How to Package Freeze-Dried Tropical Fruits

Tropical fruits in bulk before packaging

Freeze-dried tropical fruits are a great way to get plenty of vitamins and nutrients. The process of freeze-drying fruits starts by removing the moisture from the fruit using a very low temperature and a vacuum. Freeze-dried tropical fruits are a great addition to cereal, and makes good toppings on ice cream or frozen yogurt. You can also bake them into muffins and cakes. Packaged correctly, the fruits can be stored for use for up to a year.

Things You'll Need

• Nylon bags
• Bag sealer
• Scoop

Instructions

1. Buy specially made foil bags to keep the moisture out of your freeze dried fruit. Preferably resealable for longer shelf life. You can purchase them in different shapes and sizes. Find the right size bag for the portion of fruit you will be storing in it. Make sure the bag fits just right, and is not too big.

2. Scoop the freeze-dried tropical fruits into the bags, making sure to leave enough empty space to be able to pinch the ends of the bag together.

3. Holding the bags shut, place the open end under the bag sealer. Seal the bag as close as possible to the fruit, pressing down on the sealer for 3 seconds. Any longer than that will cause tears in the nylon. If using resealable bags, close them at the seal.

4. Stick a product label or an expiration label on your finished packaged product. The shelf life on freeze- dried fruits varies on the temperature of the location in which they are stored. The higher the temperature, the shorter the shelf life. They could last from 6 months to a year.

Tips & Warnings

• It's important to store your freeze dried fruits in a cool, dry, and dark area, so the light does not affect the color or the quality of the fruit.

References

• Freeze Dried Foods: Freeze Dried Fruit
• Pick Your Own: Packaging Dry Foods
• Closer to Nature: Emergency Preparedness