Dehydrated VS. Freeze dried

Many people think freeze-dried products and dehydrated products are the same thing. While they’re both good for long-term storage and emergency kits, their “life sustaining shelf life” is different, as is their preservation process.

1. Moisture: Freeze-drying removes about 98 percent of the moisture in food, while dehydration removes about 90 percent.
2. Shelf life: The moisture content has an effect on shelf life, with freeze-dried foods lasting between 25 and 30 years, and dehydrated products lasting about 15 to 20 years.
3. Nutrition: Freeze-dried food retains most of the original vitamins and minerals of fresh produce, while the dehydration process can easily break down those nutrients.