Few issues will be extra disappointing than discovering your favourite tub of ice cream coated with a crunchy sheet of frost that appears prefer it got here straight out of a scene from Narnia. Apart from the preliminary ick issue and barely off-putting texture, I’m normally left questioning if my freezer-burn-ridden container of beloved Ben & Jerry’s Phish Meals is definitely fit for human consumption anymore. I imply, this technically melted for god is aware of how lengthy and re-froze, proper? I will marvel. To seek out out the scientific rationalization about what’s actually happening, we spoke with a meals scientist who put this lifelong dilemma to relaxation.
Briefly, it seems that *most* meals with freezer burn is normally a-okay; nevertheless, with regards to sure meals like meat, it might be a warning signal that one thing larger is at play. So, what’s one of the best ways to maintain freezer burn from occurring, when must you truly half methods with an excessively frosty ingredient, and what’s the logical rationalization for all of this insanity? We now have solutions for you—and it’s actually NBD.
What causes freezer burn to happen
To be taught extra in regards to the chemical response that happens when meals enters the freezer, we spoke with Natalie Alibrandi, a London-based meals scientist and CEO of Nali Consulting, for the lowdown. “Freezer burn is brought on by oxidation and dehydration. If meals is left within the freezer for too lengthy or it is not saved in an hermetic bundle, the elements which are uncovered to the air will be topic to freezer burn,” Alibrandi says. Is sensible… however isn’t the freezer meant to protect meals in any respect prices?
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“In essence, freezer burn is the water content material of the meals rising to the floor and inflicting crystal-like buildings. This course of is often known as sublimation, which has similarities to evaporation. Nevertheless, on this case, the water bypasses the liquid part and turns into fuel,” Alibrandi says. Thus, when meals makes its strategy to the freezer however has had a while to thaw, it will probably develop into vulnerable to this pesky chemical response.
So is meals with freezer burn fit for human consumption?
“Sure! Freezer-burnt meals are fit for human consumption. Sadly, as a consequence of dehydration and oxidation, [freezer burn] will drastically change the feel and style of your meals,” Alibrandi says. Though it might look unappetizing, she says that meals that has undergone the sublimation response isn’t essentially a sign of spoilage. Nevertheless, she does advise that it’s greatest to take away sections of meat or crystalized greens which were uncovered to freezer burn, because it’ll considerably influence its style and texture as a result of moisture loss.
The easiest way to stop freezer burn
To forestall freezer burn, Alibrandi recommends all the time utilizing hermetic containers and freezer-proof packaging to scale back the chance of sublimation. “In reality, vacuum packing meals to stop air from coming into contact with it is without doubt one of the greatest methods to maintain ice from forming,” she says.
In the end, nevertheless, Alibrandi cautious that any meals that has been uncovered to air is liable to freezer burn. To minimize the possibilities, she says you must hold most meals frozen just for a brief interval earlier than utilizing them and ensure they’re dried off after they go into the freezer. “Greens and fruits will be saved for as much as 12 months whereas meats and fish ought to be lower than six months,” Alibrandi provides.
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On this TikTok video by @thiscraftyhome, Rachel affords three suggestions for stopping freezer burn in any respect prices. First, she explains that you must retailer meals with as little publicity to air as attainable, echoing Alibrandi’s sentiments. Subsequent, Rachel says that it’s important to guarantee that meals is as chilly as attainable earlier than it goes into the freezer. To take action, she recommends placing it within the fridge beforehand after which transferring it over to the freezer as soon as it’s very chilly. Lastly, she says you shouldn’t place too many heat gadgets within the freezer without delay, as it will probably drastically enhance the temperature and go away meals much more susceptible to succumbing to the consequences of sublimation. Only one extra excuse for me to refill on Ben & Jerry’s this summer time, no?
Now that you understand how to stop freezer burn, listed below are a number of wholesome freezer meals to refill on {that a} dietitian swears by:
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