When most people start shopping for long term food supply, inevitably the decisions about which type to purchase quickly becomes very confusing. There are several options available including freeze dried, dehydrated, mre's and canned. This article compares freeze dried to dehydrated because these two categories make up a majority of purchases.

Freeze-dried, if properly sealed, prevents absorption of moisture, and allows it to be stored at room temperature without refrigeration, and still be protected against spoilage for many years. By greatly reducing the water content, which inhibits the growth of microorganisms and enzymes that typically promote spoilage or degrading of the substance, preservation via freeze drying allows a long shelf life of ten years or more.

Freeze drying results in less damage to the original product than other methods of dehydration which is typically done by using higher temperatures. Dehydration is prepared by using much high temperatures, which typically causes shrinkage and toughening of the product that is being preserved. In addition, freeze dried does a much better job of preserving the flavor and smell, as they generally remain unchanged. Thus many people prefer freeze dried as a more popular choice for long term food supply.

Many people believe that freeze dried has significant advantages over other long term preservation methods. While dehydrated and canned both provide a long and stable shelf-life, the high-temperatures that are required for processing can degrade the flavor, texture and nutritional content. Freeze-drying actually combines the best of both worlds by preserving freshness, color and aroma while providing stable convenience and a long shelf life.

In summary, freeze drying removes the water content of the product, but does not affect the flavor or texture while maintaining their original shape and texture, unlike dehydrated, which shrinks and shrivels due to high-temperature processing. Freeze dried is also easy to use, all you need to do is add water, and within minutes the product returns close to the original source. Since 98% of their water is removed, freeze dried products weigh much less than the original weight, typically reducing the overall weight by close to 90%. This greatly enhances the opportunity to store large volume of product in relatively small storage space.

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