Frequently Asked Questions

About freeze-dried food

What is freeze-drying?

Freeze-drying (lyophilisation) freezes food to around −40°C, then removes the ice as vapour under vacuum. Because the food is never cooked, it keeps its shape, colour, nutrients and flavour — it just loses the water (and about 90% of its weight).

What's the difference between freeze-dried and dehydrated?

Dehydrating uses heat, which cooks the food, darkens it, and leaves it chewy with roughly 60–70% of water removed. Freeze-drying removes ~99% of water without heat, so the food is light and crunchy, rehydrates quickly, and retains far more of its original nutrition and taste.

How long does freeze-dried fruit last?

Every pack is stamped with a best-before date two years from packing. Best-before is about quality, not safety — stored sealed in a cool, dry, dark place, freeze-dried food can stay good for 10 years or more. We print the conservative figure and let your pantry prove the rest. Once opened, reseal tightly and enjoy within a few weeks for maximum crunch.

Do I need to rehydrate it?

No. Everything we make is delicious straight from the bag. If a recipe calls for soft fruit, a few minutes in water brings it back.

Is anything added?

No. Every Outback Bites product is 100% Australian-grown produce — no preservatives, no added sugar, no additives.

Why does my pack sometimes weigh more than the label says?

The weight on the label is a minimum. We typically add a few grams extra to every pack (over and above the packaging and the oxygen absorber) — so you'll never get less than you paid for, and usually a little more.

Ordering & shipping

Where do you ship?

Australia-wide. We don't currently ship internationally. Orders are packed and sent within 1–2 business days.

Do you do bulk or B2B orders?

Yes — contact us at mark@outbackbites.com.au for wholesale and bulk enquiries.