Great question - there is a BIG difference.
Our meals are 100% freeze-dried. Freeze-drying removes moisture through sublimation, NOT evaporation. The food is frozen at very low temperatures in a vacuum chamber, and the frozen water turns to vapour without going through the liquid phase. The food maintains its shape like it’s frozen in time, and the moisture is removed. Our meals also rehydrate much more quickly (5 mins) because the food maintains its structure and just sucks up the water, and they return to their original texture when prepared. Freeze-drying also maintains the vast majority of nutrients and vitamins, and can achieve a lower moisture content which makes it more lightweight.
In contrast, dehydration involves applying heat and steady airflow to evaporate the water. The food shrinks and can become hard and tough, and can be chewy after rehydration. Rehydration also takes much longer (10-30 mins), and the heat used in the process creates a greater loss of nutrients.
Freeze-drying is a longer process and takes more time to dry. But good things take time, and we’re putting in the extra effort to bring you a premium product.
If you’ve tried dehydrated meals before and weren’t a fan, you’re going to want to give our freeze-dried Feasts a try. We eat these even when we’re not in the backcountry because they’re that good, and super convenient.