They're a great way to sample new flavors, or—like you said—have them on hand without needing to use the same flavor over and over if you've got a smaller family.
kenlowder
I used mountain house Waaaaaay back when I was young and hiking the grand canyon and such. They were always good, just add hot water, wait 10 min and eat. They do come in single serving sizes, but that cost more over bulk. I have some for my get out of dodge bags as well as mre's, which weigh more but I can eat as is. As always it's a trade off.
lfhpueblo
The video was nice. It's nice that Mountain House makes the foods right before freeze drying them.
Vicky B
Most of these foods are good but they are packed in too large a quantity for just the 2 of us. They reco9mmend using within a week of opening. I don't want to eat scrambled eggs and bacon everyday till I have used them all.