Table of Contents
Holy Cheeseboard! You love cheese. You dream of cheese. You live for cheese. In fact, if you were to find yourself in a life-or-death scenario (or even just a snowed-in weekend), you'd rather brave the wilds than face it without cheese. And we're not talking about one kind of cheese. No, no, no. We're talking cheddars, mozzarellas, brie, jacks, cream cheese, even the all-mighty bleu cheese. You're mad about cheese, and who could blame you? It's fantastic! Cheese is not just your culinary delight; it's a critical part of your food storage.
Why you might ask? Apart from the fact that cheese is delicious, it's a high-calorie food that could come in handy in a dire situation, and freeze drying cheese means you can keep it for longer. Just imagine the joy of smothering your freeze dried burritos, veggies, or even your omelets with deliciously reconstituted freeze dried cheese. Is your mouth watering yet? Let's get cheesy!
What on Earth is Freeze Dried Cheese?
Short answer: a slice of paradise! But if you need a more scientific explanation, freeze dried cheese is cheese that has had all its moisture removed through lyophilization. Now, regular cheese can only last about six months in the freezer, or even less in the fridge. But let's face it, we cheese enthusiasts need our cheese to last way longer than that. Enter freeze dried cheese - your answer to long-term cheesy goodness!
How Long Can We Expect Freeze Dried Cheese to Last?
Well, let's just say it's like the Energizer bunny of cheeses; it keeps going and going. From personal experience, freeze dried cheese is still rocking it even after five years. Of course, the actual shelf-life may vary based on the type of cheese, how it's stored and prepared, and how long it's already been in storage. Nevertheless, we're talking about half a decade here, folks! Isn't that a cheesy dream come true?
Preparing Your Cheese for the Big Freeze
Before you freeze dry cheese, consider the form you want it to take. For most culinary adventures, shredded cheese is king. It's great for topping your freeze dried burritos, veggies, and omelets. But if you're looking for a snack-on-the-go, cheese cubes are your best bet. Let's be honest, who doesn't love a good cheese cube?
Preparation is straightforward. Just shred or cube your cheese, lay it out on your trays, and let the freeze drying process do its magic. For the sake of completeness, here's a picture of some finely shredded cheddar, all ready for freeze drying. Looks tempting, doesn't it?
How Much Cheese Can You Freeze Dry at Once?
If you're a true cheese lover, you're probably thinking, "how much cheese can I stuff into the freeze dryer?" A valid question, indeed! Well, depending on the size of your freeze dryer, you can comfortably fit about 1-3 lbs per tray. Of course, you wouldn't want to stuff your trays like a Thanksgiving turkey, just load them up evenly.
How Do You Know Your Cheese is Done Freeze Drying?
A good indicator that your cheese is ready is when it starts looking like it just came back from a vacation in the Sahara – dry and crusty. Picture this: sharp cheddar cheese cubes looking like they've taken on a new identity as marbled Monterey Jack cheese. That's your cue to celebrate!
What Kind of Cheese Can You Freeze Dry?
This is where things get really exciting. Imagine freeze drying cream cheese, or sour cream, or cottage cheese. Yes, you can! Can you freeze dry cream cheese? You bet! They all turn out splendidly when freeze dried.
And it's not just limited to cream-based cheeses. You can freeze dry pre-shredded cheese from your favorite bulk store or go the extra mile and shred or cube blocks of cheese yourself. In terms of flavor and texture, nothing beats the cheese you prepare yourself. Tillamook, for instance, is a fan favorite. And guess what, freeze drying transforms it into a thing of beauty.
Let's talk about a Fiesta cheese mix. This blend freeze dries wonderfully and stores with ease. Those tiny shreds of cheese create more room in your storage bags, and you can almost fit an entire tray's worth into one quart mylar bag. Efficiency at its finest, right?
How to Freeze Dry Cheese?
You might think that freeze drying cheese at home requires some fancy culinary skills or expensive equipment. Not at all! The folks at Harvest Right have made the process incredibly easy with their home freeze-drying machines. All the hard work – freezing and drying – is done by the machine. All you need to do is prep the cheese and package it once it's done. Simple!
Let's talk process for a moment. The freeze-drying machine freezes your cheese-loaded trays to -41 degrees (or lower) over about 10 hours. Then a vacuum pump kicks in, creating a vacuum inside the drum. This is the drying stage, and it involves the machine heating and cooling the trays to help the frozen cheese release water in vapor form. The vacuum draws this moisture out to the drum, where it collects as ice. And voila! Your freeze dried cheese is ready for packaging.
What Settings Should You Use to Freeze Dry Cheese?
Regardless of the size of your Harvest Right freeze dryer, the settings remain the same. Simply place your trays inside the drum, cover it, lock it, and then select START > LIQUID > NOT-FROZEN > CONTINUE on the computer touchscreen. Then let your freeze dryer work its magic.
Questions You've Been Dying to Ask About Freeze Drying Cheese
How long does it take to freeze dry cheese? Truth be told, the duration varies depending on many factors, including humidity and the form of your cheese. But on average, it takes about 36 hours.
What's the best way to store freeze dried cheese? Whether you prefer mylar bags or mason jars, as long as your cheese is fully freeze dried and stored in an airtight, lightless container with an O2 absorber, you're good to go.
How do you reconstitute freeze dried cheese? There are countless ways to do this, but the simplest is to include it in your dishes and let the moisture from other foods reconstitute the cheese. Try this in lasagna, omelets, soups, casseroles, and more.
Now you're ready to embark on the adventure of freeze drying cheese! But remember, the best freeze dried mac and cheese comes from the heart. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your favorite block of cheddar or mozzarella, and let's get freeze drying! And when you're ready to try something new, why not try freeze dried shredded cheese, freeze dried cheese powder, freeze dried cheese cubes, or even freeze dried cream cheese? The possibilities are as endless as your love for cheese.
Can you eat freeze dried cheese directly? Of course, you can! Not only is freeze dried cheese delicious right out of the bag, but it also makes an excellent snack on its own. You'll find yourself reaching for those cheesy bites when the midday hunger pangs hit. Remember, freeze dried cheese cubes are an easy, quick snack that will make you feel like a culinary whiz kid! Just don't blame us when you can't stop snacking.
The Secret's in the Cheese
There's no denying it - cheese makes everything better. And freeze dried cheese? That's just a game-changer. Not only does it last longer than regular cheese, but it also retains its flavor and nutritional value.
Now, aren't you glad you asked, "can you freeze dry cheese?" So next time you make that burrito or omelet, don't forget to sprinkle it with some of your freeze dried cheese. And when you see the smile on your face in the mirror, remember, it's not just cheese, it's the magic of freeze dried cheese. And that, dear cheese aficionado, is priceless.
In conclusion, freeze drying cheese isn't just an act; it's a lifestyle. It's the embodiment of your love for all things cheesy. And the best part? The joy of knowing that no matter what happens, whether it's a blizzard or a zombie apocalypse, you'll always have cheese in your pantry.
So, go forth and freeze dry! Let every cube, shred, or slice of cheese be a testament to your cheese-loving spirit. Just remember to keep it cool (literally!), dry, and locked away from prying fingers. After all, you wouldn't want to share your freeze dried treasure trove with anyone, would you? Except maybe a fellow cheese lover, because we cheese enthusiasts stick together, right?
