Freeze-dried ice cream, also known as “Astronaut Ice Cream,” was developed by NASA for space travel and is dehydrated, light, and easy to eat. It is available in Neapolitan flavor and other snacks, and is made through a process called freeze-drying. It is a popular snack for outdoor trips and science enthusiasts.
Freeze-dried ice cream, popularly marketed as “Astronaut Ice Cream,” is a type of snack food first developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for astronauts to eat in space. Freeze-dried ice cream is completely dehydrated, so it’s almost as light as air and is dry to the touch, doesn’t melt, and requires no refrigeration or preparation. It’s easy to eat by hand and won’t make a mess. Freeze-dried ice cream was first used by astronauts on the Apollo missions in the 1960s and 1970s, and it’s still used on space flights today. It is also available in many science museum gift shops and similar novelty shops.
Freeze-dried ice cream is usually Neapolitan, with a chocolate, vanilla and strawberry streak. It’s made with real ice cream, so it tastes like ice cream and contains all the original nutrients, but has a dry, crunchy texture. Freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches can also be found, along with other snacks like pizza and peaches. Freeze-dried ice cream and other “Astronaut” foods are ideal for excursions or other occasions when you want to bring food but travel light.
Freeze-dried ice cream is made through a process called freeze-drying. The ice cream is frozen at -40° Fahrenheit (-40° Celsius) and placed in a vacuum chamber. Air is removed from the vacuum chamber, then the chamber is heated, allowing the ice to vaporize, dehydrating the ice cream. Through this process, the intermediate liquid state (water) between solid (ice) and gas (steam) that would exist under natural conditions is bypassed. This change of state from a solid directly to a gas is known as sublimation in physics.
Freeze-dried ice cream is both a handy snack for trips outdoors and a fun treat for kids or anyone interested in science. If you can’t find one at a store near you, there are many freeze-dried treats available through online merchants.
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