Introduction to Caramel M&M's
Everyone loves M’s! These delicious chocolate candies, especially the caramel version, share with the world their sweet, milky and chewy structure. But there is something even better that can make the experience of eating such a traditional candy even more enjoyable. And this is none other than the freeze-drying process.
The Science of Freeze-Drying
The Freeze-Drying Process
The science of freeze-drying, or lyophilisation, is very old – first applied to medicine, it is now ubiquitous in food but little noticed by us. We know that it is freeze-dried when we see skimmed-milk powder, or the black gritty stuff that is instant coffee. It is a three-stage process. The item being dried is first frozen, to form tiny ice crystals in the food. Next, the pressure is reduced and the ice is warmed into steam, hence sublimation.
How Freeze-Drying Affects Food
When food is freeze-dried, the texture almost always will change, although not always to make it crunchy or puffy. Freeze-dried food will retain their nutrient levels, and in some cases, its flavours will be more intense. It might be an unusual eating experience.
The Journey to Freeze-Dried Caramel M&M's
The Making of Freeze-Dried Caramel M&M's
Using this innovative technique of freeze-drying, having a Caramel M&M's suddenly has metamorphosed from a sweet lasting confectionary candy into a different kind of fun and delicious sweet snack. the freeze-drying technology has made these candies into a fun texture to crunch, making it an incredibly irresistable cracker.
Flavor Profile of Freeze-Dried Caramel M&M's
The caramel turns nutty and the chocolate has a gloriously rough snap. It is quite possibly the most moreish mix of flavours you can imagine.
Healthy Snacks: A New Perspective
Nutritional Value of Freeze-Dried Snacks
Does candies really deserve the label ‘healthy’? Sure, but bear in mind that when we’re talking about freeze-drying, we’re talking about a dehydration method that retains (almost all) the nutritive value of the food. Candy Caramel M’s will not substitute your Caesar Salad, but if you have a craving for something sweet you might as well.
Snack Time Reinvented: Why Choose Freeze-Dried
Caramel M and M’s for example become lighter, more portable and with a longer shelf life Freeze-drying is also useful in providing a crunch factor if you consider snacking to be limited to a certain texture: why would one not add crunchy components to their snacks if such a remedy is available?
Comparing Caramel M&M's: Freeze-Dried vs. Regular
Taste Comparison
Now these aren’t regular Caramel M’Ms, but caramel M’Ms that were freeze dried and I don’t know, there’s just something so fun and exciting about what it was like, I absolutely love caramels, I love these caramel M’Ms but it’s, it’s something, it’s a totally different experience, a totally different taste, that you have to have.
Nutritional Comparison
The nutritional information remains virtually identical with the regular and the freeze-dried versions but, because of the expanded nature of the freeze-dried product and its crunchy texture, an M M or two can be more satisfying than one of the same flavour and sugar content.
Why Caramel M&M's Make Great Freeze-Dried Candy
While I’m sure every type of M M’s would make for a fine freeze-dried candy, it seems like the complexity of caramel M M’s makes them particularly good candidates. Each ball combines the structure of hard candy shell with the creaminess of chocolate and the gooey nature of caramel. Chomp on a handful, and the textures distract you from the fact that you’re eating something that’s been in storage since Earth’s relative youth.
Conclusion
Packets of freeze-dried Caramel M M’s show how dedicated innovation can transform classic snacks, refreshing your appreciation for an old favorite. If you’re an M M’s fan, a fan of freeze-dried candies or just a fan of trying new, interesting snacks, pick up these freeze-dried treats. They might just be your new favourite snack.
FAQs
And what are the taste changes brought about by freeze-drying?
You try to remember when you last ate freeze-dried chocolate: does that clinch it for you?Since freeze-drying preserves the taste of food, it does not, as is commonly thought, remove the flavour. Rather, freeze-drying isolates the flavours. There are two reasons why foods lose taste when freeze-dried: firstly, air contaminates the food; secondly, the pores created by the sublimation process enable the tastes to escape. Despite these instances, freeze-drying also concentrates and enhances taste: freeze-dried chocolate is brittle and snaps, the caramel is more intense.
Are freeze-dried Caramel M M’s better for you than regular Caramel M’s?
The nutritional content is nearly identical. But the freeze-drying process use no other additives or preservatives, and they can actually be more gratifying than their puffy and crunchy counterparts.
Is there a mail order company where I can get freeze-dried Caramel M’Ms?
You can purchase freeze-dried Caramel M’Ms from online retailers and possibly from specialty food stores or candy shops that offer freeze-dried candies.
Can I make freeze-dried Caramel M&M's at home?
Do you have a freeze dryer? They're extremely expensive. If you do, give it a shot.
Why are Caramel M ⓒ Ms especially amenable to this process?
The firm coating of hard candy and gooey caramel coat this product, which is also made with milk chocolate, making the freeze-dried version an unlikely but multi-textured snack.
