Physical, chemical, and biological storage methods are used to prevent the spoilage of foods and to store them for a long time. Freezing food is one of the safest methods. However, how the freezing process is done depends on the type of food to be processed and its properties.
So, among foods, is frozen fruit healthy? For those wondering about this question, we discuss the method of freezing fruits and its effects. Which fruits can be frozen and where they are used is very important to evaluate the fruits. Is the freezing method the correct method so that the fruits do not lose their vitamins and minerals? We share the details on this subject.
Food Storage Methods
The most effective way to eat healthily is to consume vegetables and fruits in season. However, to prevent food waste, it is necessary to preserve excess food by using appropriate storage methods. However, the researches “What are the methods of storing nutrients?” raises many alternatives to the question.
That’s why we researched which food and how to store it for you. After reading our article, you can evaluate whether frozen fruit, which is widely used, is healthy, and you can use the beneficial storage method that suits you.
Storage by Applying Heat Treatment
Storage methods by applying heat treatment differ according to the food applied. It is essential to apply heat in accordance with the pH level. Pasteurization is applied for foods with a pH below 4.5. Fruits such as lemon, and cherry; Vegetables with high acid content are examples of this.
The sterilization process is suitable for foods with a pH above 4.5. It can be applied for meat, milk, and some vegetables. Making foods durable by being subjected to heat in a tin or jar is called canning.
Drying Storage
Drying, which evaporates the water in the food, is one of the most traditional storage methods for foods. It can be done in two ways as sun drying and artificial drying. Sun drying, one of the classical drying methods, can be risky in terms of both the required large area and hygiene. However, dehydration and freeze-drying are among the most preferred food storage methods.
Storage by Fermenting
It is a storage method provided with acids obtained from beneficial microorganisms. It is preferred to store food for a long time and make it delicious. Foods such as meat and pickles are suitable for storage by fermenting.
Smoke Storage
The smoking process used for meat and fish is based on the withdrawal of some water from the food. The smoke obtained by burning sawdust from hard and fragrant trees such as laurel, hornbeam, oak is used in incense. It contributes greatly to making the food delicious.
Storage with Chemicals and Spices
Spices and chemicals are used to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Salt and sugar are in the group of natural chemicals used. Products such as vinegar, organic fruit acids and nitrite fall into the group of artificial chemicals. The use of some of these artificial chemicals in the food industry is limited. Excessive use of these products is not recommended.
Vacuum Storage
It is the packaging of foods with or without processing, and their storage by vacuuming the air. This storage method reduces the volume of food. It prevents spoilage by stopping the activities of microorganisms and enzymes in food.
Freeze Storage
Fruits and vegetables are foods that contain a lot of water. Therefore, creating a moist environment that allows the proliferation of microorganisms and the deterioration of nutrients is easier. Freezing food prevents the growth of these microorganisms.
There are stages of freezing in foods. It forms the stages of separating, cleaning, chopping, freezing for vegetables, adding sugar if necessary, for fruits. When it comes to the question of whether frozen fruit is healthy, it should be noted that great care should be taken while consuming frozen products.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Freeze Storage Method
For the question of what is freezing, we can say that it is the method of preserving frozen foods at -40 degrees by storing them at -18 degrees. The freezing method is used for many foods. We can say that the production and consumption of frozen food have become widespread throughout the world. The important thing here is to adjust the freezing speed according to the food. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of the freezing food storage method?
- The shelf life of frozen foods increases.
- It makes vegetables and fruits available in all seasons.
- Foods frozen without the use of additives do not lose their flavor. To ensure whether the frozen fruit is healthy, whether additives are used in the freezing process should be checked.
- It saves time and labor due to its practical use.
- Frozen products can prevent the waste of resources in the country’s economy. Especially if the cold chain is successful, the advantage of the freezing method becomes more apparent.
Although the freezing method is a frequently used and safe storage method, it has some disadvantages. Here are the elements that those who want to use the freezing method should pay attention to:
- It is important that the product is thawed in suitable conditions and consumed without waiting for a long time. During the exposure of frozen products to heat, harmful microorganisms and bacteria may multiply.
- Cold chain should be used to transport frozen food.
- The thawed product should not be re-frozen.
In order to freeze the fruits, it is necessary to wash them well and wait for them to dry. It can then be frozen by being bagged without air. Regarding the question of whether frozen fruit is healthy, it is possible to say that these fruits can be consumed safely. However, the storage times of the fruits in the deep freezer after processing may vary.
Fruits Suitable for Freezing and Where They Are Used
When freezing foods, it is important which foods are suitable for freezing. Consideration should be given to whether frozen fruit is healthy or not. Fruits such as strawberries, cherries, apples, raspberries, tangerines, apricots and peaches are suitable for freezing. In fact, these fruits are consumed quite a lot among products marketed as frozen.
Those who wonder if frozen fruit is healthy can see that there are many places where this fruit is used. You can use frozen fruit in pastries, cake making, juice or compote. However, it is important to consume it without waiting too long.
Freeze-drying comes to the fore among the food storage methods, as a method where you can store the food without losing its taste, smell and nutritional value. Freeze drying, also known as the Freeze Dry method, is very advantageous among other storage methods. Especially if you are thinking about the question of whether frozen fruit is healthy, you can safely try the freeze-drying method.
Differences Between Freeze Method and Freeze Drying
As the healthiest method to extend the shelf life of foods and to consume them healthily, freeze-drying method is highly preferred. Because the freeze-dry method is the most advanced drying method in today’s conditions. You can safely store your food in a healthy way.
In the freezing method, storing foods by freezing them directly at -40 degrees is possible. While some fruits are suitable for freezing, there is a risk of spoiling quickly or losing their properties during the thawing phase. In freeze-drying technology, on the other hand, the water is transformed from solid-state ice to gaseous water vapor without going back to liquid state.
So the sublimation principle is used. In this respect, the question of whether frozen fruit is healthy is very important for those wondering about the freeze dry method. You can safely store the vegetables and fruits you buy from your garden with the freeze dry method.
When you use the freeze-drying method with the Lyolife freeze dryer, the fruits never lose their colour, smell, taste, and nutritional value. Provides long-term storage. Thus, it makes a great contribution to both the home economy and the national economy. Moreover, you can continue to store your products at room temperature after freeze-drying. With the Freeze dryer, keeping seasonal fruits in the comfort of your home becomes easier.
You can reach our previous article from https://liyolife.com/en/what-is-the-freeze-drying-method/
