Some people believe that there is absolutely no benefit from frozen vegetables and fruits, while others, on the contrary, are convinced that these products can become a real salvation for the body.
Let’s try to figure out who is right?
How really?
In reality, “fresh” vegetables or fruits from the supermarket can be even more harmful than frozen!
As for the fresh products that the consumer buys in the supermarket, they often turn out to be far from as fresh as the buyer wants to think. The reason for this is that it can take days, if not weeks, for fruits and vegetables to be delivered to the point of sale – the vegetables are cut long before they are ripe and ripen in the process (or not at all).
Frozen vegetables and fruits freeze almost immediately after harvesting. That’s why they store vitamins and antioxidants right up to the moment when food is prepared from them.
Frozen foods are more useful than fresh ones?
Recent studies have led scientists to such an unexpected conclusion. Such products may contain more vitamins and nutrients. In addition, in terms of nutritional properties, they can be compared with fresh ones. Antioxidants, including vitamin C, polyphenols, anthocyanins, lutein, and beta-carotene, are better preserved in frozen foods.
Nowadays, a quick method of shock freezing is used.
Unlike an ordinary refrigerator, which requires up to 2-3 hours for freezing, blowing with an air stream at a temperature of -35 ° C ensures freezing of the product in 20-30 minutes.
Technology allows you to preserve the maximum amount of valuable nutrients, as well as taste and attractive appearance in vegetables and fruits, mushrooms and berries.
Isn’t it better to freeze the fruits of the summer harvest at home, you ask?
Let’s answer directly: no, not better.
The fact is that household freezers cannot provide the necessary conditions for quick freezing. The temperature will decrease gradually, the juice will turn into large ice crystals, cell membranes will be damaged and the lion’s share of nutrients will be lost.
How to choose?
1. Feel the package (it should be intact, without tears and scratches). If the products stick together, it may mean that they have already been thawed and frozen a second time. It is better to avoid such products.
2. Buy frozen foods before you go to the checkout. It is better if they “reach” home in a cooler bag. Immediately put the package in the freezer!At a temperature of -6 °C, they can be stored for 1-2 weeks, at -12 °C – 4-6 weeks, at -18 °C – up to 1 year.
3. You should not wash hermetically packed frozen vegetables, fruits or berries.Fresh-frozen vegetables, berries, fruits are recommended to be thawed in a pot partially filled with water, under a closed lid. Frozen vegetables can be cooked without defrosting, increasing the cooking time by about 1/3. The best way to get a really healthy dish is to quickly boil vegetables in a small amount of water or steam them. Immerse them in boiling water in frozen form, and season immediately before use.
