We&rsquo ;ve all had food fall victim to freezer burn; the light, dried out areas that can appear on frozen food, making it unpalatable. Here’s how to prevent it.
What Is Freezer Burn?
Frozen food, when poorly wrapped or frozen for too long can eventually develop freezer burn. Ice crystals form on top of the surface of the food, and the food itself becomes discolored and dried out.
Although it is not dangerous to eat food has developed freezer burn, the freezer burned food smells and tastes, well….yucky. The cardboard-like smell and nasty taste occur because fats in the food become oxidized, creating chemical products that make the food taste and small bad.
What Causes Freezer Burn?
Cold air is dry air, whether it is in the great outdoors or behind the door of your freezer. Water evaporates easily into dry air. This is why skin has a tendency to become dry in the winter. Well, food also contains moisture. When it is placed in the freezer, the water in the food expands as it freezes and forms ice crystals. If frozen food is poorly wrapped, water molecules can evaporate from the surface of the crystals, leaving a dehydrated spot on the food.
How to Prevent Freezer Burn
The key to avoiding freezer burn is to wrap items as tightly as possible to prevent the water from evaporating from the food. Here are the steps to properly prepare food for freezing:
- If you buy large portions of meat, fruit and vegetables in bulk, first separate the food item into portions that correspond to the amount you would typically need for preparing a meal.
- If the food is a solid item, such as a slab of meat, wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap. If the food item is composed of small pieces or is liquid, fill a small freezer bag, making sure to remove air bubbles from the bag before sealing the zipper.
- Once you have the separate portions sealed in plastic wrap or small freezer bags, place them into a large freezer bag, again removing the air pockets before sealing the bag.
- Take the time to clearly label the bag with the name of the food item and the date. Frozen food does not keep forever, and the longer it remains frozen, the more likely it will develop freezer burn, even if properly wrapped.
For more information on preserving food and preventing freezer burn, see the:
- National Center for Food Preservation
- Library of Congress: Everyday Mysteries – What Is Freezer Burn?
