Freeze Dried Fruits: Peaches, Apples, Pineapple, and Berries of All Types

Freeze dried fruits are an effective way to provide the nutrients of fresh fruit all year long as well as in a survival situation. The freeze-drying process maintains most of the nutritional value and may be more economical than sometimes thought. If you consider the fragility of fresh fruit and the rate that it spoils, freeze dried products last for years when packaged, and days once opened.

If you have the choice of fresh fruit, you should take advantage of it, but when it is not available, freeze dried is a good choice. Freeze-dried foods, in particular fruit, retain its fiber and nutritional content, it tastes good, it can last up to 25 years and if you have to carry it, it is lightweight.

Berries

Stock piling freeze dried berries for catastrophic events may provide health benefits in times when you may have difficulty finding advanced medical care. Research supports that freeze dried berries may inhibit esophageal and colon cancer, at least in laboratory rats but additional studies are going forward. Certain compounds such as anthocyanin and phenolic acid found in blue berries, raspberries and strawberries may inhibit certain cancers.

Mountain House, Provident Pantry and Saratoga Farms all provide #10 cans of quality freeze dried fruits, which include berries. For about $220, you can buy Saratoga Farms Berries ReadyPack that includes:

• 2 Cans of whole blueberries
  
• 1 Can of Marion blackberries
  
• 2 Cans of strawberry slices
  
• 1 Can of whole raspberries
  

Freeze drying keeps the phytochemicals in the berries and those are the compounds that appear to be the cancer inhibitors.

Other Freeze Dried Fruits

Emergency Essentials and the ReadyStore carry a variety of freeze dried fruits in #10 cans as well as smaller packaging in 2.5 or 5 ounce cans for fruits other than berries such as:

• Mango
  
• Oranges
  
• Apricot
  
• Cherries
  
• Pineapple
  
• Bananas
  
• Apples
  
• Peaches
  

The fruits are available in chunks, dices and slices as well as whole berries.

How to Use Long-Term Storage Fruits

You can eat your long-term storage fruits in a variety of ways.

• The simplest way is to eat them out of the package as a snack or mix them with granola, almonds or any variety of trail mix foods.
  
• Use yogurt or hummus as a dip for your dried fruit, chop up your fruits for salsa or sprinkle dried fruit on top of ice cream.
  
  
• Use sliced strawberries to make desserts or add to greens for a salad.
  
• In a survival situation, strawberries and cream dessert is a treat in an otherwise harsh environment.
  
• Fruit with chocolate is another easy to do snack as a celebration or reward for a job well done.
  
  
• Incorporate dried apples and apricots in stuffing, not only for poultry such as turkey and chicken but for pork as well.
  
• Combine your freeze-dried bananas with peanut butter for a high-energy snack or mix your mango with chopped chicken.
  

Almost anything you can do with fresh fruit, you can do with your freeze dried fruit.

If you prefer, you can buy freeze-dried products already mixed with the fruit, such as Mountain House granola with blueberries and milk or Saratoga Farms passion fruit yogurt. Reviewers rank highly these products for flavor and versatility.

Preparation

As mentioned you can eat the dried fruit out of the package without any preparation, but you can rehydrate for a side dish or for use in recipes.

To rehydrate, you can use cold or hot water and you can soak or cook your fruits. You can begin with two parts fruit to one part water, then experiment what tastes best to you and your family. You can always add more water or pour off excess until you reach the consistency that works for you.

Fresh fruit has the best nutritional value but when it is not available, freeze dried fruits are a good second choice. In emergencies or day-to-day living, fruit provides a healthy food source for you and your family.

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