Freeze-dried candy has taken the snack world by storm, offering a fun, crunchy texture and intense flavors. If you’ve ever tried freeze-dried Skittles, gummy bears, or even chocolate bars, you know how different they are from their traditional counterparts. But how is freeze-dried candy actually made? What’s the process behind creating these airy, light, and shelf-stable treats?
In this article, we’ll dive into the step-by-step process of how freeze-dried candy is made, explore the science behind it, and give you a better understanding of why freeze-dried candy has become such a popular and unique snack.
What is Freeze-Drying?
Before we get into the details of making freeze-dried candy, let’s quickly define what freeze-drying is. Freeze-drying is a process in which food (or candy, in this case) is frozen to very low temperatures, and then the pressure is lowered in a vacuum chamber. This causes the ice inside the food to sublimate, meaning it turns directly from a solid to a gas, skipping the liquid phase entirely. As the ice evaporates, the food becomes dry, light, and shelf-stable while retaining much of its original flavor and structure.
Step-by-Step Process of Making Freeze-Dried Candy
- Preparation and Selection of Candy
The first step in making freeze-dried candy is selecting the type of candy to freeze-dry. While almost any candy can be freeze-dried, some are more suited to the process than others. Common candidates include:
- Gummy candy (e.g., gummy bears, gummy worms)
- Hard candies (e.g., Skittles, Jolly Ranchers)
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate-covered treats
Candy that has a high moisture content, like gummies or marshmallows, often works best in freeze-drying because they undergo a dramatic change in texture, becoming light, airy, and crispy after the moisture is removed.
Once the candy is selected, it’s typically cut into smaller pieces if necessary. For example, large gummies might be cut in half to ensure they freeze-dry evenly.
- Freezing the Candy
After the candy is prepared, it’s placed in a freezer to freeze at extremely low temperatures, typically around -40°F (-40°C). This stage is crucial because the freezing process helps preserve the candy’s structure and flavor. For freeze-drying to work properly, the candy must be completely frozen before the vacuum stage begins.
Some freeze-dryers can have a pre-freezing option, where the candy is rapidly frozen in a chamber before being placed into the main freeze-drying area. This step helps speed up the process and ensures the candy is frozen evenly.
- Vacuum Sealing and Sublimation
Once the candy is frozen, it’s placed inside a freeze-dryer, which is a specialized machine that creates a vacuum. The vacuum environment lowers the pressure around the candy, causing the frozen water inside to turn into vapor through the process of sublimation. This happens without the candy ever reaching its melting point, ensuring that the candy doesn’t lose its original shape or color.
The freeze-dryer uses heat to facilitate the sublimation process, slowly removing the moisture from the candy. This can take anywhere from 12 to 48 hours depending on the size, type of candy, and the machine used.
- Secondary Drying (Desorption)
Once the majority of the moisture has been removed, the freeze-drying machine enters the secondary drying phase. This stage is important because it removes any residual moisture that could cause the candy to spoil over time. At this stage, the temperature is slightly raised, but the pressure remains low, allowing any remaining moisture to evaporate. This phase usually takes between 4 and 8 hours.
The goal of this phase is to ensure the candy is as dry as possible, preventing the growth of bacteria, mold, or other spoilage agents.
- Packaging and Storage
Once the freeze-drying process is complete, the candy is carefully removed from the freeze-dryer. It will be light, airy, and dry to the touch, often with a crispy or crunchy texture. The candy is then packaged in airtight containers to prevent moisture from being reabsorbed. Proper packaging is essential for maintaining the candy’s shelf stability and crisp texture.
Some manufacturers may also add oxygen absorbers to the packaging to extend the shelf life of the candy, as exposure to oxygen can cause the candy to degrade over time.
Why Does Freeze-Dried Candy Taste So Different?
The most noticeable difference between regular candy and freeze-dried candy is the texture. Freeze-dried candy becomes light, crispy, and airy, offering a completely different eating experience. This is because the moisture that once made the candy chewy or sticky is gone, leaving behind a crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth sensation.
In addition to the texture change, freeze-dried candy also has an intense flavor. Without moisture diluting the candy’s taste, the flavors are more concentrated, providing a burst of sweetness or tanginess with every bite.
Benefits of Freeze-Dried Candy
- Long Shelf Life: One of the biggest advantages of freeze-dried candy is its ability to last for months or even years without refrigeration. The absence of moisture prevents spoilage, making it a great option for long-term storage or emergency food supplies.
- Lightweight: Freeze-dried candy is incredibly lightweight, making it a convenient snack for on-the-go or outdoor activities like hiking or camping.
- Preservation of Nutrients: While candy isn’t typically known for its nutritional value, freeze-drying helps preserve the original flavor and ingredients. For fruit-based candies, freeze-drying can retain some of the natural vitamins and minerals found in the fruit.
Conclusion
Freeze-dried candy is created through a fascinating process that involves freezing the candy, creating a vacuum, and removing moisture through sublimation. The result is a crispy, light snack with an intense, concentrated flavor. Whether you’re enjoying freeze-dried gummy bears, marshmallows, or even chocolate-covered treats, this unique candy offers a fun twist on classic sweets. Whether for long-term storage, snacking, or just trying something new, freeze-dried candy is definitely worth a try for those looking for a fun and crunchy treat!