Local company launches a sweet idea

Freeze drying is a fun new way to enjoy all of your favourite snacks, transforming the texture while still maintaining the taste. 

It works by freezing the product and then dehydrating it to the point where there is little to no water content left. This results in a crunchy, melt in your mouth texture. Some candies even increase in size.

Saultites Stephanie and Frank Iezzi have started their own freeze-dried candy business called 40 Below Freeze Dried Snacks. They offer a variety of freeze-dried candy and fruit options, so there’s something for everyone who is looking for a taste test.

“The business started after coming across the (freeze drying) idea on the internet. We decided to buy the equipment and just jump in,” Stephanie said. 

40 Below Freeze Dried Snacks has set up their shop at the Mill Market. They will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. until May.

Even though the couple’s business is still brand new, the community’s response has been overwhelming. 

“The community is going absolutely crazy for it. When we’re there, we’re basically always sold out in a few hours,” Frank said.

 “With freeze drying, you also get 97 per cent of the nutritional value from any fruit or vegetable,” he added. 

Some of the treats offered on their menu include apples with cinnamon, bananas, mangoes, Skittles, marshmallows, Jolly Ranchers, Milk Duds, Starbursts, caramels and even “Covid Candy” (Nerd Gummy Clusters). 

“We use two different kinds of Nerd clusters to make the Covid Candy, so we have two variants,” Stephanie joked. 

“It’s extremely fun. My wife and I are having a great time doing it,” Frank said.

“It’s something unique, and anything that we put in there (the machine) tastes better when it comes out. Fruit is absolutely fantastic. It enhances the flavour so much,” Stephanie said. 

The Iezzis say that they are constantly looking for different ways to add to their freeze-drying business and that if the community hype keeps up the way it has been, they will definitely look at expanding. 

“We want to bring something new to the community that people will enjoy,” Stephanie said. “What’s not to love, it’s candy.”