The Sweet Science of Freeze-Drying Candy
Candy lovers are always looking for ways in which they get to enjoy the latest and most exciting forms of their favorite sweet treats. Over the recent past, one such new way of enjoying candies is freeze-drying candy. Freeze-drying primarily serves to maintain the flavor and texture of the candy while removing a good part of the moisture therein. In this complete guide, we will focus deeply on freeze-dried candy, why it's a most outstanding option for each and every fudge enthusiast out there, and exactly how to do it at home—without the use of any high-cost equipment.
What is Freeze-Dried Candy?
Freeze-drying, otherwise known as lyophilization, is one process of food preservation whereby the product is first frozen and then the ice crystals are removed through sublimation. Sublimation is the process of changing ice directly into vapor without going through the liquid phase. This has been applied in several food industries and the purpose is to enhance shelf life while retaining flavor and nutritional values.
In candy freeze-drying, the candy is first frozen before placing it in a vacuum chamber, often using a freeze dryer for candy. While in a vacuum, the water, which is frozen inside the candy, sublimates to give a crunchy, airy, and freeze-dried version of the former treat. This will provide a light, crunchy candy that still tastes, looks, and appears like it should.
Why Freeze-Dry Candy?
Here is what Freeze-Dried Candy offers in benefits that have made it an all-time favorite amongst candy lovers:
Intense Flavor: The process of freeze-drying helps maintain the original flavors of the candy that are not subjected to additives and preservatives. Moisture is absent in this case, hence increasing its flavor.
Extended Shelf Life: Freeze-drying removes moisture—the most primary factor that attributes to perishable food. Thus, the shelf life is longer compared to regular candy.
Lightweight and Portable: Freeze-dried candy is lightweight and not messy, so it's perfect for camping or on-the-way snacking.
Unique Texture: Freeze-drying gives a sort of airiness to the candy when bitten into, providing a variety of satisfying crunches.
Nutrient Loss at a Minimum: Compared to conventional methods of processing for candy, freeze-drying retains more of its nutritional content.
What Kinds of Candies Can Be Freeze-Dried?
Not only does freeze-dried candy make for a great snack, but this is also the kind of treat that works well with an array of different candy types. Here are some popular choices for freeze-drying:
Fruit-Flavored Candies: Gummy bears, fruit chews, and fruit snacks all freeze-dry well. Their color POPs become even more vibrant in color while flavors can be exceptional. For instance, freeze-dried Skittles flavors have a real pop of fruity flavor with each bite.
Chocolate Candies: Any chocolate-covered candies, including M&M's and chocolate bars, freeze-dry into a new and crunchy chocolate treat.
Hard Candy: Hard candies like Lollipops and Jolly Ranchers change from apparently jawbreaker in texture to light and crunchy.
Chamoy Candy: These freeze-dry really well, and the flavors turn out very intense in sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and spiciness.
Sour Candies: Sour gummies and hard candies stay sour and crunchy. The puckering sourness of the candy is enhanced.
Taffy: It turns into an airy, crunchy snack when freeze-dried—very much the opposite of its chewy self.
Gummies: Gummies retain their flavors really well but now come coated in a delicious crunch.
Dry Ice vs. Freeze Drying Machine
But before we get into the how-to process of freeze-drying candy without a machine, let's cover the alternatives. Yogin has two primary methods to do DIY freeze-drying at home: dry ice and freeze-drying machines.
Dry Ice Method
Freeze-drying candy with dry ice is more accessible and budget-friendly out of the two. This is basically how it works:
Preparation: Place your candy on a tray or cooling rack; they need to be spread out pretty well.
Freezing: Pound dry ice down into small bits and place it at the bottom of an impressively insulated cooler or a Styrofoam container.
Setting the Candy: Place the tray filled with the candy above the placed dry ice. The tray with the candy on it should not touch the dry ice directly. Shut the container nearly all the way at the top so that air may easily let out.
Wait and Observe: Let the candy remain in the container for quite a number of hours or overnight. Take out the candy from the container once it looks freeze-dried.
This method is effective when dealing with small batches of candy and is the best way for anyone starting to make candies.
Freeze-Drying Machine
Above that, freeze-drying machines are somewhat costly and very effective, especially when you're dealing with large candy batches. A machine like this completely entrusts you with the freeze-drying process and helps you get results that are uniform with ease. In case you have the freeze-dried candy machine at your disposal, use it by following the manufacturer's directions for freeze-drying candy.
How to Freeze-Dry Candy Without a Machine
Now, let us discuss the steps involved in freeze-drying candy without a machine at home using the dry ice method:
Ingredients You Will Need
- Candy of your choice
- Dry ice. Available usually at grocery stores or the people who sell ice to you.
- Styrofoam cooler or well-insulated container with a lid
- Cooling rack or tray
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Oven mitts
- Tongs
- Good ventilation or an outdoor space
The Freeze-Drying Process
Prepares the Candy: Using your cooling rack or tray lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, prepare your favorite candies. Leave some space between each so they freeze dry evenly.
Crush the Dry Ice: Put on the gloves and safety goggles and crush the dry ice into small pea-sized pieces using a hammer or mallet.
Container Setup: Place the crushed dry ice at the bottom of the Styrofoam cooler or well-insulated container, forming a uniform layer.
Position the Candy: Carefully place a rack or tray with your filled candy over your dry ice, being careful not to allow the candy to touch the dry ice. Seal the container, but allow just a little opening at the top for the air to release.
Wait and Observe: Allow this candy to sit in the container for several hours-overnight. Monitor the process to really make sure that this candy is freeze-drying appropriately. If it is, then you will notice that the candy has become lighter and more porous while losing moisture.
Remove and Enjoy: Once the candy is freeze-dried to your liking, this might take around 12-24 hours, remove it from the container with tongs or oven mitts. Take out the freeze-dried candy and store it in an airtight container for storing.
Seal and Store: Store your homemade freeze-dried candy in an airtight container so that the crunch of the candy and the taste remain intact. Take out these peculiar crunchy treats anytime you want and enjoy them!
Learn More about the Fine Art of Freeze-Dried Candy
Though relatively easy and self-rewarding, freeze-dried candy is just about satisfying the urge to indulge in sweet favorites in a completely new form. Whether you choose dry ice or make the investment in an actual freeze dryer, your end product will be the same: crunchy, flavorful, and still holding onto the real essence of your favorite candies. With this step-by-step guide, take your interest in freeze-drying to a different level by making some delicious freeze-dried candy right in your kitchen, sure to delight any taste buds and wow buddies around. You can garner supplies for this amazing treat by exploring either your local candy shop or other forms of candy locations, or even try making freeze-dried candy at home.
Happy freeze-drying!