Have you ever heard about freeze-drying, also known as sublimation? What do you know about the advantages of sublimated products? And have you ever heard about Berree mueslis, produced in Armenia, that are made with utilization of freeze-dried fruits?
While traditional dried fruit production is rapidly developing in Armenia, there are almost no producers of sublimated products in the country—likely due to the high cost of freeze-drying equipment. However, freeze-drying technology is considered highly efficient for preserving nutrients, ensuring an attractive product appearance, and extending shelf life. Furthermore, there is a significant demand for freeze-dried food in the global market today.
Berree muesli production is a family business owned by Zori Mkrtichyan and Sona Telunts. Last year, the young family received technical support from the AGRI CAMP Program, funded by USAID, to acquire two freeze-drying machines for producing sublimated dried fruits.
Sublimation is a natural dehydration process that preserves the raw material’s beneficial properties, appearance, taste, and aroma while allowing it to be easily rehydrated to its original consistency with water. This technology was initially used during World War II for preserving and transporting blood plasma. Later, freeze-dried foods were developed for astronauts.
Although freeze-dried products have been widely used in commercial production in American and European markets since the mid-20th century, the wholesale trade of freeze-dried Armenian fruits became possible through a Berree muesli production.
With the support of the AGRI CAMP Program, the acquisition of necessary equipment along with additional investment of their own, the young couple expanded their business. By purchasing over 7 tons of fruits and berries from farmers across different regions of Armenia, they were able to completely freeze-dry the produce and market the sublimated products, both as muesli and as raw materials for other manufacturers.
Today, Berree mueslis are available in Sas and Gurmenia local supermarkets, as well as on the supermarket.am online platform. The company also supplies bulk muesli to hotels and several tea and confectionery producers.
Moreover, the company is currently negotiating with distributors in several foreign countries to export its products.