Quite a few innovations have made their way into our food supplies these days. We tend to take them for granted, but many of them have only been available for a relatively short time. Soft, fluffy loaves of pre-sliced bread that remain usable for two weeks or more after being exposed to air are a prime example. Shelf-stable cheese is another. Canned and frozen vegetables and fruits certainly belong on that list as well. All those foods give us flavor, a certain amount of nutritional value, and added convenience among other benefits.
Of course, powdered eggs shouldn’t be overlooked. These nutritional powerhouses are exceedingly versatile. They can be used on their own or incorporated into a long list of recipes. They don’t shatter the way fresh eggs do, and they don’t spoil in the absence of refrigeration. If they’re stored properly and their packaging remains intact, they can last for 10 years or so sitting on a shelf. If you haven’t yet given freeze dried powdered eggs the attention they deserve, consider taking a second look at these modern food marvels. It’s always a good idea to have emergency food supplies on hand, just in case.
How Are Freeze-Dried Powdered Eggs Created?
First, let’s take a look at how powdered eggs are created. They start off as farm-fresh eggs, but they go through extensive processing. Before anything else, they’re carefully inspected to ensure they’re of the highest quality. Those that meet the industry’s quality regulations move on to the next steps of the process. They’re sent through special machines that crack them and separate the yolks from the whites to maintain the unique properties of each component. From there, they’re whisked separately.
Once the still-liquid eggs are separated and ready for further processing, they’re pasteurized to get rid of bacteria and other microorganisms. In a nutshell, that involves heating them to high temperatures before quickly cooling them. That ensures no bacteria are processed along with the eggs themselves, so they’re completely safe to eat even years after being packaged.
Then, the egg whites and yolks are gently reintegrated with one another and homogenized to ensure the proper texture and an accurate ratio of yolk to white. The egg mixture may then be partially cooked to further eliminate pathogens. After this portion of the process, the partially cooked eggs are spread out onto trays in a freeze-drying chamber.
At that point, the eggs are frozen at extremely low temperatures. From there, they’re subjected to a process known as sublimation in which the ice in the eggs is converted directly into vapor without passing through a liquid phase. That effectively removes the moisture from the eggs to give them their long shelf life. Finally, the freeze-dried eggs are ground into a fine powder and packaged in airtight containers to protect them for the long haul.
Are Freeze-Dried Eggs Healthy?
Freeze-dried eggs are extremely healthy. The freeze-drying process preserves the integrity of the eggs as well as their original nutrition content. That means they’re as packed with protein as their fresh counterparts. They also contain an array of additional vitamins and minerals. Since there’s no risk of spoilage and all the harmful effects that come along with it, many might say that freeze-dried eggs are even safer than fresh.
Why Stock Up on Freeze-Dried Eggs?
Many people turn up their noses at powdered eggs. Some say they just don’t seem natural. Few things could be further from the truth, though. Freeze-dried eggs can be used in countless ways to ramp up people’s food supplies. They’re practical, cost-effective, long-lasting staples that can be part of any pantry. Take a look at some of the reasons you should consider stocking up on powdered eggs.
Preparing for Emergencies
Freeze-dried eggs are popular choices for people who want to be prepared for dire emergencies. Any number of things could unexpectedly go wrong when you least expect it from localized power outages to global disasters. When things take a turn for the worse, it’s important to have a supply of nonperishable foods on hand to keep your family healthy. Protein and nutrient-dense calories are particularly important in times like those, and powdered eggs happen to offer both.
Since freeze-dried eggs don’t need to be refrigerated, they can withstand even extended power outages. Their long shelf life makes them perfect for emergency food stockpiles. You can keep them on hand for a decade without having to worry about them going bad. That’s a nice option to have since you never know when an unexpected development may arise.
Powdered eggs are also far more portable than their fresh counterparts. They’re compact, lightweight, and easy to carry. If you need to become mobile in the face of an emergency, you can simply carry packages of freeze-dried eggs with you for nutritious meals on the go.
Convenience
Convenience is yet another reason to keep a supply of freeze-dried eggs on hand. If you happen to find yourself out of fresh eggs when you need them, you can simply draw from your freeze-dried supply to bridge the gap. They can save you the hassle, time, and fuel of making an unplanned trip to the supermarket.
Unlike eggs in their natural form, you don’t have to place them in water and see if they float to test them for freshness. They don’t have to be individually cracked, either. Those factors alone can save you a great deal of time and trouble in the kitchen.
At times when the local grocery stores run out of eggs, your family won’t have to go without them as long as you have a stockpile of freeze-dried alternatives to fall back on. Powdered eggs are also extremely convenient for camping and hiking trips and other situations in which refrigeration may not be available. As mentioned, you won’t have to worry about foodborne pathogens developing along the way, either.
What Can You Do with Powdered Eggs?
Now, let’s explore some of the possible uses for powdered eggs. Using them to make basic scrambled eggs is certainly an option. Simply reconstitute them according to the directions on the package for a warm, tasty breakfast that’s sure to give you enough protein to make it through the morning. Add salt and pepper based on your preferences. For a special treat, scramble shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, diced ham, onions, or other ingredients to the mix.
You can also use reconstituted freeze-dried eggs to make omelets. The possibilities here are endless in their own rights. Any number of ingredients can be packed into an omelet for a wonderful, satisfying meal at any time of the day or night. From crumbled feta and sausage to tomatoes and baby spinach and beyond, you can customize a powdered egg omelet in countless ways.
Breakfast casseroles are yet another option. You’ll find a vast array of breakfast casserole recipes at your disposal. They’re as diverse as the people who create them. Like scrambled eggs and omelets, they can be modified to fit your family’s tastes and dietary needs. Simply substitute powdered eggs for fresh ones, and you have a fast, nutritious meal that’s as simple or elaborate as you like. Alternatively, you could prepare a beautiful breakfast scramble and divide it among muffin tins for individual treats to eat on the go.
Quiches and Frittatas
Quiches are highly popular egg dishes as well. They’re basically breakfast casseroles placed in a lovely pie shell. As is the case with casseroles and omelets, there are countless recipes for this wonderful dish. You can even use tiny tart shells or other types of pastry to create miniature quiches. Frittatas, which are similar to quiches but without the pie shells, are equally diverse and versatile. Both of these dishes can be prepared with reconstituted powdered eggs as opposed to fresh eggs. They’re sure to delight your family and guests.
Binders and Thickening Agents
Powdered eggs can likewise be used as binders and thickening agents in an array of foods. Just reconstitute them and use them as you would fresh eggs. Meatloaves and meatballs are a couple of foods that require eggs as binders to keep them from falling apart during the cooking process. Crab cakes, salmon patties, and cornbread dressings are common foods that require binding agents like eggs.
You can reconstitute freeze-dried eggs and use them as coatings for fried foods as well. Dip chicken, fish, pork chops, or other foods into a reconstituted egg mixture followed by a roll in flour or bread crumbs. Then, place them in a pan of oil or a deep fryer to cook them. The egg mixture will help the breading to adhere to the foods while creating a seal to hold in their natural juices.
Many sauces also include eggs as an essential ingredient. Those include aioli’s, mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce, and Caesar dressing. Some soups call for eggs as thickening agents. Those are only a few prospects. You can use powdered eggs in a variety of ways, and don’t be afraid to experiment with them to find new and interesting possibilities. Freeze-dried eggs could become your new go-to ingredient.
Bringing Freeze-Dried Eggs into Your Culinary Repertoire
Freeze-dried powdered eggs may not be quite as glorified as their farm-fresh cousins, but they’re equally impressive. They’re incredibly versatile with countless uses as main dishes, sides, and additions to recipes. They offer convenience, safety, nutritional value, and longevity. They’re amazing sources of protein in times of emergency, but they can also be an everyday inclusion in your culinary repertoire.