Freeze-Drying Food
The process of freeze-drying food maintains the smell, taste, and texture and permits long-term preservation of food items. The process is very simple. Simply a process of putting the food in a freezer and then let it cool. The process speeds up the cooling process, which in turn slows down spoilage. Rather than having the food spoil in a matter of hours, it is freeze-dried food that remains in excellent shape for many years. The main benefit of the food is that it tastes much better. It also doesn’t have to be prepared with higher amounts of oil and salt. The process only requires that the food be defrosted and heated.
The main deterrent for freeze-drying food is the clean up required. You cannot put these food away once you have loaded it; they require refrigeration. There are specialised companies that offer freeze-dried food in appropriate packaging, where you can take it with you and enjoy a healthy nutritious snack. The most common freeze-dried food is potato chips, but the market is large with many types of snacks to choose from including breakfast cereals, energy bars, snack mixes, granola bars, and more. You can even find a variety of organic brands to ensure you and your family always go high quality.
The main issue with the food is that they are not very easy to transport as they need to be contained and protected from high temperatures. This results in a limited amount of freeze-dried food getting to the shops. The method of freeze-drying allows the food to retain all texture, smells, as well as nutrients. The question is, how do you ensure you are eating a high quality freeze-dried food? According to a company researching the topic, consumers should look for not only a product that is authentic but also carefully processed. The company also recommends visiting a website that presents test results from independent lab tests made to establish if the product is indeed natural or not.
Theascorb process involves heating food to a temperature of 145 degrees c for 30 min in an oxygen free atmosphere. This high temperature effectively destroys any contaminating microorganisms that could be possible health concern. According to test results, it eliminates any disease-causing bacteria and chemicals. This doesn’t happen in a lab. Direct heat is the only way to destroy food-borne pathogens.
Another lab tested method is liquid extraction using a humidity technique. This method is used to capture and retain the moisture inside fruit, vegetable and Meat products. This system involves applying a very thin layer of pure moisture to whole or chopped pieces of foodstuffs like chicken, turkey, red meat, eggs, and soft shell fish. These are then left standing at room temperature for 2-4 days.
The holding period is critical. These foods need to be protected from the high temperatures during the tropical summer months in particular. In addition, there should be no moisture on the food itself. If you can’t afford the luxury of a tropical location, you can store your food in an airtight container, or wrap it with foil or plastic wrap.
For maximum safety, measures should be taken to prevent cross-contamination. Food should be prepared as quickly as possible in a sealed airtight container. It should be stored a minimum of two to four times per year. This will prevent stale food from spoiling. It is important to noting that after proper storage, temperatures of 140 degrees c may result in an accurate food thermometer reading of 140 degrees c, giving an accurate range for the temperature danger zone.
This food is most certainly NOT a danger, however, as you probably won’t encounter it in your local grocery store. In addition, you need to understand that it is unfair in most cases. In the event that you are unable to locate the manufacturer who may have sourced the product, it is best to assume that it is safe, until proven otherwise.
In the event that you are trying to decide on a gift for a friend, relative, or colleague, and you are considering a present like a gourmet food purchase, you will certainly want to do your research on which gourmet food items are safe to eat. This is important because some foods are only produced in certain countries due to food safety concerns. This is why you will likely see gourmet food items being offered in markets and stores that cater to those who are in the know, those who demand quality and fair dealing.
Food safety is a vital part of maintaining a safe and healthy lifestyle. Remember, to enjoy life, you must be willing to experiment and try new things. And, for the most part, we are provided with great safety in a world that we can’t be held accountable for our own actions when it comes to the health and well being of others around us.