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 This method is considered one of the best for long-term storage of fruits. When frozen, it is possible to preserve the product with slight changes in its chemical composition and quality.
It is known that low temperatures slow down the chemical and biochemical processes of metabolism in tissues, and reduce the activity of enzymes. Low temperatures also inhibit the development of microorganisms. Many bacteria die when food is frozen, but mold and yeast, on the contrary, can even develop in this state. Therefore, it is necessary to very carefully discard fruits with signs of spoilage.
At home, freezers of refrigerators or special freezers are used for freezing. At what temperature is the product frozen? Here, too, as in sterilization and pasteurization, there are factors. First of all, the temperature in the freezer and the speed of freezing are important. There is a direct relationship - the lower the temperature and the faster the process, the better the quality of the product will be. The speed of freezing also depends on the properties of the fruits and berries that are frozen. The optimum temperature in a home refrigerator is at minus 18-24 ° C. Freezing time at temperatures up to minus 24 ° C is approximately 2 hours.
How do I prepare the refrigerator for freezing food? Switch off the refrigerator, empty the freezer and wipe dry after thawing. Then the refrigerator is turned on again and set to the maximum temperature regime to create the lowest temperature in it.
In what container to freeze berries and fruits? Small glass or metal jars can be used. It is convenient to freeze food in plastic sour cream or cheese jars. You can put food in plastic bags, milk bags. All this must be thoroughly washed and dried.
Freezing berries in bulk. To do this, cover the bottom of the freezer with plywood according to its size or foil (thick paper). Small plates can also be used. Berries are laid out on them in a thin layer, and after freezing, they are quickly transferred to prepared bags or jars and carefully sealed.
Freezing food in briquettes. In this case, fruit and berry masses with juice are frozen in rectangular metal cans. After freezing, the jars with the contents are removed from refrigerator and dipped in a pot of hot water for a few seconds. The briquette thaws and falls on the banks. The briquettes are placed in even rows in bags and placed in the freezer.
How to keep frozen food when the refrigerator needs to be thawed? It is important not to allow frozen fruits and berries to thaw. If it's cold outside, then the food is placed in a large plastic bag and taken out on the balcony or out the window. If this is not possible, then the plastic bag is wrapped with a cotton blanket, which helps to keep the temperature low for a while.
Remember! Careful packaging and isolation of the product from the air guarantee the high quality of frozen fruits and berries.
How to defrost fruits and berries? A great rule is to observe the gradualness of this process. Slow defrosting results in a higher quality product. It is best to defrost food at 0 ° C.
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Freezing recipes for berries, fruits and vegetables
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