Can You Rehydrate Freeze Dried Candy?

Rehydrating freeze dried food is an essential skill if you have food storage, but does this also apply to freeze dried candy?

Freeze drying is a three-step process that preserves the flavor and color of the original food while the texture becomes something totally new. Many people delight in the varying textures and tastes of freeze dried candy; it offers a fun twist on your favorite classics! But what if you change your mind and want to rehydrate the candy? Fortunately, this process is quite simple.

Keep reading to learn more about freeze dried candy and the specifics of the rehydration process.

What Is Freeze Drying?

Freeze drying, or lyophilization, is a dehydration process that involves freezing the product, lowering pressure, and then removing the ice by sublimation.

When you freeze-dry candy, you start by freezing the candy quickly. It’s cooled down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit rapidly enough to ensure the ice crystals that develop aren’t too big not to damage the candy’s structure.

Next, a freeze drying vacuum is turned on. Nearly all the air is sucked out of the chamber, leaving the candy under almost zero atmospheric pressure.

Finally, the candy is warmed in the freeze-dryer, causing the ice to sublime. This process creates thousands of tiny bubbles in the candy, expanding it to as much as several times its original size depending on its moisture content. Without the water content, the candy’s flavor intensifies

What Foods Can Be Freeze Dried?

The short answer is most food can be freeze dried, including:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Desserts
• Meats 
• Dairy
• Whole meals, such as soup or lasagna

Here are a few foods that don’t do well in a freeze dryer:

• Jam
• Syrup
• Honey
• Peanut Butter
• Butter

Can You Eat Freeze Dried Candy Dry?

Yes! While you can rehydrate various candies, they are meant to be eaten in their freeze dried state. Since we’ve started freeze drying candy, we’ve talked with many friends and customers about how they think it tastes. We’ve heard a wide range of taste descriptions, but the feedback is generally positive overall!

Freeze dried candy puts a spin on your favorite classics. Most people say that it tastes different but in a good way, and some chewy candies end up hard and crunchy. Others become fluffy and melt in your mouth. Many freeze dried candy options even taste better than the original!

Ways To Rehydrate Freeze Dried Food

If you’re looking to experiment with rehydrating candy or any other food, you’ll need one of the following techniques:

• Boiling Water - Using boiling water is one easy way to rehydrate various types of freeze dried food. Simply bring a pot of water to a boil, pour it over the dehydrated food, and allow it to sit for 20-45 minutes. Less dense foods rehydrate more quickly than others, so you’ll find that certain foods need more time. You can also use fruit juice in place of water if you wish!

• Overnight Soak- Fill a container with the amount of freeze dried food you want to rehydrate. Next, fill the container with water and give yourself another inch above the food. Soak the food overnight, and then it will be ready to use! When applying this method, ensure you don’t overhydrate the food; otherwise, it will end up overly soggy.

• Simmering - If you’re already heating up a liquid for another purpose (for example, making soup), simply put your freeze dried products into the simmering liquid. This method is faster than an overnight soak and works just as effectively as boiling.  

Benefits of Freeze Dried Candy

One question you might be asking yourself is why? Why freeze-dry candy in the first place? Besides tasting delicious, freeze dried candy offers several other benefits, including:

• Freeze dried candy is great for denture-wearers - Anyone who wears dentures knows all too well that there are certain foods you just can’t eat. Caramel is usually at the top of that list, but what about freeze dried caramel? 

As it turns out, this is tailor-made for people wearing dentures! It has the same flavor as the original but with a delightfully crispy texture that won’t cause a sticky issue with your dentures. If you wear dentures and have been missing some of your favorite caramel or chewy candies, snag a bag today!

• Braces-wearers can enjoy their favorite freeze dried candies - Traditional braces involve being cemented to individual teeth, which means you have to avoid overly chewy, sticky, or hard foods during that time. Biting into a whole apple, chewing gum, or crunching down on a tough caramel are all actions that might warrant an extra trip to the orthodontist. 

Enter freeze dried candy as a viable solution! You can enjoy your favorite sweets again without the risk of damaging your expensive braces. While freeze dried goodies aren’t 100% risk-free of breakage, it’s reduced significantly. If you’re ready to give taffy, Milk Duds, Skittles, or any other typical braces-hazard a go,shop your favorites today!

• Freeze dried candy is an excellent solution for people with dental partials - The same food restrictions can apply to those who wear dental partials. Hard, sticky, or excessively chewy foods can be tough on the gum tissue under the partials. 

Certain foods can also break or bend the clips that connect the partials to the teeth. While gummy candies are typically a no-go, our freeze dried confectionaries offer a tasty solution! Many gummy options dissolve in your mouth, leaving a fresh, fruity taste without any sticky cleanup.

Sweet Solutions From Candy Jan

Are you looking to expand your pantry with freeze dried candy? At Candy Jan, we have just the snacks and desserts you’re looking for! Your food storage isn’t complete without some sweet to match the savory. 

Top off food storage with some freeze dried candy classics that will keep for decades! If you’ve never had any of your favorite candies freeze dried, you’re really in for a treat! 

Candy Jan has all kinds of classic candies available for purchase and delivery today!Shop for your favorites andreach out with any questions or requests.