Does Freeze dried Candy Have Less Calories?

The remarkable ability of freeze-drying to change the texture and flavor of a wide range of sweets has made freeze-dried candy the talk of the town. Many people buy these expensive candies just to get a taste of something new that is on the market. 

Everything you need to know about this new talk of the town is present in this article; use it to determine whether it's worth the buzz!

What is Freeze Dried Candy?

Simply put, freeze-dried candy is just that: candy that has been freeze-dried. Freeze-drying food, including sweet and sour candies, preserves the flavor, color components, and fragrances, resulting in an almost fresh taste.

Many of the nutritional benefits of freeze-dried candies are destroyed by the high temperatures used in other preservation techniques, such as dehydrating and canning. In addition, foods preserved via freeze-drying take a shorter time to rehydrate compared to other methods.

When candies are freeze-dried, they are claimed to have a crunchier or more flavorful texture. However, freeze-drying also works well for preserving food. Compared to the typical few months of shelf life, this treat's potential longevity of months to years is rather impressive for consumers.

Calories in Freeze-dried Candy

The idea that freeze-dried candy has a lower calorie content than traditional candy is one of the most common fallacies. To tell you the truth, the candy's calorie count remains the same after the freeze-drying procedure. The calorie density is less important than the texture and water content.

A basic understanding of caloric density is necessary to comprehend why freeze-dried candies do not contain fewer calories. A food's caloric density is the amount of calories contained per unit of weight. Candy loses some of its weight when water is freeze-dried out of it, but the calories are concentrated in the remaining bulk.

For example, let's say 100 grams of candy has 400 calories. After freeze-drying 80 grams of water, the remaining 20 grams of candy will still have 400 calories. Although the overall calorie count has not changed, the calories per gram have gone up.

The freeze-dried candies are on the hype not because they are less in calories but because the process itself does not add any additional calories to the end product. If you are choosing a candy or fruit to get freeze-dried, the chances are that it will remain without calories even after going through the process of freeze-drying. 

Think of freeze-dried fruit as an analogy. For example, since they are mostly water, fresh strawberries have a low-calorie density. In contrast, there are the same calories in freeze-dried strawberries as in their fresh counterparts, but they're far lighter. Candy that has been freeze-dried follows the same logic.

A 20-calorie ordinary marshmallow will have the same number of calories as a 20-calorie freeze-dried marshmallow, but the latter will be lighter and crunchier. Calorie restriction is not the same as weight loss.

Nutrition in Freeze-Dried Candy

Although there might be no difference in calorie amounts between regular candy and freeze-dried candy, freeze-dried candies have additional nutritional considerations that make them a superior choice. 

Preservatives and Additives

One benefit of freeze-dried candies is that they lessen the need for artificial flavors and preservatives. Because they remove moisture from the candy, the resulting product prevents the formation of germs. Freeze-drying naturally increases food's shelf life in this way. So, certain freeze-dried candies may have fewer preservatives than others. This is why it is important to read labels and make smart product choices, as this is not always the case.

Minerals and Vitamins

Compared to other dehydration procedures, freeze-drying is known for its superior preservation of vitamins and minerals. This ability to preserve more natural nutrients makes freeze-drying an especially important consideration for fruit-based candies. 

Sugar Levels

There is usually no difference in the sugar content between conventional candy and freeze-dried candy. However, once the water is removed, the sugar becomes more concentrated, resulting in a stronger sweetness. This has the potential to be advantageous or disadvantageous, depending on your fitness goals. Even if you could eat less due to the intensified sweetness, you still need to watch your calorie intake because of the concentrated sugar content.

Conclusion

So, do freeze-dried candies have fewer calories? It depends on the type of candy you’re choosing. Some candies might be high in calories, and some might not even have 0.1 calories. This is because the process of freeze-drying does not reduce or add calories; it just intensifies the flavor and enhances the texture.