Freeze Drying Corn
Freeze drying is the process how to preserve food by removing the water while the food still freezed. This process helps to keep the food for a longer time without effecting the texture, tastes, and nutrion content in the food, like what we preserved in a refrigerator. The popularity of freeze drying corn is rapidly increasing due to its advantages.
What is Freeze Drying?
Food that has been freeze-dried is made by freezing the food, reducing the pressure and evaporation within the surroundings, and then removing the water content. This process maintains the physical structure and nutritional content of the food, and thus guarantees a very high-quality preservation.
Why Choose Freeze Drying for Corn?
Assuming you seal the corn tightly, freeze drying preserves the nutrients whole and the flavour intact. It doesn’t take up room in your freezer, and a power outage or freezer fail won’t render it rotten or encrusted with freezer burn.
Understanding the Freeze Drying Process
The process of freeze-drying is a simple one. Firstly, the corn is frozen and then the water is drawn out under a vacuum, before sealing the drien corn into storage compartments.
Key Steps in the Freeze Drying Process
The three steps that take place in the freeze drying process are freezing during the first step, primary drying (sublimation), and secondary drying (desorption). Each of these steps plays a significant role in preserving the food quality.
Equipment Needed for Freeze Drying
The most important thing for home freeze drying is a freeze dryer. At the moment they are available in several variations: from home units to medium and large laboratory and industrial units.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Freeze Dry Corn
For the most part, freeze-drying corn at home isn’t very difficult if you have the equipment; it just involves preparing the corn, putting it into the freeze dryer, and letting the machine run through its automatic cycle.
Preparing the Corn for Freeze Drying
Raw corn must be cleaned before freeze drying. This process involves peeling back the husk and cutting the strings of silk. Next, the corn cob is boiled for several minutes and immediately doused in ice water so that it cools quickly. After being cut from the cob while it is still wet, the kernels can be placed on the trays of the freeze dryer.
Using a Freeze Dryer
After the corn has been prepared by steaming and draining, it is necessary to place the trays of food in the freeze dryer and set it to run when the power is on. That's it for the basics of freeze drying. Depending on the quantity and the size of the freeze dryer, the duration of the drying cycle will take between 24 and 48 hours.
Post Freeze Drying Process
Once the cycle is complete, the corn should look dry and be ready for storage. Handle the freeze-dried corn carefully, as it is quite fragile.
Storing Freeze Dried Corn
If freeze dried corn is stored in correct manner then it will retain taste, texture and nutritious value. Otherwise it will go waste.
Importance of Proper Storage
The most important thing you can do to protect your freeze dried corn is to store it in a cool and dry place away from sunlight, in sturdy, sealed containers.
Best Storage Methods for Freeze Dried Corn
The best way to store the freeze dried corn is to seal in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. This will keep the corn fresh and tasty delicious for at least 25 years. Alternatively, another method of food preservation is by putting oxygen absorbers at the bottom of canning jars, put the freeze dried corn in the jars, and vacuum seal the lids.
Uses of Freeze Dried Corn
differents: Freeze-dried corn kernels can be rehydrated and used like fresh corn, or added as is, to different recipes.
Rehydrating Freeze Dried Corn
Simply stir in a bit of warm water and allow the freeze-dried corn to soak for a few minutes. After that, you can cook it just as you would fresh corn.
Using Freeze Dried Corn in Salads
Freeze dried corn is good in salads: its crunch adds a sweet burst of flavour. Add the corn right to your salad; there’s no need to rehydrate it first.
Creative Freeze Dried Corn Recipes
Photo by Coyau/WikipediaA significant amount of creativity can go into recipes that use the corn. You can always have fine-quality corn chowder, and cornbread is a classic with returned crews. But you can also make your own sugar from corn starch (sucrose), or even cornmeal moonshine just for fun. You could argue that freeze-dried corn has earned its place in a spare parts storage compartment in your home, taking up about a litre of space.
Conclusion
Freeze drying corn helps preserve it for the long-term while retaining nutrients and tastes of fresh corn. With the right tools and adequate preparation, freeze dried corn can complement your emergency pantry.
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