The family’s allocation to food is usually one of the largest on the budget. This is one of the reasons why wasting is discouraged even as people look for efficient ways of food storage. One efficient method of food storage is freezing. However, the type of food we put inside the freezer and the way we package it can either cause freezer burns or keep our food fresh for a long period of time. Thankfully, the following tips can help make your food freezer friendly.
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Let Food come to Room Temperature before Freezing
You’ve probably heard this before but I’ll tell you again; do not put hot food inside the freezer. It may warm or damage other contents of the freezer. Allow food to come to room temperature first before putting it in the freezer. Doing this will allow food to freeze uniformly and eliminate chances of spoilage.
Know the Ideal Temperature for Freezing and When to Freeze Food
The ideal temperature for freezing is zero degrees or below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Freezing food at this temperature level helps it retain its vitamin content, flavour, texture, and colour. This invariably means that food frozen at this temperature are usually safe for thawing and consumption. Moreover, freezing food at the peak of its freshness also helps it to last longer.
Label Items to be Frozen
This makes identification easier. Use dark markers that write easily on plastic bags and other containers so your notes will be seen when food is frozen. Don’t forget to add such vital information as the content of the bag and the date it was frozen. Bear in mind that when it comes to consuming frozen food, it’s always best to start with the oldest options. This is because the longer food stays in freezer, the higher the chances of freezer burns.
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Be Mindful of Food Placement
If food freezes quickly, its chances of staying fresh increases. So, aside from freezing food at or below zero degrees Fahrenheit which will help in freezing food quickly, you need to be mindful of food placement. By placing food directly against the wall of the freezer, you make it freeze faster. Once the food freezes, move it away from the wall of the freezer. That way, other foods ready for freezing can still use that space.
Invest in Vacuum Sealed Bags and Freezer Specific Wrapping for Long Term Storage
These products are designed to prevent freezer burn and the breakdown of food textures. Vacuum sealed bags remove air from the bags; this helps foods to stay fresh in the freezer for longer periods. You should buy these products and use them for long term storage.
Sources:
Food Network
Compact Appliance
Featured image source: Daily Mail
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