How To Freeze Dry Spinach

on July 20, 2023

Welcome to the intriguing world of food preservation, the subject of our most recent blog post! In this article, we’ll delve into the technique of freeze-drying spinach, an adaptable leafy green that has a wealth of nutritional advantages and culinary applications.

Spinach can be freeze-dried to retain its flavour, colour, and nutritional content for a longer period of time. By removing moisture from the spinach while maintaining its structural integrity, this technique creates a light and shelf-stable product. Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to freeze dry spinach in your home kitchen if you’re eager to try this culinary adventure:

Choose Fresh Spinach: Start by picking out fresh, premium spinach leaves. When feasible, use organic spinach to reduce your exposure to pesticides and other toxins.

Wash the spinach leaves thoroughly under cool running water to get rid of any dirt or debris before blanching them. Next, blanch the leaves by submerging them for a brief period of time (between 30 and 1 minutes) in boiling water, or until they wilt. The beautiful colour and nutrients of the spinach are preserved through blanching.
After blanching, place the spinach leaves in an ice water bath to fast cool them and stop the cooking process. By doing this, the texture and colour of the spinach are preserved.
Drain and Pat Dry: After the spinach leaves have cooled, drain them and gently press out any extra water. Use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to pat them dry. To guarantee successful freeze-drying, as much moisture as possible must be removed.

On a baking sheet or tray that has been lined with parchment paper, arrange the spinach leaves in a single layer. To allow for appropriate ventilation throughout the freeze-drying process, make sure they are not touching.
Prefreeze: Put the spinach leaves on a tray in the freezer and prefreeze them for a few hours or overnight. Pre-freezing aids in preserving each leaf’s unique shape during the freeze-drying process.
Transfer to Freeze Dryer: After the spinach leaves have been pre-frozen, transfer them to a freeze dryer, a specialised device made to evaporate moisture at very low temperatures. For your particular freeze dryer model, follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Freeze Dry: Start the freeze-drying process by setting the freeze dryer to the proper settings, which are normally approximately -40°F (-40°C). Depending on the quantity of moisture in the spinach leaves and the size of your freeze drier, this could take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours or even more.
After the spinach leaves have been freeze-dried, gently take them from the machine and store them in airtight containers. To keep them fresh and stop moisture absorption, store them in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags.
Enjoy and Rehydrate: There are several ways to consume freeze-dried spinach. Simply place the leaves in water and let them soak for a few minutes to restore their natural texture. They can be used as a tasty addition to salads, stews, smoothies, and other foods.

In addition to being a useful pantry staple, freeze-dried spinach is a great method to add leafy greens to your diet all year long. Therefore, why not give freeze-drying spinach a try and open up a whole new world of culinary opportunities while conserving its goodness and minerals for later?

Can I freeze dry spinach without a freeze dryer?

It can be difficult to freeze-dry spinach without a dedicated freeze drier because it needs specialised tools to produce the best results. There is, however, a substitute technique known as “home freeze drying” that some people have tried. Please be aware that this method might not provide results as good as those from a freeze drier, but it might still be worth trying if you want to try freeze-drying without one. Here is a general description of what happens:

Get the spinach ready: The spinach leaves should be washed, blanched, and pat dried using the instructions from earlier in the text.

Prepared spinach leaves should be laid out in a single layer on a baking sheet or pan that has been lined with parchment paper before freezing. Make sure the leaves are not touching one another.
Spinach leaves should be frozen solid, therefore place the tray of spinach leaves in the freezer’s coldest section. This procedure could go on for a long time or even overnight.
Transfer the frozen spinach leaves into vacuum-sealable bags or other airtight containers before vacuum-sealing them. In order to prevent freezer burn and preserve quality, make sure to remove as much air as you can from the packing.

Put the vacuum-sealed spinach in the freezer at the coldest setting for deep freezing. To maintain the spinach’s texture and quality, the goal is to freeze it as soon as feasible.
When the freeze-dried spinach is ready for use, take the vacuum-sealed container from the freezer and let it defrost at room temperature.

Please be aware that utilising a home freeze dryer may not yield the same results as doing it professionally. The spinach might not preserve its original colour, texture, and flavour to the same degree even though some moisture will be eliminated. If a freeze drier is not available, it can nevertheless offer a viable substitute for preserving spinach.

Can I freeze dry other leafy greens using the same method?

Yes, you may freeze dry different leafy greens using the same technique. The overall procedure stays the same, even if the outcomes may vary slightly based on the particular qualities of the leafy greens.

Remember that leafy greens have different textures and moisture contents, which could impact the outcome. After being freeze dried, some greens, such kale or lettuce, may not have the same feel as spinach. For a variety of leafy greens, freeze drying is still an effective preservation technique.

How long does freeze-dried spinach last?

Spinach that has been freeze-dried has a long shelf life when properly preserved. By using this preservation technique, the spinach is largely dried out, which significantly reduces the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mould that can lead to spoiling. Additionally, the absence of moisture aids in delaying the enzymatic processes that can result in nutrient degradation and flavour alterations.

Although technically freeze-dried spinach can last for many years, it’s important to keep in mind that over time, the quality and nutritional value may gradually deteriorate. Therefore, it is advised to consume freeze-dried spinach within a fair amount of time, ideally within 2 to 3 years of freeze-drying, for the best flavour and nutritional benefits.

Does freeze-drying spinach affect its nutritional value?

One of the most mild food preservation techniques is freeze-drying, which helps to preserve the food’s nutritional worth. Spinach that has been freeze-dried is a convenient and nutrient-dense alternative because the procedure minimises nutritional loss.

Even while the exposure to light, heat, and oxygen during the freeze-drying process may cause some small nutritional loss, the overall nutrient profile of freeze-dried spinach is still largely unaltered. Vital nutrients like vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, iron, and calcium are preserved to a significant degree.

Freeze-drying typically delivers superior nutrient retention when compared to other preservation techniques like canning or drying at higher temperatures. As a result, the spinach can be freeze-dried and its colour, flavour, and nutritional content can be preserved for a long time.