When you swap fresh fruit for freeze-dried fruit, the first question is always: how much do I need? Here is a simple way to think about it.
Why a little goes a long way
Fresh fruit is mostly water. Freeze-drying gently removes that water, so what is left is the fruit's flavour, colour and fibre in a much smaller, lighter form. That is why a small bag of powder or pieces can stand in for a much bigger pile of fresh fruit.
Starting ratios from our own range
These are the fresh-to-dried figures we state on our product pages. They are a starting point only, because the exact figure changes with the fruit, the season and the batch.
| Product | Approx. fresh fruit per 1 kg freeze-dried |
|---|---|
| Mango | about 10 kg |
| Boysenberry (diced) | about 8 kg |
| Banana (diced) | about 4 kg |
| Strawberry powder | about 10 kg (a 50 g pouch comes from roughly half a kilogram of fresh fruit) |
Ask us for the figure for the specific product you are reformulating with.
What to check as you reformulate
Water. Freeze-dried fruit takes up moisture, so you may need to add liquid back where the recipe needs it.
Flavour. Powder can taste more intense than fresh fruit, so start with less and build up.
Colour. Natural fruit colour can change over time, especially in bright light.
Storage. Keep it sealed and dry. Our powders contain no fillers, so they can clump if left open.
Always run a small trial batch before changing a production recipe.
Ready to test a sample?
Browse our bulk fruit and vegetable powders, our wholesale freeze-dried fruit, or get in touch for a wholesale quote.