Freeze-drying, technically referred to as Lyophilization, may be a process of sublimation where water molecules during a solid phase are directly converted to vapor phase. Since Lyophilization is that the most complex and expensive variety of dehydration, its use is typically restricted to delicate and heat-sensitive high value materials.
Freeze drying may be a relatively recent method of preserving food. It involves freezing the food, then removing most the moisture during a vacuum chamber, and eventually sealing the food in an airtight container. Freeze dried foods are often easily transported at normal temperatures, stored for an extended period of your time , and consumed with a minimum of preparation. Once prepared, freeze-dried foods have much an equivalent look and taste because the original natural products.
Freeze-dried food has many advantages. Because the maximum amount as 98% of the water content has been removed, the food is extremely lightweight, which significantly reduces the cost of shipping. This also makes it popular with boaters and hikers who need to carry their food with them. Because it requires no refrigeration, shipping and storage costs are even further reduced.
Global Freeze Dried Fruits and Vegetables Market is expected to surpass USD 60 billion by 2025. Increasing popularity of packaged food will be a major factor behind the freeze dried fruits and vegetables market growth. The product is extensively used in preparing many packaged food items such as soups, juices, ready-to-eat meals, etc. The advantages of the product over fresh fruits and vegetables will augment the industry growth in the forecast years.
Freeze drying is considered as the best drying process for packaging food and beverage products as it maintains the structural integrity and preserves the flavor. Freeze dried fruits & vegetables have better aroma, rehydration, and bioactivity when compared to products dried using other alternative techniques. Other advantages include better shelf-life, higher amount of retention of nutrients, color & texture and easy rehydration capability. These factors, coupled with developments in drying technology, will propel the global market growth in the forecast years. Thus, due to demand it is best to invest in this project.
Few Indian major players are as under
Accelerated Freeze Drying Co. Ltd.
Agro Dutch Inds. Ltd.
Amalgam Foods & Beverages Ltd. [Merged]
Gujarat Dehyd Foods Ltd.
Himalaya Food Intl. Ltd.
Kohinoor Foods Ltd.
