What berries and fruits should not be frozen. Nutritionist

President of the Association of Nutritionists and Health Coaches (ANCH)

Which berries and fruits are not recommended to freeze and why?

Is it possible to freeze berries

Frozen berries are a natural source of vitamins in the fall and winter period. Quality kitchen appliances allow you to freeze many fruits, preserving their benefits, texture and flavor.

Freezing berries and fruits is the best option for vitamin preparations for the winter. Cold is a natural and safe preservative, which, unlike sugar and long cooking, does not destroy up to 70% of useful substances and vitamins. Another strong argument in favor of freezing is the absence of sugar in the preparation.

But harmful and even dangerous can become any berries or fruits, if you neglect the rules of freezing. We tell you which fruits should not be frozen and why it’s not about the variety.

What berries and fruits should not be frozen

Unwashed

It is strictly forbidden to freeze unwashed berries. In poorly washed fruits can be insect larvae and mold, fungus, other harmful microflora. Mold can spread throughout the berries in the container and eventually lead to poisoning.

Berries may also have traces of animal feces, which serve as vectors for various diseases, including tuberculosis. Dysentery is the most harmless consequence of eating unwashed berries compared to serious illnesses caused by poor kitchen hygiene.

Spoiled

You can freeze any berries and even juicy peaches, but before freezing, they must be thoroughly washed and picked, so that the preparation does not get spoiled fruits.

Already defrosted

Do not subject the preparations to repeated freezing, since berries and fruits with repeated defrosting become a favorable environment for the reproduction of microorganisms that cause rotting. And this can cause food poisoning.

Frozen berries and fruits: useful products and rules of home freezing
In recent years, frozen berries and fruits offered in supermarkets have become increasingly popular. They are great for creating wonderful desserts, smoothies and other dishes. But how healthy are these frozen foods and how to properly freeze fresh berries and fruits at home?

Are frozen berries and fruits useful?

Rustem Sadykov

nutritionist, gastroenterologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences, clinical pharmacologist, head of AlfaBiom company.

Frozen berries and fruits contain many useful substances, vitamins and minerals. They retain most of their nutritional properties due to the freezing process, which slows down oxidation and destruction of substances at relatively low temperatures.

However, it is worth noting that freezing turns some of the water in berries and fruits into ice crystals, which can affect their texture after defrosting. However, this fact does not affect the nutritional value of the product.

The advantages of frozen berries and fruits are:

Long-term preservation of nutrients. Frozen foods retain their nutritional properties for a long time. This allows you to enjoy fruits and berries year-round when they are out of season or unavailable fresh.

Ease of use. Frozen berries and fruits are easy to store and use in a variety of dishes such as smoothies, yogurts, puddings, desserts and ice cream. They require no additional processing before use and are always ready to eat.

Problem-free transportation. Frozen berries and fruits can be easily transported without the risk of damage or spoilage. This is especially convenient for traveling or on vacation, when fresh produce can go to waste or spoil.

How to properly freeze berries and fruits at home

To enjoy berries and fruit year-round, follow these simple rules for properly freezing food at home:

1. Prepare fresh berries and fruits by removing any damaged or overripe specimens. Rinse them well with cold water to remove dirt and dust.

2. Once the berries and fruit have been washed, leave them to dry on a paper towel or sieve. Please make sure they are completely dry.

3. Take suitable containers or bags for freezing. Transparent plastic bags with a zipper or containers with a tight-fitting lid are the best choice for storing frozen berries and fruits.

4. Transfer the food to the containers or bags. Distribute them evenly inside without overloading too much food in one place.

5. If you are freezing large fruits such as apples or peaches, cut them into small pieces to make freezing easier.

6. Close containers or seal bags tightly to prevent the food from being exposed to moisture or air. If you have a vacuum packer, use it to remove air from the package. This will help keep the food fresh and prevent frost from forming.

7. Make sure each container or bag has the freezing date on it. This will help you keep track of how long berries and fruit have been in the freezer.

8. Keep track of the freezing time. Berries usually take about 2-3 hours to freeze, but fruit can take up to 4-6 hours depending on its size and type.

9. Once the berries and fruit are completely frozen, transfer them to airtight plastic or glass containers to seal them more thoroughly. Make sure you also label them with the date they were frozen.

10. Return the food to the freezer and store it at -18°C or below.

Following these step-by-step instructions will help you keep your berries and fruit in perfect condition. Prepare them fresh when you need them and enjoy their flavor.

How to store frozen berries and fruits in the freezer

Frozen berries can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months, but as long as the temperature is no higher than -18°C. If it’s above -12°C, you can’t store them for longer than four months.

Remember the rule for frozen fruit: freeze quickly, defrost slowly. Defrost gradually: at room temperature, placed on the kitchen table, or in the refrigerator.

I note that the fruit and berry flavor becomes deeper when drying fruits, and when freezing it decreases, because the frost hides and seals odors. Dried fruits reveal the flavor of essential oils when you brew or warm them. By the way, about how to properly dry berries and fruits, read in the material at the link.

Store berries in the depth of the freezer, because near the door or closer to the edge of the freezer temperature fluctuates due to frequent opening, and this reduces the shelf life of products.