How is gumdrop made into freeze-dried candy
o create freeze-dried gummy candies, the process involves removing the water content from traditional gummy candies while retaining their shape, flavor, and texture. Here's how it is typically done:
Step-by-Step Process:
- Preparation: Begin by arranging the gummy candies on trays, ensuring they are evenly spaced. This allows the freeze-drying process to remove moisture uniformly.
- Freezing: The gummies are placed in a commercial-grade freezer or a freeze-dryer that lowers the temperature to extremely cold levels (typically around -40°C or lower). This causes the water in the gummies to freeze solid.
- Sublimation (Freeze-Drying): Once frozen, the gummies undergo sublimation inside a freeze-dryer. This process involves lowering the pressure within the chamber and gradually raising the temperature, causing the frozen water in the gummies to turn directly into vapor (bypassing the liquid stage). This removes most of the moisture without melting the gummies.
- Packaging: After freeze-drying, the gummies become crunchy and light, with a unique texture compared to their original chewy form. The finished freeze-dried gummies are then packaged in airtight containers to maintain their crispness and prevent moisture absorption.
Resulting Product:
- Texture: Freeze-dried gummies transform from chewy to crispy, creating a novel snack experience.
- Flavor: The flavors become more concentrated, giving a burst of sweetness with each bite.
- Lightweight: With the removal of water, the gummies become much lighter while maintaining their original shape.
Advantages:
- Extended Shelf Life: The removal of moisture significantly prolongs the shelf life of the gummies.
- Unique Snack Experience: The texture change offers a new, crunchy alternative to traditional gummy candies, appealing to adventurous snackers.
Freeze-dried gummies are becoming increasingly popular in the snack market due to their fun texture and concentrated flavors, offering consumers a novel twist on a familiar treat.