Better than Candy (How to Freeze Dry Berries)

Рет қаралды 44,682

Жыл бұрын

Freeze-drying berries couldn't be easier, and it's quickly become one of my favorite ways to preserve that summer flavor. We all know frozen berries just aren't as good as fresh ones. So freeze-dry them for that pique of summer flavor for years to come!
Get step-by-step instructions in the blog post here: homesteadingfamily.com/freeze...
LINKS MENTIONED:
- Harvest Right Freeze Dryer: homesteadingfamily.com/harves...
- Jar Sealer: homesteadingfamily.com/jar-se...
- Mylar Bags and Oxygen Absorbers at Azure Standard: homesteadingfamily.com/AzureS...
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#freezedryingberries #freezedryer #harvestright

Пікірлер: 128

@mimiashford5544 Ай бұрын

For us, large blueberries just weren't worth the trouble, but I found that wild blueberries, which are much smaller, dry perfectly & quickly without any prep other than washing/drying.

@cassgrimm3029 Ай бұрын

same

@jbbrowneyes Жыл бұрын

For the knock off brand bags (especially the zip top kind) before you use them open them up and look into the dark bag for light. A lot have pin holes that will let air in. Another reason to use jars is that rodents can’t chew into them. mice WILL chew through a Mylar bag…even the expensive ones

@LittleKi1 Жыл бұрын

Just got a freeze dryer. These videos are incredibly useful.

@HomesteadingFamily Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

@jeannettelavoie9829 9 ай бұрын

If you have to break the skins of blueberries the absolute best way to do it would be with a brand new dog brush! Lay your blueberries down in your tree and just plunge the brush into a bunch of blueberries at the same time

@jeannettelavoie9829 9 ай бұрын

Sorry, meant tray lol not tree

@dianaalderson 4 ай бұрын

Great idea, thanks for the comment.

@lauragrandgenett 6 күн бұрын

This video is so helpful. Got my first freeze dryer and really appreciate your detailed instructions for the berries. Thank you for the help.

@annnelson6311 Жыл бұрын

Hi Carolyn, thank you for this video! I would love to see more content on freeze drying different kinds of foods. Thanks!

@ShiraKaiman Жыл бұрын

to save time try using an egg slicer to slice your strawberries on the other side of it the berries will all be the same size slice, also good on mushrooms.

@SuziesCornerInLove Жыл бұрын

My egg slicer is wire. It pulls and isn't best. I have my berries in freezer. I'm goung to try the slicer to my kitchen aid. Let's hope it works!

@aaronmcclanahan3449 5 ай бұрын

We have a strawberry slicer

@CatherineGoodrich 4 күн бұрын

My mom always did that!

@lorikrafft8197 Жыл бұрын

Are absolutely love freeze dried apples!!! I wish I could buy a freeze drier!!!!

@gloriaroberts8963 Жыл бұрын

😢😢😢😢😢😢 18:17 18:18 18:18 18:18

@pt8019 Жыл бұрын

Another downside is they emit heat and they are loud. Things you need to think about. We love ours too.

@ediemurray1692 Жыл бұрын

You can get ones that are more quite now. Cant even hear mine and its not the top of the line for the most quite.

@charlenehamm Жыл бұрын

I use our hard boiled egg slicer to slice strawberries and bananas to freeze dry to add to cereal or desserts.

@PaPaKarl Жыл бұрын

I purchased a meat tenderizer tool with 48 prongs to peirce the blueberries. I place the berries in a single layer on the freeze dryer trays,then pierce the berries. Works great and is fast!

@marisab7200 Жыл бұрын

This sounds like the ONLY way! Thank you ma’am!

@HomesteadingFamily Жыл бұрын

Great idea!

@mattpurchase1 4 ай бұрын

Derma roller?

@fdabill1 Жыл бұрын

These freeze drying videos that demonstrate the ways you use them are so very helpful. I would love to see you show freeze drying and using tomato products. Mine are still green but will be ready soon and I’m not quite sure all the ways I could use my freeze drier for them. Thanks for all you share.

@ceepark114 Жыл бұрын

I like the idea of blending up the berries then putting in the freeze dryer then make a powder from them.

@SuziesCornerInLove Жыл бұрын

I've made a "blended green soup" for years now. It works perfect for freeze drying using same method. Just add hot aater. Oh, well, i love to add nutritional yeast and garlic infused olive oil to may soup mug. Yum.

@enuffisenuff24 4 ай бұрын

I just did 5lbs of Huckleberries and 2lbs of Raspberry...they really are super nice to just have in a container to throw in oatmeal or yogurt or ice cream. Whats really nice is you can bake with them without turning everything grey! Keeping them stocked is the hardest thing!

@karenhowell7850 8 ай бұрын

For powdering, I like to put the contents of the tray into a gallon zip-lock bag. Then I lay it on the counter and run my rolling pin over the bag. It powders easily. Then I empty the bag into my jar or mylar bag.

@vicky52557985 5 ай бұрын

omg you have 2 freeze dryers i am totally jealous!!! Everything looks so good

@karenhowell7850 8 ай бұрын

I appreciate your thorough instructions. Thanks! I am learning a lot.

@honeybadger5933 Жыл бұрын

You can use an onion slicing holder to prick the blueberries. That was a tip i learned from Darcy the dehydrating queen.

@janetchisolm-richard6225 3 ай бұрын

Thanks. This was very informative. I bought some blackberries and this was a gem.

@brendamossey9321 Жыл бұрын

I want one so bad but just not in the budget for me. But I do love watching these videos on making different things with them.

@unicornjennie 11 ай бұрын

Same here

@jessicameyer4135 Жыл бұрын

A freeze dryer is my next big goal!

@ensabahnur7657 Жыл бұрын

Great presentation!

@HomesteadingFamily Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

@joyceburton8208 11 ай бұрын

Love your videos and the information you share. You listed the jar adapter but not the make-model of the hand held vacuum tool you used -- unless of course I just missed it. Please let me know more info. Thank you so much and please keep making these informative videos.

@crystalclear1969 Жыл бұрын

I love my freeze dryer

@cherylpresleigh6403 Жыл бұрын

We just purchased a used Harvest Right freeze dryer from someone who upgraded to a larger size so this was a not only timely but a fabulous video, thank you! I’m wondering if when blending the berries and yogurt for a smoothie powder, if it’s okay to add a protein or collagen powder to the mix as well or if it would be better to add those types of extras when rehydrating the powder?

@mojoflyingsolo639 Жыл бұрын

I do a lot of eggs and when they are done I put the eggs into a zip lock bag and use a rolling pin to powder them up and the into a half gallon jar for a week before I put them into mylar bags.

@joyfulfootprints1174 Ай бұрын

Why in a jar foe a week?

@Dee.G123 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for tge excellent video. Do you have a link for the hand held vacuum sealer/pump?

@mjvoigts 6 ай бұрын

How do you make a smoothie out of the powder? Great video!

@chicken-grandma 11 ай бұрын

I can't wait to do berries...I did blue berries and they were terrible...will try strawberry and blackberries soon

@leslieunderwood1429 Жыл бұрын

Do you have a link to the hand held sealer? The link you provided is for the jar attachment. Thank you so much!

@Joie-de-Vivre33 Жыл бұрын

I have the jar adapter, but what is the hand held vacuum sealer that you use? I use my adapter with my cabela’s sealer and would like something more convenient for the jars.

@SusanHenshaw 4 ай бұрын

Hello, love your videos. Would you vinegar and water wash your berries before freeze drying?

@T4nkcommander Жыл бұрын

Everyone says berries are pretty easy, but I've had the hardest time with them, never getting a successful run of cherries so far. Blueberries are lot of work if you want them to remain fully intact, otherwise they won't FD properly. I'm guessing that untreated frozen batch of blueberries you did here wont actually FD properly. With ver 24 and newer (at least) you can mix non-frozen and frozen food with no issue. I do it all the time. Thanks for the video!

@SilverTopMom Жыл бұрын

One of my grandson's absolutely loves my freeze dried apples and strawberries! I haven't tried blueberries yet, but do plan to. I do however have large bags of frozen, individually packaged (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, ext.) that I bought on sale at our local store. They are 5 pound bags each and I picked up two bags each. I know it's going to take the entire freeze dryer per 10 pounds. I'm sure my grandson will love them.

@MispelledOnPurpose 11 ай бұрын

I had a hard time with fruit too, especially berries. Then I tried extending both the freeze time and the dry time by 12 hours and it worked. I still have to rush to seal them up as soon as the machine stops because they reabsorb moisture quickly.

@HelpYouToOrganize 4 ай бұрын

Awesome video Thanks! I have a few questions~ Can I send the children off with the fruits in a zip lock bag? How long will they be good for? And if fruit is in a jar we open daily, do we vacuum seal each time the jar is opened? Thanks in advance!

@denbrei9112 10 ай бұрын

I have a food saver vacuum system minus the jar part. Can I use those bags instead of the mylar ones? Great video, very informative

@HomesteadingFamily 10 ай бұрын

The mylar bags will not only store longer, but keep the light off the food with helps, as well.

@NanaFlea Жыл бұрын

Question, I've had my freeze dryer for about a year now. I have never had the "pre freeze" button ? The only time mine doesn't said, pre freezing wait 15 minutes is in the candy mode (I believe). I'd go check, but I'm freeze drying some shredded zucchini. 😂

@ashleiwilliams447 Жыл бұрын

I dont know if anyone has thought of it, but for the blueberries you could use a fork and collect them on a fork then push them off. Might be faster haha

@marlaherrington5320 Жыл бұрын

I would love to get a freeze dryer but it's just not in my budget

@melissabeecher828 7 ай бұрын

What settings do you use when doing the fresh fruit. Do you need to change temperatures in settings?

@shadownightshade9125 Жыл бұрын

What would be the best place to put a freeze dryer. Could you put outside on a covered enclosed deck. I know there is a hose for draining. I really have a lot of room in my kitchen.

@hollie99 Жыл бұрын

For the blueberries i watched another video and they used a hair pick to poke lots of blueberries at one time .

@beccasue2067 10 ай бұрын

Could you give me a little information if you have done green beans and the freeze dryer? I've watched a few videos. They seem to be great as snacks, right from the jar. However, it Seems to be more work to rehydrate for meals. Do you have any experience with this? I currently pressure can our green beans.

@bmills284 Ай бұрын

I heard that if one tray still needed more time that you would keep the others in there for the additional time too. Are you sayng you can just put the one tray back for additional time?

@caryreprogle6445 11 ай бұрын

Hi Carolyn, just have a question, with your machines so close together, how do you operate the drain valve on the right one and do you have a problem with heat transfer? love your videos, keep up the good work.

@HomesteadingFamily 11 ай бұрын

We talk about heat transfer with the freeze dryer here at 11:45 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rKd7q7NhsLWRhHk.html&lc=UgyYyBHc4eL5TL4j8Rt4AaABAg

@spillman1569 4 ай бұрын

I would like to know how they handled the drain valve as well!

@bmills284 Ай бұрын

I heard you say dont mix prefrozen batches with fresh batches but can you put cooked and uncooked food trays in the same load?

@jenniferschmitt7938 Жыл бұрын

When I freeze dry my frozen blueberries that has 30 or 40 needle-like Sticks on it. I use that on the blueberries just like I would a piece of steak. It will pierce all of the blueberries. I only do this when the blueberries are frozen because if you try to do it with the non-frozen it will mash them

@SuziesCornerInLove Жыл бұрын

I cannot picture what you're saying. I'm curiousthough.

@stacey7540 Жыл бұрын

@@SuziesCornerInLoveThey just mean to freeze the blueberries then take a meat tenderizer (one with the pins to poke meat) and poke the berries. This way the berries aren't mashed because they are frozen.

@genevievepresseault5108 10 ай бұрын

I freezed dried lime wedges a few days ago. I put them in a vacuum mason jar. But I took one and it’s sticky…can or should I put them back in the freeze dryer??

@patrickmiriamgallaher8698 2 ай бұрын

Since only one tray was incomplete and had to go back to the freeze dryer, do you have to add 4 more trays if something else or can you just continue drying with that one tray alone. Thanks for your wonderful videos.

@HomesteadingFamily 2 ай бұрын

You can run it with just the one tray if needed, for more time.

@SuziesCornerInLove Жыл бұрын

"Retired at 40" has a rolling brush that pricks the blueberries while in the tray. I don't remember what type of brush.

@tammynevil2422 2 ай бұрын

Can you make jelly from freeze dried fruit???

@Chill_6263 Жыл бұрын

Hi I was just curious what your settings were set to? The temp and dry time? Thank you

@michaelkatdonaldson9234 2 ай бұрын

I'd like to know also

@user-ow2cd2rs5d 21 күн бұрын

At what temperature do you set the freeze dryer?

@sister_num7516 5 ай бұрын

Thanks. I have fruit going in soon! Too have a creepy basement

@suzysuzannesuzy 3 ай бұрын

Transfer the blueberries to the tray with a fork. That will quickly move and pierce a bunch at a time.

@marniebryce8922 Жыл бұрын

We also have two freeze driers but have them spaced on either end of the room in our basement. We still struggle with too much heat in the room for the machines to work proper. Do you have air conditioning?

@melodyreeder9762 5 ай бұрын

Use a fan that blows on the freeze dryer

@JanineMJoi Жыл бұрын

They ARE LOUD. We freeze everything first, so it takes less time to freeze. Otherwise, it takes hours more to freeze dry

@lindasteenhuis2639 Жыл бұрын

Is it OK to put a mixture of freeze dried fruit together in a storage jar and then vacuum seal it?

@cathydavis9259 Жыл бұрын

Yes

@LibertyOrDeath7230 4 ай бұрын

Hows the texture of freeze dried smoothies?

@robingirven4570 Жыл бұрын

My son traded me 10 lbs of cherries for 1/2 gallons of FD strawberries today!! Lol Frozen Right has a tool that will poke all those in quick time!

@jonnaenck1570 3 ай бұрын

I just bought a freeze dryer. Do you have a link to pre-order your book?

@HomesteadingFamily 3 ай бұрын

Not yet, but we will let you know as soon as we do.

@nats6579 Жыл бұрын

What do you do with the berries once the jar is opened? Do you have to vacuum seal it again or add another fresh oxygen absorber each time you open them? If not, how long is it good for on the shelf?

@HomesteadingFamily Жыл бұрын

With the oxygen absorber, you can just close the jar again. If store out of direct light in a temperate area, they will store up to 25 years.

@rubyspencer6435 Жыл бұрын

How can i purchase your salves? I need some comfrey oil or salve but I want organic?

@HomesteadingFamily Жыл бұрын

We do not currently sell our salves. You can purchase the ingredients here: www.farmhouseteas.com/collections/salve-ingredients-homesteading-family

@motleydigger 5 ай бұрын

You can freeze dry using a regular freezer at the lowest temperature. I think people would find a video how to about that more useful.

@joyfulfootprints1174 Ай бұрын

That seems like it would be a different product - one that would still have moisture??

@motleydigger 28 күн бұрын

I do know it's possible if you get your deep freze to the right temperature

@user-jz5sl5ym6g Ай бұрын

Did you do 12 hours freeze 12 hour dry? Or 24 hour dry time?

@JVsNorthwoodsHomestead Жыл бұрын

QUESTION: About freeze drying temperature. Will the vitamins in freeze dried foods degrade at the pre-set 125°F, like they do with dehydrating? I'm currently freeze drying my first ever batch (after the moist bread) and I lowered the temperature to 115°F because I don't want vitamin loss but it's taking forever! Thoughts on this, please? Thanks in advance!

@VictoriaPerreault Жыл бұрын

No ma'am, they do not lose nutritional value like dehydrating. I am currently making baby food for our second Great Grandchild, and that is what her parents like about it; maintains it's nutrient dense state, is transportable without needing refrigeration, weighs less, can be rehydrated with water or formula, maintains it's color, and is all around better for the baby.

@JVsNorthwoodsHomestead Жыл бұрын

@@VictoriaPerreault Are you sure about that? Foods exposed to 120°F lose vitamins and vitamin C starts degrading at 86°F. I don't see how the vitamins are preserved in such high heat. Is it possible that maybe because the foods are frozen first and then exposed to the heat that they may be preserved? I find this topic really interesting to think about and I'll have to do more research! Thanks for your response!

@JVsNorthwoodsHomestead Жыл бұрын

I guess there's something that I'm missing about the freeze drying process because foods are frozen, then the drying process at a high temperature occurs but if the food isn't completely dried (as Carolyn's whole strawberries) it is still cold in the non-dried part! How is it still cold if exposed to 125°F temperatures for so long during the drying process?!?! Lol

@HomesteadingFamily Жыл бұрын

Freeze drying preserves 97% of the nutrients compared to other food preservation methods.

@1165slugman 3 ай бұрын

Herbs and anything your worried about i go to 90⁰ setting and dry a little longer. You don't have to end cycles at 120⁰.

@robingirven4570 Жыл бұрын

My freeze dryer doesn’t ask me if it’s pre-frozen or not. I’ve got sweet cherries, bananas and strawberries in the FD right now.

@susanjordan2130 10 ай бұрын

Mine niether

@jennbrooks3589 Жыл бұрын

Have you freeze dried butter?

@HomesteadingFamily Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately, you can't freeze dry butter due to its high fat content.

@SilverTopMom Жыл бұрын

I don't currently have fresh berries, I do however have large bags of frozen, individually packaged (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, ext.) that I bought on sale at our local store. They are 5 pound bags each and I picked up two bags each. I know it's going to take the entire freeze dryer per 10 pounds, What I'm wondering is, can I just add the frozen blueberries to the trays, or do they still need to be poked?

@EddieChadwick Жыл бұрын

Hello 👋

@stacey7540 Жыл бұрын

You need to poke them or blanch them like she showed in the video because you have a lot.

@SilverTopMom Жыл бұрын

@@stacey7540 Ok, but here's my question. These things are all blanched before they are frozen in most cases aren't they? Just trying to cover all bases.

@HomesteadingFamily Жыл бұрын

Blueberries, Elderberries, and Cranberries (and grapes): Wash and dry the berries. Then process them by either slicing them in half or piercing the skin with a toothpick. Or, quickly blanch them in boiling water, strain them, and allow them to dry.

@SilverTopMom Жыл бұрын

@@HomesteadingFamily Thank you!

@mzlibertyrose8586 11 ай бұрын

Can you freeze dry milk?

@HomesteadingFamily 11 ай бұрын

Yes! homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-freeze-milk/

@stephaniewilbur9748 Жыл бұрын

I envy the owners of freeze driers … and all those delicious freeze dried food! But for now as a single woman, I can’t see this being a worthwhile investment. I just wouldn’t need this kind of volume.

@melodyreeder9762 5 ай бұрын

You do need one if you want to save on your groceries . I'm sure you found out this past year that what you spent a month ago on food is now costing you higher prices, as well as you most likely noticed that there are food products that are not available on grocery store shelves . And if you have a garden you can now be able to preserve foods from your harvest. And with the possible war coming out the stores might be closed due to the grid going down. As well as you can freeze dry left overs and portion it out to eat later. One way to save is all your stores for soon to be out of date products that you can take home and freeze dry at a great savings , once food is freeze dried you have years on the shelf to eat that soon to be out of dated product that you extended the life on I got my freeze dryer and love it

@cathydavis9259 Жыл бұрын

FYI-mice will eat through the mylar bags. They need to be stored in a food grade plastic bucket with a lid. I had this happen to me. I love my freeze dryer but I'm having issues with vacuum error about every 3rd batch. Even after I defrost and clean it. I'm always calling Harvest Right for help. They keep sending me upgrades to download but the problem isn't fixed. Is anyone else having this issue.

@sherrywilbourn4605 Жыл бұрын

We just had the software update for that very reason...so far so good. We also put a gas valve on to replace the valve that came with it...recommended from watching you tube videos.

@melodyreeder9762 5 ай бұрын

I sent my machine back and they repaired the issue on that. Never had a problem after they fixed it .

@diannenutt5891 7 ай бұрын

Try putting liquid in bags ànd prefeeeze like that

@salemthorup9536 Жыл бұрын

I was told by someone that owns a freezedryer that raspberries and blackberries need to be punctured to be properly freeze dried. I think i also saw it on another channel. Do you have any idea why that's what a lot of people have been saying? Obviously your experience looks to be different.

@HomesteadingFamily Жыл бұрын

We talk more about freeze drying several types of berries here: homesteadingfamily.com/freeze-drying-berries-easy-snack-stores-for-years/