How Long Can Freeze-Dried Fruit Last on the Shelf?
Freeze-dried fruit can last between 10 to 25 years when stored properly. The exact shelf life of freeze-dried food (including fruit) depends on a variety of factors like the type of fruit, storage conditions, and packaging methods.
The process of freeze-drying fruit removes most of the water content from the fruit & that’s what significantly extends its shelf life. That’s because doing so prevents microbial growth and limits enzyme activity that causes the oh-too-familiar signs of spoilage.
Proper storage in airtight containers (or paired with oxygen absorbers in some cases) can further extend it. And keeping the freeze dried fruit in a cool, dark place can help retain its quality and add to its longevity.
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Freeze drying is one of the up & coming food preservation methods these days. For good reason too.
The freeze drying process extends the shelf life of food while retaining most of the fruit’s nutritional value & flavor. And this is what we want!
The end result isn’t much different from the more familiar dehydration process you might be used to. But lemme simplify this real quick.
The Spark Notes version of the Freeze Drying Process
The process of freeze drying food products like ripe fruit or even ice cream goes like this.
The excess water in the food is removed within a vacuum chamber by a vacuum pump. Leaving you with the same flavor & all, but a very dry food which differs in terms of texture.
Dry time varies for each food, but the chemical reactions taking place to remove that water leave food crispy. Snap, crackle crispy (usually, but not always).
The food may not shrink significantly (unless it’s liquid to begin with), but it will take up less space than it’s fresh counterpart.
Liquids reduce significantly – so much that a whole gallon of freeze-dried milk can fit into a half-gallon jar with room to spare. In fact, so so much so that I freeze dried 1400oz of my own breastmilk fit into a 5gal bucket with room to spare. 😳 Ask me how I know.
And that’s one reason I love freeze-dried products – because it’s a better way to pack a lot more in the same amount of space. And who says you have to stop with the fruit? Girl, freeze-dried vegetables, dairy products, even full meals work well in here!
In some cases all that fresh food you run through a home freeze dryer will retain its texture when rehydrated. So that’s great because unlike fresh fruit & other fresh produce, freeze-dried fruit is a shelf-stable food that can last for many years.
But you wanna know how long freeze-dried fruit lasts right so you can stock up at grocery stores & markets. I got you! Whether you freeze-dry fruit for everyday convenience, emergency preparedness, long term storage or to reduce food waste, here’s the scoop on self-life.
Factors Affecting Shelf Life of Freeze-Dried Fruit
First up, the shelf life of freeze-dried fruit varies widely but typically you’ll find most fruits range from 10 to 25 years.
Several factors influence the shelf life of fruit:
- Type of Fruit: Different foods have varying levels of natural sugars, acids, and moisture, which can affect how long they last after freeze-drying. For example, freeze-dried apples might last longer than freeze-dried strawberries due to their lower moisture content. We’ve processed both & while they both snapped brilliantly right after running, the strawberries did seem to pick up moisture sooner than the apples. (You’ll know freeze dried food has picked up moisture because it will lose that snapping effect when broken in half. It will be slightly pliable/bendable instead.)
- Storage Conditions: The environment where the freeze-dried fruit is stored plays a significant role too. Ideal conditions include a cool, dark, and dry place. High temperatures, humidity, and exposure to light or direct sunlight can degrade the quality of your food over time and shorten the shelf life. Storing freeze-dried fruit at room temperature in a dark place is usually the best option. (It’s a good idea to apply these same conditions to most foods you want to store long term for the best results.) A dry location such as a pantry or a basement is a good place for long-term food storage.
- Packaging Methods: Proper packaging is essential too. You need a moisture and oxygen barrier from reaching the fruit. Using airtight containers, oxygen absorbers, and vacuum sealers can significantly extend the shelf life. Don’t use plastic bags as your primary packaging; they will leak air & cause spoiling. I highly recommend using Wallaby Goods Mylar bags.The best way to store your freeze-dried fruit in glass jars (if this sounds like something you’d do because come on…it’s pretty!!!) be sure to pair this with a vacuum sealer.
Typical Shelf Life of Freeze-Dried Fruits (by fruit)
So what you process won’t come with an industry regulated expiration date meaning you need to apply one. I always use a good sniff test – visual cues & sometimes a taste test too before eating anything that’s been sitting awhile.
But in lieu of those things, here’s some general guidelines by food type that you can apply.
| Fruit / Type | General Storage Duration (years)* |
|---|---|
| Berries Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries | 10-15 |
| Stone Fruits Peaches, Apricots, Plums, Cherries | 10-15 (it’s recommended to remove stones/pits before processing |
| Tropical Fruits Mangoes, Pineapple, Bananas, Papaya | 10-15 |
| Apples & Pears | Apples: 20-30 Pears: 10-20 |
| Citrus Oranges, Lemons, Limes | 10-15 |
| Melon Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Honeydew | 10-15 |
| Grapes (raisins) | 10-15 |
| Mixed Fruits | varies, generally 10-15 |
| Exotics** Avocado, Coconut | 5-10 |
| Tomatoes | 10-20 |
* Now, all these durations assume optimal storage conditions and proper packaging so don’t skimp on that or you’ll be looking at 10-25 hours, hello.
** Specialty or exotic fruits like avocado & coconut may not last as long as other fruits due to their high fat content. However, we have freeze dried avocado that is still as delicious as the fresh component going on 3 years now. I’ll let you know what we discover in a few years.
Proper Storage Techniques for Freeze Dried Fruit
To maximize the shelf life of freeze-dried fruit, follow these storage techniques:
- Choosing the Right Containers: Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, mason jars with tight seals, and vacuum-sealed bags are excellent options for storing freeze-dried fruit. These containers help keep out moisture and oxygen, ensuring the fruit remains in its best quality. And this is what you need. I’ve written about the differences in Mylar bags to help you out, but my preference is Wallaby Goods 5mil bags for just about everything. (Use code CLAIRE5 for $5 off any order). Also consider secondary containers for added protection against things like pests, pets, rodents, etc.
- Using Oxygen Absorbers: Including oxygen absorbers in your storage containers helps remove any residual oxygen, which can cause spoilage and degrade the fruit’s quality over time. But remember, air is only a fraction Oxygen. The other components will remain. This would explain why if you use a bag of some kind it doesn’t fully shrink to the form of the food inside
- Proper labeling: Given that the best storage containers will not be transparent, you’ll definitely need good label systems for your food. At a minimum, list the name of the item & month/year you stored it (or it’s expiration date if provided). It’s also a good idea to keep tabs on this info in a kitchen logbook. Additional info you might capture could include an estimate on how much is in a container (# cups, # of servings, etc.). The name & location where it was purchased or grown. Within a logbook, I recommend capturing the unit price (the $ value per Wt. value). This is especially helpful to compare future purchases against – especially if you don’t buy that item regularly.
Extra Ways to Insure Your Stored Fruit
This isn’t necessary to storing exactly, but I recommend the practice to every freeze drying family. Reserve a small portion from each run of your freeze dried food as a sample. Store this in a small mylar bag (with an oxygen absorber) & preferably a window. Seeing the contents will help you identify any issues with that run & give you reason to pull a batch off the shelf to check.
Others recommend doing annual checks on all your freeze dried foods for longevity. This would mean, opening each bag to check it’s contents are still in perfect condition as when it was packaged. Check the oxygen absorber is also still in optimal condition then reseal the bag appropriately. Perhaps label when it was last checked for your records.
Try running your own long-term study to see how long freeze dried fruit last by doing one of these two methods! It’d be great to do with kids.
Signs of Spoilage in Freeze-Dried Fruit
Even with the best storage practices, it’s essential to know the signs of spoilage. After all, we want to be eating real foods right? Like ancestors from ancient civilizations we also just want to prepare for the off-season.
- Visual Signs: Look for any color changes or the presence of mold, jiggly, wiggly, furry things that shouldn’t be there…
- Texture Changes: If the fruit becomes excessively brittle or soggy, it may be spoiled. Properly freeze-dried fruit should retain an intense fruit flavor and crisp texture.
- Off Smells or Flavors: A sour or off smell (and certainly taste if you’re brave enough to do it) are clear indicators that the freeze-dried fruit has gone bad. I’d take some Vitamin C afterwards if I ate some that was bad.
Benefits of Long Shelf Life
The extended shelf life of freeze-dried fruit offers numerous benefits:
- Convenience: Freeze-dried fruit is a quick and easy snack or ingredient for various recipes, saving time in meal preparation. It’s a great way to enjoy nutritious, shelf-stable fruit without the hassle of spoilage.
- Emergency Preparedness: Having a stock of freeze-dried fruit ensures you have nutritious food available during emergencies. It’s a great option for emergency food storage due to its long shelf life and compact storage requirements.
- Reduced Food Waste: Long shelf life reduces the likelihood of spoilage, minimizing food waste and making it a cost-effective option. This makes freeze-dried fruit a great addition to your pantry for both everyday use and long-term storage.
Some FAQS
Yes! Just be sure you follow optimal storage conditions & use high-quality packaging materials like Wallaby mylar bags or glass jar containers & a food-safe vacuum sealer. This is what’s going to help you seal the deal so that your freeze-dried fruit reaches its maximum shelf life potential.
Freeze-dried fruit typically lasts longer than dehydrated foods because the freeze-drying process removes more water vapor. That reduces the risk of spoilage. Dehydrated products on the other hand retain some of that moisture in the whole fruit so it has a shorter shelf life. You will notice the difference in something like jerky (which is dehydrated yet still is pliable) and freeze-dried fruits or candies (which are often crisp like potato chips).
Rehydrate freeze dried fruit by soaking it in a bit of water for several minutes or adding it directly to recipes where it can absorb moisture. This process helps the fruit return to its original state & be just as scrumdidlyumptious as it was fresh!
*Do note that using freeze dried fruit in recipes could result in the overall recipe being drier than usual because of the reconstitution. If a recipe does not call for freeze dried food or otherwise account for this moisture loss, you will need to add more liquids in a trial & error manner. OR reconstitute the fruit before using in the recipe.*
Apples, berries (strawberries, blueberries), bananas & peaches are excellent choices for freeze drying due to their flavor retention & texture. These have also been great hits with my family. These fruits maintain their nutritional value & are a delicious, portable yet healthy snack option for on the go.
Tropical fruits like mango & avocado (even watermelon) are often not as successful though they are still quite delicious.
It’s not necessary to do this. And though I’ve never done it, my theory is that storing freeze dried fruit in the refrigerator or freezer would limit the shelf life because of condensation. These foods are ultra-sensitive to any level of moisture and while the environment will be dark & cool (mostly), the moisture factor could spoil the fruit during storage.
Beyond the science of freeze drying (remove water to the uttermost from food) each fruit has unique properties that help it store for long periods of time.
Berries are small but their surface area allows them to freeze dry really thoroughly. Bananas have a high sugar content that helps them preserve well. (Yes, sugar can be a preservative!)
Apples have a decent sugar/fiber content makeup & when considering something like pineapples, their acidity helps preserve them.
Yes, of course! Freeze dried fruit is an incredibly yummy snack. Use it as a topping on desserts or crush it into powders & sprinkle into smoothies.
Or you might prefer to rehydrate / reconstitute your freeze dried fruit.
So with the proper storage techniques, you can enjoy the benefits of freeze-dried fruit for years to come & it doesn’t matter if you don’t have much food or you go ahead & run the whole fruit bowl through the unit. You’re gonna be able to enjoy a much longer shelf life.
