Are Freeze Drying Mushrooms Worth Doing?

[@BethFerrier]

I love the comparison of dehydrating/freeze drying. After a lot of thought (okay, agonizing), and saving up for a couple of years, I've just bought a freeze dryer. It's a big purchase and I vacillate between buyer's remorse and giddy glee. Two runs in, and I think I might be won over. Looking forward to even more freeze drying content.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

It is a big investment and a little daunting! But I'm so glad I have mine just for the proteins alone!

[@PatsyMellen]

We just purchased a freeze dryer and can’t wait for it to arrive. I want to do shredded zucchini. But would love mushrooms on hand. I never have them when I need them. Good luck with yours.

[@tammynevil7852]

I got a vacuum sealer as a gift from a friend, I LOVE IT!!!!

[@jenmag0313]

Thanks for explaining and showing us difference between dehydrating and freeze-dried mushrooms.

[@mamabearj1564]

Thank you for the information. I'm dehydrating raspberry leaf, spearmint and lavender right now.

[@carolf2381]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@StacieKubick]

Slightly cooked in dehydrator. Thanks for this video. I’m harvesting shiitake right now and wasn’t sure what to do. Freeze dryer it is. Thank you :)

[@Mel-vu9ss]

I have a freeze dryer and appreciate this content.

[@PatDoolittle]

I love dehydrated mushrooms. Maybe someday I'll have a freeze dryer. Thanks for sharing and comparing.

[@eviemartin1756]

I have strawberries, I prepare the strawberries for preserves and dehydratevthe tops for tea. So many medicinal benefits in the strawberry greens.

[@bbrhody831]

I love freeze drying sliced mushrooms!

[@AndrewDewees-g7h]

I have a freeze dryer works great

[@PDXTundra]

I’ve been binge watching your channel. I’ve determined you need another million subscribers. You have truly great content here and your website is also great. Thanks!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Wow, thank you!

[@tinykitchenbigflavor7142]

I have been binge watching your channel as well! My husband ordered me dehydrator expected to arrive today. I can’t tell you how happy I am I found your channel is the first one I saw while researching all about hydrating foods I was hooked once I viewed the first video on cosori dyhidator safe me a huge amount of time of researching! I have tons of things to do, however I can’t seem to pull myself away from binge watching all your videos!!

[@jcrich-ho9ot]

Thank you for the comparison between the dehydrated and the freeze dried. That was information I needed. You are my reliable, go-to person for my food storage needs!

[@karensullivan9295]

Just subscribed. How did I miss this. 🎉🎉🎉

[@marcfruchtman9473]

Thanks for the video. I totally agree with the idea of storing things in a glass jar from a "visual" perspective. Vacuum sealing should be good as long as the vacuum is maintained. That should also remove the necessity of an oxygen absorber. But is there some other reason why you don't "like" the oxygen absorbers?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Because I don't like to have to mess with them. And because we use our food instead of just storing it up - I have to replace it every time. Why waste that money when a vacuum sealer works just as well.

[@gracehillgranny5445]

I've learned that I only like dehydrated mushrooms turned into powder. I don't have a freeze dryer, but it certainly looks like a better option.

[@ramohino]

No, it’s well documented freezing mushrooms screws them up. That’s what the freezer does it first freezes them and then it dehydrates them with vacuum and heat and freezing at the same time.

[@crystalcurtis3771]

I’m so far behind! Glad to be catching up though 😉. You can’t sauté them in oil if you want to maintain their shelf life, but if you’d like that deeper flavor that dehydrating gives the mushrooms, try simmering them pre-freeze drying in as little water as you can get away with. I do that with both mushrooms and onions for flavor variations. It’s an easy option and the results are delicious. 😋

[@paulalarsen7697]

I would love to own a freeze dryer and one day I will. I just don't know how close that day is to today. Or tomorrow. Or the next day...

[@moms7201]

Darcie can you show me how to rehydrate and use my dehydrated foods. I would like to be able to use them in other ways besides soup. Thanks in advance 😊❤

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I showed you how to rehydrate the mushrooms in this video - and then you would simply use them as fresh...saute them, throw them into anything you cook, etc. I try to do it at the end of most of my videos. I give recipes here which you can find in my Playlist and here's a quick tutorial on how to rehydrate: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j36YiJiEZ85kfa8si=91x0ZVKZgF6-OZXr Think of them as ingredients that can be used in anything -- not necessarily as their own side dish, but as an ingredient in casseroles, stovetop meals, soups, stews, etc.

[@marygallagher3428]

FD mushrooms are great!

[@AngelaM-y4e]

Hello, it can get confusing when looking at videos from different channels. One i watched wanted to have the mushrooms steamed before either method. I do not have a freeze drier so the dehydrated method for would be the only option for me. I guess one just has to try the different methods to see which one works for them. Thank you so much for sharing and i love the idea of having mushroom powder. Have a wonderful day.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Steaming is not necessary.

[@GypsySoulSister]

My peeps (think they)don't care for dehydrated mushrooms, but beggars can't be choosers.😅 If i break them up into small pieces, like in sauces, they are none the wiser 🤫

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

That's why I use that chopper to make the smaller pieces - definitely helps the texture for me. But we use powder more than anything.

[@tinykitchenbigflavor7142]

Would you have to have a video on dehydrating figs I have fig trees, and I really want to dehydrate those, but I’ve never dehydrated in my life as you can see from the comment prior to this one this will be my first dehydrating experience!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Unfortunately, I don't! I don't have fig trees and little access to them where I am, so haven't done one. Split them in half for small ones, quarters for large ones, dry at 135F/57C until they are dry!

[@kanikkiafelton3251]

Thank you

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

You're welcome!!!

[@kanikkiafelton3251]

@ThePurposefulPantry I haven't started my preservation journey I am trying to learn more before I invest. I just started growing sweet potatoes.. small but I did it

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Good for you!

[@carole6779]

Great video, as usual. 💖 More and more, I appreciate the flexbility of having different approaches to food preservation. For me, it comes back around to texture and "Will I use it? If so, how?" Dehydrated, FD, home canned, store canned, fresh... it's nice to be able to mix things up in my meal planning. For FD items, I also like how lightweight they are. Again, thanks so much for sharing this with us. Terrific info! 😊👍

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Thanks! I appreciate your words about it!

[@moms7201]

My vacuumed sealer broke today and i’m not sure that I want to re-purchase the same one. I know you’ve probably used or tested most of the ones on the market so I’d love to hear your opinion.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4CmfGmwic-fbZIsi=we9-ClW27HmxbRJv

[@jago4673]

Concentrated flavor.

[@tessa35]

🧡

[@garryderish2465]

Good day Darcy, that vacuum canister that you can use any size jar , where can I buy one ?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

If you want one that fits any KIND of jar (canning vs commecial) you need a chamber vacuum sealer. WeVac is expensive but does just about any size, or make/purchase a version. You can find some DIY versions here on YT. The one I used in the video works on the 2-lid system of most canning jars.

[@PatsyMellen]

What do you use mushroom powder for? I guess I‘ve never had a recipe call for it. 🤔

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Replace mushrooms that have been dried (either way) - our family doesn't like the texture, so I use powder to give the umami flavor it has without the texture. And this: www.thepurposefulpantry.com/mushroom-parmesan-seasoning-blend/

[@SevenDeMagnus]

New subscriber here.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Thanks and welcome

[@Lee_Proffit]

Darcy, what the cost diffrence in electric (forget the initial machine cost) and drying time per big jar of mushrooms between dehydrator and freeze dryer ?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I haven't tested my freeze dryer in terms of the cost of a 24 hour run, yet (not withstanding the cost of the machine, itself). I've always read that it is less than 2X the cost to run per day - so while my dehydrator may cost about $1/day to run, the freeze dryer is about $2/per day. It will be different for everyone depending on electric rates and the size of freeze dryer you choose. I'm sure there are a few people out there who have run specific tests to see the cost. But then take into consideration the shelf-life of that food, too - much longer shelf-life with freeze dried.

[@Lee_Proffit]

@@ThePurposefulPantry At my age, I see little point in going for anything over the 5yr shelf life 😞 I was just curious about he costings, but a freeze drier is way out of my price and space range 🙂

[@chatterbugmm]

Why don’t you like the O2 absorbers? Just wondering.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Because they are wasteful for someone who isn't putting up for 20+ years, and a vacuum sealer works just as well for me.

[@chatterbugmm]

Makes sense. Thank you.

[@trmwyldshade1482]

I have found that putting the ultra dry mushrooms in a food processor and grinding them into a fine powder allows me to put the mushroom powder into soups, stews and gravings Works quite fine

[@ciaohoney54]

HOW CAN AVERAGE FOLKS AFFORD 3,100.00 FOR A FREEZE DRYER 😢... SERIOUSLY DARCY ???? STICKING TO DEHYDRATOR

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

No one is asking you to buy a freeze dryer. But I have one, and I want to use it, and there are other people buying them and I'm sharing for those who have it.

[@ColettesGarden]

I agree, its a lot of money. I am watching the ads and used stores in high end areas. One will probably show up as an unwanted Christmas gift. Just takes some patience.

[@BethFerrier]

I'm an average folk. I saved up for a couple of years and watched for deals. If it's important to you, you can find a way to get there. Harvest Right sells refurbished machines for under $2K. My question is always, how bad do you want it? If it's bad enough, you'll figure it out. I'm grateful for all of Darcy's content. Comparing and contrasting dehydrated versus freeze dried is very useful information.

[@Pax6368]

It's an investment for those who will use it. I purchased mine used... so there are ways.

[@bestcee]

Average person. Saved up for it. I noticed I was buying a lot of freeze dried fruit and herbs. So, I started checking the price and saving. Now I save money on those things.