How to Freeze Dry Pears: A Step-by-Step Guide

The basic principle behind a freeze drying machine is to freeze the food object and then use vacuum to remove moisture gradually. This method can store the moisture-deprived food for a long time without signs of rotting. Of all fruits, pears are especially suitable for freeze drying as its fresh juicy taste gives them a superior edge over other fruits when freeze dried. Consuming freeze-dried pears is a good way to acquire their sweet taste and nutrients throughout the year. Here is a detailed guide to those who are longing for a process of freezing drying pears at home:

Step 1: Selecting the Right Pears

Choose ripe and flavourful pears for freeze drying. Look for firm, sweet pears such as Bartlett, Anjou and Bosc varieties. Avoid overripe or bruised pears.

Step 2: Preparation

Wash the pears in a colander under running water to remove any soil or residue. Peel the pears and remove the cores, then slice the fruit into approximately ¼- to ½-inch slices. Slice the pears making sure the pieces are all the same thickness in order to ensure even, competing dehydration conditions.

Step 3: Pre-Treatment (Optional)

Some recipes recommend pre-treating the fruit slices to prevent browning and to keep the colour and flavour. You can dunk the slices in a lemon juice and water solution (1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water) for a few minutes before they are freeze dried, or you can use a commercial fruit preservative, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 4: Arrange on Trays

Layout prepared pear slice pieces in a single layer onto freeze drying trays in equal distance from each other. Ensure that they aren't touching or overlapping in order to have even airflow while freeze drying them.

Step 5: Freeze Drying

Put the trays in the freeze dryer and follow the manufacturer’s instruction for loading and operation. Freeze-drying involves first freezing the food at a very low temperature, then slowly lowering the pressure until the moisture sublimes to a vapour and is not able to boil at the low pressure without causing ice crystals (an endothermic reaction). This leaves freeze-dried food which is almost fully intact with little or no damage to its molecular structure or nutritional content.

Step 6: Monitor Progress

Check on the freeze drying a few times to ensure that the pears are not drying too quickly. Depending on the size of the pear slices and their thickness and the efficacy of your freeze dryer, it could take several hours to complete the process. Check for a crispness in the pear slices that lets you know they are dried and free from moisture.

Step 7: Storage

When the pears are completely dry, remove them from the trays and pack them in air-tight containers or vacuum-sealed freezer bags. Sealed, freeze-dried pears can remain at room temperature for months or even years, still tasting good, still crunchy, and still containing most of their original nutrition.

Step 8: Rehydrating (Optional)

You can rehydrate them by simply placing them in water for a couple of minutes. I usually stir them around a bit with a spoon until they regain their original texture and flavour. They can still be used once rehydrated. You can eat rehydrated freeze-dried pears as a stand-alone snack or in a yogurt, or use the pears in recipes that call for fresh or dried fruit. They really can be used either way.