The freeze-dryer is a device through which the process of freeze-drying takes place, which is nothing but the drying of various materials. This equipment allows, through cold drying, to remove the moisture from a product or foodstuff to obtain it dehydrated, which allows them to retain their properties and nutritional values, while reducing their volume.
The freeze dryer consists of three parts, a dry chamber, a condenser and a vacuum system. To freeze-dry a product, it must first be frozen and then introduced into the freeze-dryer, at a temperature below -40°C, where a vacuum pump will reduce the pressure on the sample. Once the temperature is reduced, the water freezes and the pressure decreases, going from a solid state to vapor, by sublimation.
Freeze-drying is a process that helps to obtain instant coffee, transforming it into soluble granules that, in contact with water, acquire their properties again. This process allows to preserve its organoleptic characteristics, and also to be healthier since it does not contain additives or preservatives. Also, it is possible to keep it longer than normal coffee.
Freeze-dried coffee
The freeze-dried coffee is a derivative of coffee, with the difference that it is subjected to a freezing process, making it more natural and allowing to obtain an instant coffee of better aroma and taste. The soluble coffee that we normally know is totally different from the freeze-dried coffee, both go through different processes for their final finish.
In solubilization, the powder is separated from the coffee to be dissected and pulverized, which makes it an abrupt process that cancels its taste and aroma. On the other hand, freeze-drying is the ultra freezing of coffee, to bring it in a chamber that dehydrates it by sublimation, thus maintaining its natural properties.
Coffee freeze-drying process
This type of coffee comes in the form of granules, resulting from its elaboration, which involves freezing at very low temperatures. Freeze-dried coffee, in addition to having a better smell and taste, has many health benefits, such as reducing cholesterol levels, protecting the cardiovascular system and improving physical endurance. For the freeze-drying of coffee, it is subjected to the following steps:
- First, the liquid extract of the coffee is frozen, then it is cut and introduced into the freeze-dryer, where there is a vacuum chamber, which will subject the coffee to low pressures.
- Then, by applying little heat to it, it will go from a direct transition from ice to steam, i.e. the water will be sublimated.
- Finally, there are the freeze-dried coffee granules, ready to be packed.
Freeze dryers
The freeze-dryer is an equipment used in the field of pharmacy, but over time it has become a fundamental instrument in the field of food. Thanks to its sophisticated operation, this equipment allows products to be preserved for longer periods of time, due to the fact that they do not have moisture or water that can give way to the development of pathogens.
The freeze-dryer allows, by a gentler method, the drying by freezing of organic and inorganic products and compounds, without affecting their qualitative and quantitative composition. The freeze-drying process has a wide variety of applications, such as the preservation of food, including fruits, meat, dairy products, tea, and coffee, among others; the preservation of non-living materials, including pharmaceuticals, blood plasma, and serum, among others; the preservation of living cells, including bacteria and yeast; and the original preservation of archaeological objects, books, flowers, and animal preparations.
Kalstein freeze dryers
If you are interested in BUYING one of our freeze dryers, then Kalstein is the right place for you, we are MANUFACTURERS of the best laboratory equipment, with a variety of models at affordable PRICES for your pocket. We have vertical and desktop freeze dryers, our YR series T-type vertical freeze dryer is characterized by:
- CFC-free cooling.
- Drying curves for LCD screens, interface in English.
- Condenser opening, condenser with pre-freezing function.
- Low-noise compressor, good efficiency, long service life.
To view our freeze-dryer catalog, you can enter by clicking on the following link HERE
