Freeze dried vs dehydrated: what changes in the bag

Dehydrated means heat

Dehydrating dries food with warm air over many hours. It works, but heat changes texture and flavor, and pieces often come out hard and dark.

Freeze dried means cold

Freeze drying freezes the raw ingredient, then pulls the ice out as vapor in a vacuum. No cooking. The piece keeps its shape, color and smell, and turns light and crisp.

Why it stays shelf stable

With the water gone, there is nothing for spoilage to grow in. That is why there are no preservatives on the label and no fridge needed.

Storing an open bag

Press the zip closed after each use, keep it in the pantry, and finish it within 30 days. If pieces go soft, the bag was left open. They are still safe, just less crunchy.