Freeze-dried foods are delicious, nutritious, and lightweight, but are also fragile and sensitive to light, heat, and moisture, which is why proper storage is critical. How should we store freeze-dried food for the longest possible shelf life? After hours of research and experimenting with a variety of different packaging and storage conditions, we’ve found several effective ways to store freeze-dried foods that will help extend their shelf life for years.
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The Best Storage Conditions for Freeze Dried Food
Oxygen-Free Environment – Place an oxygen aspirator in a container with freeze-dried food.
Cool Place – Store freeze-dried foods at or below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dark location – Store freeze-dried foods in direct sunlight, especially if you use clear packagings such as glass jars or clear plastic bags.
Off the ground – Store food off the ground to avoid moisture, animals, and rodents.
Because oxygen and moisture are the biggest culprits of freeze-dried food spoilage, you need to make sure you’re using the right type of container to store freeze-dried food.
What is the Shelf Life of Freeze Dried Food
Freeze-dried foods have a shelf life of 15 to 30 years, and some freeze-dried foods can stay in good condition for over 30 years when properly stored. Shelf life is significantly extended as the freeze-drying process removes up to 97% of the moisture.
Untreated dry food should be used within 6 months to 1 year of opening. Once you open freeze-dried food, you should still store it in an airtight container to prevent oxygen and moisture from entering the air, which can cause the food to soften and spoil.
How Long Does Freeze Dried Food Last After Opening?
Freeze-dried foods can be kept for up to a year after opening. Once opened, freeze-dried foods begin to absorb moisture from the air. Therefore, freeze-dried foods should be used within 6-12 months.
Once opened, freeze-dried food should still be stored in an airtight container to avoid moisture softening or starting to spoil. This will also help maximize the shelf life of open freeze-dried foods.
If you plan to use these foods quickly and regularly, it’s best to store open freeze-dried foods in glass jars, plastic bags, or airtight containers. If you’re not going to use the food quickly or regularly (within a few days), it’s best to reseal the food, and if it’s in a Mylar bag or glass jar, it’s best to store it again. You can re-seal food in Mylar bags as long as there is no contamination or moisture in the food.
How to Store Freeze Dried Food
1. Make sure the food is completely dry.
A common mistake is to store freeze-dried foods before they are completely dry. Any residual moisture can cause food to spoil. The name of the game is to remove all moisture from food to prolong life.
The process of freeze-drying fresh or cooked food is fairly simple. The freeze-drying chamber freezes food and then dries it immediately, removing all moisture from the food. Food retains its color, shape, and flavor. Also, it has a great crunch.
To make sure the food is completely dry, cut a large piece of food in half and check for water or ice particles. You’ll also want to check to see if it’s still cold inside. If the food has any ice particles inside or feels cold to the touch, put the food back in the freeze dryer for one more cycle.
2. Select the appropriate storage.
You have several options for storing freeze-dried food.
Each option offers a higher level of protection. It will depend on how long you want to store the food. Your best bet is vacuum-sealed packaging in a Mylar bag.
Storage Option 1 – Plastic Bags
A simple plastic bag provides minimal protection during long-term storage and can only be used for shorter periods of time. When trying to store freeze-dried foods for extended periods of time, even freezer bags are not acceptable.
Store-bought plastic bags are thin, transparent, impermeable, and break easily. They don’t create significant barriers to air, light, and extreme temperatures, all of which can further spoil freeze-dried food.
Storage Option 2 – Closable Glass Containers
Simple, airtight containers, such as mason jars, are good for foods that need a shorter shelf life and will be eaten more often. This includes foods such as fruits, vegetables, and yogurt. These foods can easily be stored in the pantry for months without additional protection.
After opening the container, don’t forget to seal the jar tightly.
Storage Option 3 – Vacuum Storage Bags
The next step in storage strength is a vacuum storage bag with a packaging machine that removes all air. Vacuum storage bags are thicker, more durable, and last longer than standard plastic bags.
However, they’re sharp and well-lit, which is a downside. If you plan to store freeze-dried food for an intermediate period of time (1-10 years), then vacuum storage bags should work well. Just make sure to seal.
Some people have complained about the sealing strength and ability of some vacuum seals to keep out air, so this is something to monitor.
Storage Option 4 – Mylar Bag
Mylar bags are the best solution when freeze-dried food needs to be stored for long periods of time. Mylar is a transparent polyester resin attached to aluminum foil. It can be easily purchased online.
Think of it as a bouncy can. Mylar comes in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. Depending on your food sealant, you can remove all oxygen and seal the Mylar bag for maximum protection.
Mylar is the best choice because it is thin, light, and flexible. The packaging does not add any unnecessary weight and folds easily for easy storage and transport. Mylar is also strong and durable. It is hard to tear or break.
3. Remove all air and moisture
When it comes to freeze-drying preservation, air and moisture are the enemies of proper storage and longevity. During the sealing process, you need to remove as much oxygen as possible.
Oxygen aspirators are an excellent tool for removing residual oxygen from the bag – they remove the last little oxygen. Different sizes of products can be purchased in bulk depending on your application.
Once the package is properly sealed and all moisture and air are removed, the package is ready for storage.
For best results, store freeze-dried foods in a dark location with limited light. The best locations are in the pantry, kitchen cupboard, or emergency food storage box.
Storage temperature is important. Extreme or overheating should be avoided. Storing food at room temperature is ideal.
Can You Store Freeze Dried Food in the Freezer?
Freeze-dried foods can be stored in the refrigerator if stored correctly, however, it is not necessary to store freeze-dried foods in the refrigerator. Freeze-dried foods can last 15-30 years on pantry shelves if stored in an airtight container with an oxygen aspirator. There is no need to store food in the refrigerator to extend shelf life.
Storing freeze-dried food in the refrigerator can cause the seal on the Mylar bag to break, which can introduce moisture into the food and significantly shorten its shelf life of the food.
Because of the potential risks, and completely unnecessary, it’s best to save space in the refrigerator for other items.
Can You Repackage Freeze Dried Food?
You can and should repackage freeze-dried foods, especially if the original packaging doesn’t seal and doesn’t hold the freeze-dried food’s moisture.
10 cans of freeze-dried food seem like a lot. Things like onions don’t get used as quickly as mashed potatoes or eggs. Therefore, repackaging freeze-dried foods can keep you for a year or more without spoiling.
Bottom Line
Freeze drying has many uses, such as preserving fresh produce from the garden, making homemade emergency food, or rationing camp meals or hiking snacks. Unlike other popular preservation techniques, freeze-drying helps foods retain their flavor, color, and nutrients without shrinking or losing texture.
If you follow the freeze-drying storage tips above, you’ll get plenty of delicious, well-preserved food. Plus, you can keep the original flavor.
Read More: How to Store Rice and Beans Long Term?