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Freeze-dried food
What is Freeze-dried food?
Freeze-dried food offers a lightweight, nutritious, and long-lasting meal solution that’s ideal for outdoor use, emergency preparedness, and everyday convenience.
Freeze-dried food offers a lightweight, nutritious, and long-lasting meal solution that’s ideal for outdoor use, emergency preparedness, and everyday convenience.
Understanding freeze-dried food
Freeze-dried meals offer a smart solution for those who need nutrition, long shelf life, and convenience. They work well for outdoor adventures, emergency preparedness, or everyday use. This page covers the basics and highlights both the environmental and practical advantages of freeze-drying as a preservation method.
Tried a REAL meal from 1995 — no bad smell, still vacuum-sealed, surprisingly delicious!
Steffen Sund – customer
What is freeze-dried food?
Freeze-dried food has undergone a preservation process that involves freezing the food and then reducing the surrounding pressure to allow the frozen water in the food to sublimate directly from the solid phase to the gas phase. This method removes nearly all moisture from the food, resulting in a product that is lightweight, shelf-stable, and retains much of its original flavour and nutritional value.
benefits
Key benefits
Long shelf life
Perfect for longer trips, emergency preparedness, or as backup food.
Balanced nutrition for outdoor energy
The freeze-drying and vacuum process helps preserve its vitamins and minerals.
No prep or cleanup necessary
Just add hot water—no mess, no dishes.
Lightweight and compact
REAL Meals are easy to pack, even for long-distance hikes, and weighs only 130 grams.
Compact and space-saving
REAL Meals take up minimal space, ideal for storing in drawers or pantry shelves.
Flexible for any situation
REAL Meals are perfect during stormy evenings, remote stops, or last-minute meal needs when other options are unavailable.
Simple to use
Using freeze-dried food is straightforward and convenient. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
- Measure Water: Refer to the product instructions for the recommended amount of water.
- Add Water: Pour the specified amount of hot or cold water over the freeze-dried food.
- Stir: Stir well to distribute the water through the food.
- Wait: Allow the food to rehydrate for a few minutes.
- Enjoy: The food is ready to eat once it has absorbed the water.
values from freeze-drying
Lowers transport weight and extends the lifespan of food
Lower Transport Emissions
Lightweight packaging reduces fuels use during shipping.
Reduced Waste
Extended shelf life means less spoilage and fewer discarded meals.
Resource Savings
Requires no refrigeration and minimal packaging materials.
Preserves Surplus Crops
Helps utilize ingredients that might otherwise go to waste.
Environmental and economic impact
Freeze-dried foods are a more sustainable alternative to other preserved foods due to their lightweight and compact nature. Their reduced weight and volume lower shipping costs and fuel consumption, making transportation more efficient. Compared to canned or frozen foods, which require more space and energy, freeze-dried meals help minimize the carbon footprint of food distribution.
Another key benefit is their extended shelf life. Freeze-dried foods last much longer without refrigeration, reducing food waste and energy use. Freezing relies on continuous electricity, while canned goods need energy-intensive packaging. In contrast, freeze-dried meals stay fresh for years, cutting waste and resource consumption.
These foods also support sustainable food systems by preserving seasonal or surplus crops efficiently. This reduces the need for artificial preservatives and lowers the environmental impact of food production. Whether for outdoor adventures, emergency preparedness, or daily use, freeze-dried meals offer a practical and eco-friendly way to enjoy nutritious food.
