How freeze dried foods are made? Part 2 More Interesting

Now comes the next part and that is manufacturing and I think It’s better to provide you information right from the source.  I have read this informative article on freeze dried food  at madehow website and immediately decided to share the knowledge with you.

This Is How The Process Of Freeze Drying Of Fruits And Vegetables Starts 

“A freeze-drying processing facility is usually a large plant with modern equipment. Its

food-handling areas must be approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, and the company and its employees must adhere to government regulatory procedures. The plant may include a receiving and storage area for raw foods that arrive at the plant in bulk; a food cooking area for those foods that must be cooked before processing; a large area with several large freezing and drying chambers; and a packaging area. The facility may also include a research area where improved methods of freeze-drying foods are developed, and a test kitchen where new preparation techniques to improve the final taste, quality, and texture of the food are tried. Some plants are dedicated to freeze-drying only one product like freeze-dried coffee. Others process a wide range of meats, vegetables, and fruits. Nonfood products such as chemicals and pharmaceuticals are usually processed in separate plants from food products.

The freeze-drying process varies in the details of temperatures, times, pressures, and intermediate steps from one food to another. The following is a generalized description of the process with several specific exceptions noted.”

Then the next stage is  the testing & preparation stage. Let me share the image directly from the source to enhance your knowledge and to spark your interest.

Food is then ready for freezing this is how freezing process is done.

“The food pieces are spread out on flat, metal trays which are stacked 20 to 30 high in slots in a wheeled cart. With food that has been pre-cooked and frozen, the trays are pre-chilled to prevent partial thawing during handling. With liquids like coffee, the pre-brewed coffee is poured into shallow pans. The carts are wheeled into a large, walk-in coldroom where the temperature can be as low as -40°F (-40°C). In this extremely cold temperature, the food is quickly frozen. There are usually a dozen or more coldrooms in operation, and the carts are kept there until it is time to move them into the drying chamber.”

Sizing and Blending is what makes the difference

Pieces are then sorted and  checked for sizes.  Same sized pieces are seperated and  smaller pieces are also sorted out. Some pieces may be ground to  powder. Moreover to meet the customers demand  smaller and big pieces are also put together  in packets.

Packaging of freeze dried items 

According to website

“Freeze-dried foods must be sealed in airtight containers to prevent them from absorbing moisture from the air. Several types of containers may be used: plastic laminated foil pouches, metal and plastic cans, or metal and fiber drums for bulk packaging. Some freeze-dried food is vacuum packed, in which the air is evacuated from the container before sealing. Other food has an inert gas like nitrogen injected into the container before sealing to displace the oxygen in the air and prevent oxidation or spoiling of the food. The packaging is done in the freeze-dry plant almost as soon as the foods come out of the drying chamber. The plant can form, fill, and seal the packages to the desired weight for the end user. Packages that are to be sold directly to the consumer are packed in cartons, stacked on pallets, and transported to the grocery warehouse. Other freeze-dried food is packaged in bulk and sold to a secondary processor for incorporation into other food products. Freeze-dried blueberries, for example, may be sent to a company that makes pancake and muffin mixes.”

 

I hope you  have liked the article. In the part three I will cover the most intersting part.

If you missed the part one , here it is . Freeze Drying