“My family has a habit of storing food in large quantities. How long should vegetables and fruits be stored in a freezer but retain their flavour and safety?” These issues should be of concern to all families.
Freezing is one of the easiest forms of food preservation. Although food can stay safe in the freezer almost indefinitely, that doesn’t mean it will retain its quality and flavour forever. The freezing process does, however, prevent bacteria in the food from growing.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, any frozen food is safe to eat because bacteria and other pathogens cannot grow if the ambient temperature is minus 17.78oC or lower. Frozen food can, however, still lose its original quality and texture if we store it incorrectly, particularly vegetables and fruits. The optimum consumption time is within 8 to 12 months.
R. G. M. van der Sman, a food and biology-based researcher in the Netherlands, said that some vegetables, especially green leafy ones, need to be blanched before freezing. Additionally, the storage of vegetables with a high water content, such as tomatoes, can be prolonged. As fruit contains more water, the texture will change when frozen and then thawed. It will become softer and often more mushy. Therefore, it is best to plan on using previously frozen fruit in cooked dishes, sauces, jams and fillings. Frozen fruit is also ideal for making smoothies, sorbets and ice cream.
To summarise, fresh vegetables and fruits must be cleaned with cold water and then wiped with paper towels. Some vegetables and fruits should also be peeled. The food should then be placed in a zip-lock bag or a storage box, removing as much air as possible before placing it in the freezer.
To keep food fresh, every family should use a refrigerator equipped with the latest technology, which is more energy efficient and which can maintain a stable interior temperature and humidity. This can also help extend the life of the appliance and keep food fresher for longer.
BY NGUYEN THI DIEU LINH, THAIPBS WORLD
