Simple Farmhouse Life Podcast Summary

Episode: 261. Freeze Drying: The Food Preservation Method Every Homestead Kitchen Needs
Host: Lisa Bass
Guest: Carolyn Thomas of Homesteading Family
Release Date: October 29, 2024

Introduction to Freeze Drying

In Episode 261 of the Simple Farmhouse Life podcast, host Lisa Bass welcomes Carolyn Thomas from Homesteading Family to discuss the intricacies of freeze drying—a modern preservation method gaining traction in the homesteading community. Carolyn, who has recently authored a comprehensive book on freeze drying, shares her journey from skepticism to advocacy of this preservation technique.

Carolyn’s Journey with Freeze Drying

Carolyn opens up about her initial doubts regarding freeze drying. Residing in the far north of Idaho with a short growing season, she has always prioritized traditional food preservation methods to ensure a year-round supply of homegrown produce.

Carolyn Thomas [00:58]: "I really thought freeze drying was a gimmick. It’s just another thing that they want you to buy. It’s a fad."

Her perspective began to shift when Harvest approached her to review a freeze dryer. Although she was initially hesitant and critical, real-world application led her to discover the benefits firsthand.

Carolyn Thomas [05:17]: "I thought this was my moment to tell everybody they didn't need a freeze dryer."

However, her experience with processing a surge of eggs revealed the practicality and superiority of freeze drying over her traditional methods.

Freeze Drying vs. Traditional Dehydrating

A significant portion of the discussion centers on distinguishing freeze drying from dehydrating—two seemingly similar but fundamentally different preservation methods.

Carolyn Thomas [10:39]: "With a dehydrator, you're adding heat and blowing air to evaporate moisture over time. In contrast, freeze drying involves freezing the food to extremely low temperatures and then reducing the pressure to allow moisture to sublimate directly from ice to vapor."

Key Differences:

• Nutrition Retention: Freeze drying retains up to 98% of a food’s nutritional value by preserving cellular structure.
• Flavor and Texture: Freeze-dried foods retain flavors and textures closer to their fresh counterparts.
• Storage Efficiency: Unlike dehydrated foods, freeze-dried items don’t shrink and are lighter, offering more storage flexibility.

Benefits of Freeze Drying

Carolyn emphasizes the advantages of freeze drying, particularly in a homestead setting where maximizing storage space and maintaining food quality are paramount.

Carolyn Thomas [14:10]: "It locks in the flavor and nutrition, resulting in a product that looks nearly identical to the fresh version."

Advantages Highlighted:

• Space Efficiency: Freeze-dried eggs, for example, can be stored compactly, fitting dozens into a single jar compared to traditional water-glassing methods.
• Reduced Weight: Without moisture, freeze-dried foods are lightweight, making storage and transportation easier.
• Versatility in Rehydration: Foods can be rehydrated using various liquids, enhancing flavors and providing culinary flexibility.

Challenges and Learning Curve

Despite its benefits, Carolyn acknowledges that freeze drying isn't without challenges. Her initial attempts resulted in product loss due to insufficient drying and improper packaging.

Carolyn Thomas [17:07]: "I lost about 50% of the eggs that I freeze dried that first run because I wasn’t ensuring they were completely dry and packaged correctly."

Common Issues:

• Moisture Control: Ensuring complete dryness is crucial to prevent bacterial growth.
• Packaging: Proper sealing with oxygen absorbers or vacuum sealing is essential, especially in high-humidity areas.
• Skill Development: Mastery involves understanding pre-treatment of foods, testing for dryness, and effective storage practices.

Packaging Methods for Freeze-Dried Foods

Carolyn details three primary packaging strategies tailored to different storage durations:

1. Ultra Long-Term Storage:

   • Method: Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers.
   • Use Case: Preppers preparing for extreme scenarios.
   • Considerations: Blocks light and preserves food for up to 20 years but lacks visibility and organization.

2. Medium-Term Storage:

   • Method: Mason jars with oxygen absorbers and vacuum sealing.
   • Use Case: Garden produce preservation lasting 1-5 years.
   • Advantages: Visibility, ease of organization, and practicality for regular use.

3. Short-Term Storage:

   • Method: Reusable jars like Phyto or Ball with silica desiccants.
   • Use Case: Foods consumed within two weeks.
   • Benefits: Quick access and minimal space usage for items like snacks.

Carolyn Thomas [30:06]: "For medium-term storage, mason jars with an oxygen absorber and vacuum sealed down are so practical because you can see into them and they fit on your shelf."

Rehydrating Freeze-Dried Foods

Rehydration is straightforward yet requires attention to detail to maintain quality.

Carolyn Thomas [39:15]: "Rehydrating is as simple as pouring some water over it. If it’s raw, use cold water; if it’s cooked or blanched, use hot water."

Reconstitution Tips:

• Water Temperature: Depends on the food's preparation state.
• Flavor Enhancement: Utilize flavorful liquids like bone broth or teas instead of plain water for added taste.
• Practical Applications: Create complete meals such as chicken pot pie by freeze-drying components separately and rehydrating them together.

Setting Up a Freeze Dryer

Carolyn shares practical advice on integrating freeze dryers into a homestead kitchen, emphasizing the importance of a well-thought-out setup to ensure efficiency.

Carolyn Thomas [46:28]: "Freeze dryers are heavy and vibrate, so they need to be placed on a heavy-duty surface like a commercial kitchen stainless steel rack."

Setup Recommendations:

• Location: Basement or a designated kitchen area to minimize household disruption.
• Accessibility: Place near freezers for pre-freezing and ensure proximity to storage areas.
• Equipment Needs: Reliable vacuum sealers, heat sealers for Mylar bags, and efficient drainage systems.

Carolyn’s Freeze Drying Book

The episode concludes with Carolyn promoting her newly released book, which serves as a comprehensive guide on freeze drying. The book includes an encyclopedia of foods, precise measurements, rehydration ratios, and step-by-step processes to master freeze drying effectively.

Carolyn Thomas [51:32]: "If you're dreaming about freeze drying, it is definitely the book you're going to want to get on your shelf."

Listeners are encouraged to purchase the book from homesteadliving.com, Amazon, and other major booksellers to enhance their freeze drying practices.

Closing Remarks

Lisa expresses her newfound appreciation for freeze drying and acknowledges the depth of knowledge Carolyn brings to the table. She emphasizes the importance of proper setup and technique to make freeze drying a valuable tool in the homesteading kitchen.

Lisa Bass [45:10]: "I think that's where all the pieces come together. It makes a lot of sense."

The episode wraps up with mutual gratitude and a look forward to future collaborations, highlighting the value of shared knowledge in the homesteading community.

Notable Quotes:

• Carolyn Thomas [10:39]: "Freeze drying retains up to 98% of a food’s nutritional value."
• Carolyn Thomas [14:10]: "It locks in the flavor and nutrition, resulting in a product that looks nearly identical to the fresh version."
• Carolyn Thomas [17:07]: "I lost about 50% of the eggs that I freeze dried that first run because I wasn’t ensuring they were completely dry and packaged correctly."
• Carolyn Thomas [30:06]: "For medium-term storage, mason jars with an oxygen absorber and vacuum sealed down are so practical because you can see into them and they fit on your shelf."
• Carolyn Thomas [39:15]: "Rehydrating is as simple as pouring some water over it. If it’s raw, use cold water; if it’s cooked or blanched, use hot water."
• Carolyn Thomas [51:32]: "If you're dreaming about freeze drying, it is definitely the book you're going to want to get on your shelf."

This episode serves as an invaluable resource for homesteaders and home preservation enthusiasts looking to incorporate freeze drying into their food preservation repertoire. Carolyn Thomas provides a blend of practical experience, technical knowledge, and motivational insights to empower listeners to master freeze drying effectively.