Rules for Storing Food in the Freezer 0 10

One of Humanity's Greatest Inventions

If you ask ordinary people (especially women) what invention they consider the most useful, the answer is likely to be “refrigerator and freezer.” These devices allow for solving two tasks at once — deliciously feeding the family and saving money.

However, to keep food fresh and nutritious, it is essential to know how to properly freeze and defrost it. Chef Dmitry Usenko shared his insights on this.

- In order for food to maintain its appealing appearance and taste, freezing must be done following all the rules. One of the most important is to use clean hands and maintain order in the kitchen. It is also important to ensure that each product or semi-finished product of the same type is in a separate clean bag or container, - the expert noted.

He also reminded about the acceptable storage periods for food in the freezer, which vary for different categories:

for bread – 1 month,

for vegetables – 1 year,

for fruits – from 8 to 12 months,

for fish – 3-6 months,

for meat – 2-9 months,

for dumplings and vareniki – 3 months,

for chicken and turkey – 3 months.

How to Properly Freeze Food?

In addition to following hygiene standards, it is important to consider other aspects:

* When packing each product in a separate container or bag, it is necessary to indicate the name and packing date on the packaging. This will help avoid missing the expiration date and prevent spoilage of the product.

* Before freezing, vegetables should be boiled until half-cooked, especially when it comes to cabbage, carrots, zucchini, beets, and eggplants.

* Vegetables and fruits that contain 80-90 percent water (such as tomatoes and cucumbers) are better frozen not in their fresh form, but after being pureed.

* Fruits are recommended to be cut into pieces convenient for further use. For example, bananas can be sliced into rings, and persimmons into cubes. Meanwhile, raspberries, strawberries, berries, and grapes can be frozen whole.

* Meat and fish should be tightly packed to avoid contact with air. Oxidation can negatively affect the appearance and taste of the product.