Why Freeze-Dried?
Moisture
Unlike other methods of food preservation, freeze drying removes moisture but does not does not shrink or toughen the food, and it retains its original flavor, color, and nutrition value.
West Coast Kitchen meals and snacks are hand made with only the highest quality, fresh ingredients so you can have the experience of home cooked food in the wild.
NUTRITION
According to research by the American Institute for Cancer Research[7], freeze-dried foods retain the vast majority of the vitamins and minerals found in the original food. By comparison, dehydrated foods retain less of their nutritional value when compared to freeze-dried food. [8]
WEIGHT
The main objective with food preservation is to remove moisture so that the food doesn’t decompose or grow mold. Freeze-drying removes about 98-99 percent of moisture. Freeze-dried food weighs a lot less than hydrated or even dehydrated foods which makes it an attractive option for outdoor enthusiasts who need to ‘pack light’.
SHELF LIFE
Just-add-water meals can have up to a 25-30-year shelf life when packaged and stored correctly at a temperature of 65 degrees or lower. To maximise shelf life, West Coast Kitchen products are sealed using vacuum and nitrogen gas flush technology and an oxygen scavenger to ensure all oxygen is removed from the package.
GOURMET QUALITY
Recipes
With our first hand understanding of wilderness hikers needs and Shani’s 30 years’ experience as a chef, we have created a range of exciting, tasty, nutritious dishes. At the end of a hard day’s hiking, hunting or fishing or whatever your activity, all you need to do is add boiling water and you can enjoy the reward of a delicious, healthy home cooked meal in minutes.
Building on high quality reputation of our successful hot sauce business, Fat Chili Farm, popular favorites are Persian paprika rice with beef, chickpea curry, dill and lentil basmati rice and butter chicken made with our popular butter chicken sauce. Our hummus and guacamole require cold water only, so you can snack on the go without the need to stop and boil water. Morning Blaster, is West Coast Kitchen’s unique breakfast contribution based on a traditional middle eastern breakfast (Halim) made with wheat, chicken honey nuts and dried fruit.
EMERGENCY
Emergency Preparedness
We want to support west coast and other communities that are challenged by wildfire, flood and earthquake risk, to be well prepared in event on an emergency. With the recommendation that all households have at least 72 hours of food per person stored for emergency purposes we have tailored packages with vegetarian, gluten free and lower sodium options, which meet the WHO Guidelines of 1300 calories per day emergency ration at affordable cost - $18-24 / person / day - less than the cost of delivery pizza!
DIETARY
Dietary Options
Our product range includes a selection of healthy, nutritious freeze- dried meals, with vegetarian, low sodium and gluten free options, which we have developed in response to growing demand and consumer awareness.