Food preservation techniques have evolved over time, preserving food through freeze drying is a modern method in the preservation evolution. Freeze drying food is a food preservation method using space-age technology to remove water from the food to significantly increase the shelf life of the food. Thankfully for those of us who need to eat gluten free there are lots of options available for gluten free freeze dried food.
What is Freeze Drying and How Does it Work?
Freeze drying is a modern method of food preservation that has been developed to preserve food. To freeze dry food the food is first placed into a vacuum chamber. When the vacuum has been applied to the chamber the temperature is lowered causing the food to freeze. Without getting deep into the scientific ins and outs of the phases of matter. Basically when the water freezes at the low pressure inside a vacuum it sublimates to a gas rather than becoming solid ice. The frozen water vapor gas is further extracted by the vacuum pump from the vacuum chamber. When the process has completed the vacuum is released and you are left with a piece of food that has had all the water removed.
By removing the water from the food without using heat many of the nutrients that are lost through traditional dehydration methods remain present in the food. Additionally, the removal of the water under vacuum creates dried food that acts like a sponge reabsorbing water much faster than dehydrated foods.
Gluten Free Freeze Dried Food – Where is it Used?
There are numerous applications where gluten free freeze dried food can be used:
Make sure you have water to prepare the freeze dried or dehydrated food when you are out on an adventure or as part of your emergency preparedness kit.
Hiking/Backpacking –
Because freeze dried food is light weight and nutrient dense it is the perfect food for hiking and backpacking. When you are carrying all your food weight is very important.
Survival
With the water removed from the food through the freeze drying process freeze dried food is shelf stable and does not require refrigeration.
Emergency Food/ 72-Hour Kit
Being prepared for an emergency includes having an emergency food supply. These emergency food supplies
Manufacturers That Produce Gluten Free Freeze Dried Food
There are numerous manufacturers of freeze dried food, and most manufacturers include a number of gluten free freeze dried food options.
Below are links to 9 gluten free freeze dried food manufactures to help you find an option that will suit your tastes:
Nomad Nutrition
Nomad Nutrition is a British Columbia, Canada based freeze dried food manufacture that focus on plant based meal options. All of the freeze dried meals that Nomad Nutrition produces are gluten free. It is such a treat to find a food supplier that is 100% gluten free.
Happy Yak
A relatively new player in the freeze dried food market, Happy Yak was launched in 2013 from Quebec, Canada. With a focus on nutrition in addition to flavor the available options for gluten free freeze dried meals are sure to impress.
Mountain House
One of the larger freeze dried food producers Mountain House has been producing freeze dried food since they began providing food to the US Special Forces during the Vietnam Conflict. Thankfully for those of us who need to eat gluten free, they have several gluten free freeze dried meal options. As one of the larger manufactures Mountain House products are widely available not only through their website but are also widely distributed throughout many retail stores.
Backpackers Pantry
Tracing its roots to a tiering canned food carrying Girl Scout hiking trip in 1951. Evolving from home dried dehydrated meals Backpackers Pantry has become one of the leaders in freeze dried foods. They have a large selection of gluten free freeze dried meals available for all your adventures.
AlpineAire
As part of the Katadyn Group AlpineAire Foods has a rich adventure history. They produce all-natural freeze dried meals with a continually growing selection of gluten free freeze dried foods to fuel your next adventure.
West Coast Kitchen
With over 30 years of experience as an international chef, West Coast Kitchen continues the pursuit of creating great homecooked meals outdoors. Based on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada this freeze dried food producer focus on using local and sustainable ingredients in all of their meals.
Expedition Foods
Manufactured in Britain, Expedition Foods provides freeze dried food to explorers all over the world. Using only the freshest ingredients Expedition Foods freeze dried meals provide complete and balanced nutrition. A number of gluten free freeze dried meals are available, along with a selection for other dietary restrictions.
Good to Go
Combining a love of back packing and being outdoors and a career as a professional chef led to the creation of Good to Go. Good to Go produces a large selection of gluten free freeze dried meals, along with a selection of meals catered to other dietary restrictions.
Bushka’s Kitchen
Offering both hot soaked and cold soaked meals Bushka’s Kitchen provides a number of gluten free freeze dried foods. Focusing on and managing each step in the entire food preparation process from sourcing ingredients to packaging Bushka’s Kitchen is committed to providing meals that support you on whatever your outdoor adventure may be.
Other Sources
Another great source for Gluten Free freeze dried food is REI or your local outdoors store.
If you want to make your own gluten free freeze dried foods a personal freeze dryer may be an option. Although this is a pricey investment it provides the option to create your own gluten free freeze dried foods. The food preservation that can be achieved through freeze drying food is unmatched in terms of shelf life while retaining the nutrition and flavor of the food. Harvest Right provides a variety of personal freeze driers for home use.
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