: Unique among most substances, water expands when it freezes, which can lead to practical issues like frozen and burst water pipes . 2. Freeze-Drying Technology
: Used for stabilizing vaccines , proteins, and antibiotics. Freeze
Freeze-drying, or , is a sophisticated method used to preserve high-value items while maintaining their original structure and nutrition. : Unique among most substances, water expands when
: Whole tomatoes (for cooking), ginger, garlic, wine, nuts, and even pizza dough. Freeze-drying, or , is a sophisticated method used
: It removes water through sublimation —turning ice directly into vapor without it ever becoming liquid. Critical Phases : The process involves three main stages:
: While freeze-drying extends shelf life by lowering water activity to below 0.85, it does not kill bacteria ; microorganisms simply go dormant and can reactivate if moisture is added back. 3. Food Preservation & Storage
: For summer fruits like berries, lay them out on a tray to freeze individually before placing them in a bag to prevent them from sticking together. 4. Industry Applications