How Do I Know If Freeze Dried Food Is Stored Properly?

“Hi, I’ve started freeze drying some of my veggies and fruits from my garden here in Halifax, and I want to make sure I’m doing it right – especially when it comes to storing them long-term. I’ve read you can pack them away incorrectly and then all your work goes down the drain! How can I be 100% sure my food is stored exactly how it should be after it’s freeze-dried? Thanks for your help!” Thanks again, Jessica, Halifax, Canada.

How Do I Know If Freeze Dried Food Is Stored Properly?

Hey Jessica! Great to hear you’ve been freeze drying your garden produce – it really is one of the best ways to preserve food long-term. But you’re absolutely right – if you don’t store them properly, all that effort can be wasted faster than you can say “moisture!” The good news is, you’ve caught the problem early and there are plenty of ways to ensure your hard-earned veggies and fruits stay safe, fresh, and ready whenever you want them. Let’s go over how you can tell if your freeze-dried food is being stored just the way it needs to be.

Why Proper Storage Is So Important For Freeze-Dried Food

When something’s freeze-dried, it removes around 98-99% of the moisture. This is what makes freeze-dried food shelf-stable and long-lasting. However, once you’ve freeze-dried the food, the key to keeping it in prime condition is ensuring no moisture, oxygen, or pests sneak back in. Even the tiniest bit of moisture can wreck your food over time, causing it to spoil, lose its flavor, or worse, become unsafe to eat.

Let’s talk about the tell-tale signs and strategies you can use to determine whether your food is being stored right after freeze-drying.

Signs Your Freeze-Dried Food is Properly Stored

Properly stored freeze-dried food will look, feel, and behave in very specific ways that let you know if you’ve done it right. Keep your eyes (and hands) out for the following:

• Texture: Freeze-dried food should be light, brittle, and crumbly. If it starts to feel soft or slightly spongy to the touch, that’s your sign moisture has likely snuck in.
• Color: The color should stay as bright or close to its original state when you freeze-dried it. Anything that looks dull, darkened, or “off” might mean it isn’t properly sealed or has started to break down.
• Smell: No musty or “off” smells should come from your sealed containers. When you open a package for use, it should smell like what you originally froze. If it doesn’t, that might be early warning signs of either mold or spoilage.
• No Condensation: Moisture is the enemy when storing freeze-dried food. If you see any condensation or frost inside your jars, bags, or containers, improper storage has let moisture in.

Best Containers To Store Freeze-Dried Food

Okay Jessica, now let’s talk packaging, because the container you choose is everything. The key to long-term storage without spoilage is keeping food airtight. Here are some tried-and-true options that’ll get the job done.

1. Mylar Bags

Mylar bags are **fantastic** for long-term storage. They’re durable, airtight, and block out light, which can degrade food over time. If you’re using these bags, make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing or, better yet, use a vacuum sealer. Some people slip an oxygen absorber into each one too, just for extra protection.

2. Mason Jars

If you’ve got a stash of Mason jars collecting dust (or let’s be honest, doing some Pinterest-worthy home décor), it’s time to put them to good use. Pair Mason jars with a vacuum sealing attachment, and you’re golden. Just be sure the jars are totally dry before using them.

3. Vacuum Sealed Bags

If you’re noticing a trend here, you’re right – vacuum sealing is one of the best ways to fend off bad air. Vac-seal bags are excellent for freeze-dried goods. Just don’t forget to double-check your seals. Any tiny gap might let oxygen sneak back in.

4. Plastic Buckets with Gamma Seals

Ohhh, I love Gamma seal lids! These buckets are ideal if you’re storing large quantities of freeze-dried food. The gamma seal lids screw on and form a tight seal. Just make sure to pair them with Mylar bags inside the bucket for full protection.

How To Know If There’s Air Coming Into the Storage

Ever opened a bag or jar expecting crunchy freeze-dried food, only to find it mushy and disappointing? That’s usually a result of air sneaking in. Here’s how to **check** your food’s seals periodically:

• If it’s a Mylar bag or vacuum-sealed pouch, squeeze gently from all sides – no air should escape.
• If using jars, double-check that the vacuum lid hasn’t “popped” up. It should be pulled tight against the jar.
• Listen for any hissing sounds when handling containers or moving them around. It’s often a clue that air is entering your storage unintentionally.

Watch Out for Temperature and Light!

Freeze-dried foods don’t like heat or sunlight. Personally, Jessica, I store mine in an old pantry down in the basement, where it stays nice and cool. Here’s the golden rule for temperature and light:

• Keep It Cool: 70°F (or around 21°C) is what you’re shooting for. Anything hotter than this and the food’s shelf life is going to reduce noticeably. If it’s cooler, even better. A basement, cellar, or somewhere that doesn’t get any sun should work perfectly.
• Avoid Direct Light: Shelf-stable doesn’t mean light-stable. Even a small bit of constant exposure to sunlight or artificial light can cause food to degrade over time. Use naturally dark spaces, or encase your storage containers in opaque boxes.

The Role of Oxygen Absorbers

Try investing a little time into using oxygen absorbers in your bags or jars. These handy little packets suck out the last bits of oxygen that might sneak into your sealed bags or containers. Weigh the food first and add the correct-sized oxygen absorber for the container (you can usually follow a simple weight-to-absorber chart online). Avoid touching them with damp hands – water and oxygen absorbers definitely don’t mix well!

Signs Your Freeze-Dried Food *Isn’t* Being Stored Properly

Sadly, there are some red flags that your freeze-dried goodies might be compromised. Here’s what to check:

• Discoloration: If your food is starting to look darker or change color beyond its original state, moisture or air has sneaked its way in.
• Clumping or Stickiness: Uh-oh! If your freeze-dried strawberries, for example, are sticking together or forming clumps, the rehydration process has likely started due to moisture getting in. Time to eat it up quickly!
• Mold Growth: This should go without saying, but mold = bad news. Any sign of mold means there’s been moisture exposure. You’re going to want to toss that batch immediately.

Mistakes to Avoid When Storing Freeze-Dried Food

Jessica, mistakes happen, so don’t feel bad! Here are a few common mistakes that folks make with their freeze-dried food – and what you can do to avoid them:

1. Not Allowing Food to Fully Cool

If you go straight from freeze-drying to packing without letting your food cool down, you can trap extra heat or moisture inside, leading to spoilage. Make sure the food is completely room temperature before sealing it.

2. Using the Wrong Storage Containers

Not every container is meant for long-term storage. Thin plastic bags or regular mason jars without vacuum sealing? Not going to cut it! Make sure you’re using containers that will actually keep moisture and air out.

3. Not Using Enough Oxygen Absorbers

Going light on those oxygen absorbers defeats the whole purpose. Double-check the weight guidelines and use them accordingly. Trust me, better safe than sorry!

How Long Can Freeze-Dried Food Last?

When stored properly, your freeze-dried food can last anywhere from 10 to 25 years. Yes, really! Here are some common timeframes to keep in mind:

Maintaining Best Practices Long-Term

Keep an eye on your storage! Jessica, even though freeze-dried foods last for a long time, it’s good to check in on them occasionally. Make it a habit every 6-12 months to inspect your containers, check seals, and ensure no visible issues like discoloration or air leaks are happening. Your stash will thank you later when it’s still fresh as a daisy (well, fresher than that!).

Final Thoughts…

Jessica, thanks again for asking such a thoughtful question! Proper storage of freeze-dried food is a little bit of science and a bit of an art, but it’s so worth perfecting. Always keep your eyes on moisture control, use the right containers, and watch out for those tell-tale signs your seals are intact. Doing so will ensure your garden goodies are ready whenever you need them – even years down the line!