What can REV™ technology transform?

In food innovation, staying ahead means embracing transformative technologies. EnWave’s Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV™) technology isn’t just another dehydration method – it’s revolutionizing how we think about food preservation. By harnessing the combined power of vacuum and microwave energy, REV™ creates something remarkable: dried foods that actually taste, look, and nourish like their fresh counterparts. This blog post delves into the capabilities of REV™ technology, exploring its applications across various food categories and highlighting its unique advantages over other drying methods in the market.

A new era in food dehydration

Think of REV™ as a quantum leap in food processing. While traditional drying methods often sacrifice quality for shelf life, REV™ refuses to compromise. This breakthrough technology works at lower temperatures, faster speeds, and delivers results that align perfectly with today’s demands for premium, nutritious foods.

Transforming Fruits & Vegetables

REV™ technology excels in creating crunchy or chewy fruit and vegetable snacks that retain their natural colors and flavors. Unlike freeze-dried alternatives, REV™-dried products offer a more authentic taste experience and superior nutritional profile.

Applications:

• Shelf-stable products with extended longevity
• Versatile applications as standalone snacks or ingredients
• Customizable textures from crunchy (<5% moisture) to chewy (7-15% moisture)

Processing Insights:

Creating Premium Powders

• Optimal results achieved with high-quality raw materials
• Precise pre-processing crucial for desired final texture
• Flexible sizing options, from thin chips to chunky pieces

REV™ technology takes fruit and vegetable powders to new heights. The result? Vibrant, nutrient-rich powders that bring natural colors and authentic flavors to any application. Whether you’re working with whole fruits, purees, or pomace, REV™ technology ensures your final product captures the essence of its original form.

Applications:

• Ingredient bases for diverse food products
• Nutrient-dense flour alternatives
• Natural food colorants and flavor enhancers

Processing Insights:

• Versatile input options: whole fruits/vegetables, purees, or pomace
• Multi-step process involving slicing, pureeing, and/or partial air drying
• Final REV™ drying to 2-3% moisture content
• Post-drying grinding for powder production

Reimagining cheese products

Reinventing a Classic, REV™ technology breathes new life into cheese products, creating crunchy, shelf-stable snacks that retain the essence of their dairy origins.

Product Characteristics:

• Snackable, crunchy texture
• Extended shelf life without refrigeration
• Ideal canvas for post-drying seasoning and flavoring

Processing Insights:

• Optimal results with young, high-quality cheeses
• Pre-processing involves cubing and light cellulose dusting
• Alternative formats (shreds, thin slices) possible for low-fat and young cheeses
• Target moisture content: <5% for optimal crunchiness

Understanding REV™’s sweet spot

Like any groundbreaking technology, REV™ works best when you understand its strengths. While it excels at many applications, there are some areas where alternative methods might be more suitable.

Challenging Applications:

• Low-solids Liquids: Products with less than 25% solids content, such as soups or milk, pose challenges for REV™ processing.
• Certain Dairy Products: Some items, like 100% yogurt powder, may result in undesirable gummy textures.
• Oversized Products: Due to microwave distribution constraints, items exceeding 1 inch in width or 4-6 inches in length are not suitable for REV™ drying.
• Flavor-Dependent Products: Items that rely on traditional drying methods for flavor development (e.g., tea, tobacco) may not benefit from REV™ technology.
• Ultra-Low Temperature Requirements: Products requiring processing temperatures below 40°C fall outside REV™’s optimal range.

REV™ in action

BranchOut’s Avocado Revolution

BranchOut, a pioneering snack company, harnessed REV™ technology to overcome a significant challenge in avocado processing. The founder states, “The big advantage for us was the elimination of browning on sensitive fruits like avocado and banana. This was not possible before we started using EnWave’s patented REV technology.” This breakthrough enabled BranchOut to introduce a novel, visually appealing avocado snack to the market. Read more about it, here.

U.S. Army Ration Innovation

The U.S. Army has incorporated vacuum microwave drying as a method to reduce the footprint of operational rations. By utilizing REV™ technology, they’ve dramatically shortened processing times from seven days to just one to two hours, while maintaining ingredient integrity and nutritional value.

How to integrate REV™ into your operations

For food manufacturers looking to stay at the cutting edge of product innovation and efficiency, integrating REV™ technology into existing operations can be a game-changer. Here’s a roadmap for adoption:

• Assessment: Evaluate your current product line and identify opportunities for REV™ application.
• Consultation: Engage with EnWave’s experts to discuss specific needs and potential solutions.
• Testing: Utilize EnWave’s pilot plant facilities to refine concepts and optimize processes.
• Implementation: Choose the appropriate REV™ machine size for your production scale.
• Ongoing Support: Benefit from EnWave’s continuous technical assistance and market insights.

As consumer preferences continue to evolve towards healthier, more natural food options, REV™ technology positions manufacturers at the forefront of innovation, enabling the creation of premium products that meet and exceed market demands.

The future of food processing is here, and it’s powered by REV™. Contact EnWave today to schedule a consultation and explore the possibilities of REV™ technology for your business.