Freeze-dried fruit is fruit that has been preserved using a process called freeze-drying, which removes nearly all moisture content while retaining original structure and nutrients. This method preserves the fruit’s natural color, flavor, and shape, resulting in a light, crispy texture.

Freeze-drying starts with fresh fruit sourced from the best growing regions across the world, to ensure the highest quality raw materials are utilized. The fresh fruit is then picked, washed, cut, and frozen. This rapid freezing prevents large ice crystals from forming on the fruit and preserves the quality of the fruit. The frozen fruit is then packaged and shipped to a drying facility, where it is gently dried under pressure to remove its water content. The frozen water within the fruit sublimates—changing directly from ice to vapor without going through a liquid phase. The process operates at low temperatures, which contributes to preserving the fruit’s nutritional value, taste, appearance, and heat-sensitive compounds. The dried fruit is then packaged in foodservice-friendly packaging and ready to use!

Freeze-dried fruit and dried fruit are both forms of preserved fruit, but they differ in significant ways, including their processing methods, textures, profiles, and shelf life. Freeze-dried fruit is created through a process that involves freezing the fruit and then using a vacuum to remove moisture. This method preserves the fruit’s structure, color, and flavor, resulting in a light, airy, and crispy texture. Dried fruit is typically made by air-drying or sun-drying, which uses low heat over time to remove moisture and results in a dense, chewy texture.

When it comes to shelf life, freeze-dried fruit generally lasts longer due to its extremely low moisture content, which reduces the risk of spoilage. Dried fruit also has a long shelf life but can be more prone to spoilage compared to freeze-dried fruit.

In terms of taste, freeze-dried fruit closely resembles fresh fruit because the natural flavors are well-preserved, whereas dried fruit has a sweeter, more cooked taste.

Freeze dried fruit retains the fruit’s original shape and is more porous than dried fruit. They can uptake liquids and return to a fruit shape and flavor profile that will be more like fresh fruit than rehydrated dried fruit.
Freeze-dried fruits, because they have very low moisture content and are crisp, can also be ground into a powder that can also be added to liquids for flavor. Dried fruits are more dense and chewy, contain more moisture, and can’t be easily ground into powder form.

Freeze-dried fruit tends to retain most of its original vitamins and minerals since the process is gentler on the nutrients. Dried fruit, however, can lose more nutrients compared to freeze-dried fruit, due to the higher temperatures involved in the drying process.

Freeze-dried fruit is a dynamic ingredient that enhances signature culinary and beverage offerings by adding texture, flavor and visual appeal. All products can be used in recipes as an ingredient or as an attractive garnish.

Freeze-dried fruit is a creative garnish for cocktails and spirit-free offerings. It can also be floated in the drink or blended into smoothies. You can also process freeze-dried fruit into a fine powder to use it as a glass rimmer.

In culinary and dessert dishes, freeze-dried fruit can serve as a garnish and topping for ice cream, desserts, salads and other dishes. Or in fine powder form, it can be mixed into marinades, sauces and more to add flavor.

Freeze-dried fruit is beneficial in baking because it provides concentrated flavor without adding extra moisture. When ground to a powder, it blends seamlessly into batters and doughs, enhancing taste without affecting texture.

Freeze-dried fruit will rehydrate with exposure to moisture. To rehydrate fruit, just add to liquid such as water or other beverage. Allow the fruit to sit in the liquid until desired firmness or softness.

Tastecraft samples are included in every complimentary sample shipment of The Perfect Purée. Tastecraft sample boxes include a 10g pouch of every Tastecraft flavor. To request samples, visit the Tastecraft complimentary sample form. Samples are complimentary to foodservice and manufacturing professionals only.

Broken or imperfect pieces can still serve a variety of creative purposes. They can be incorporated into breads and cakes or used as eye-catching floating elements in cocktails and drinks. Crumbled pieces make excellent garnishes for salads, desserts, and other dishes. For even more versatility, use a food processor or spice grinder to turn freeze-dried fruit into a fine powder. This powder can enhance the flavor of beverages, culinary dishes, and desserts, or serve as an attractive garnish.

All Tastecraft Freeze-Dried Fruit except lime have a shelf life of 2 years from its manufacture date if unopened. Lime has a shelf life of 18 months from its manufacture date if unopened. Store it in a dry environment at or below 74°F, and avoid storage in a freezer or temperatures below 34°F.

For optimal quality after opening, always reseal the package and limit exposure to humidity to extend its shelf life.

Due to the product’s delicate nature, handle with care to prevent breakage. When removing the product from the pouch, use tongs for slices and bar spoons or scoops for pieces, dices, and crumbles.

All Tastecraft Freeze-Dried Fruit are Kosher Certified except for Raspberry. Tastecraft Freeze-Dried Fruit are not organic. They are made with non-GMO fruit, but not non-GMO certified. All Freeze-Dried Fruit are vegan.

Dragon Fruit: China, Vietnam
Lemon: Italy, Argentina, Spain, Turkey
Orange: Turkey
Lime: Vietnam
Raspberry: Serbia
Strawberry: Egypt, Morocco, Poland, Turkey
Pineapple: Columbia, Ecuador, Vietnam, India