What is Immersion Freezing?
Immersion freezing is a method of commercially preparing frozen foods so that the product remains suitable for consumption over a long period of time. The process helps to lock in moisture as well as maintain the flavor and taste of the processed food. Here is some information on the process of immersion freezing and why the process has proven to be so successful in the food industry.
One of the chief applications of immersion freezing has to do with the preparation of meats and poultry for use in frozen foods such as frozen entrees and cuts of meat. Essentially, the met is exposed to liquid nitrogen. Generally, the time for exposure is somewhere between six and ten seconds. This type of flash freezing helps to lock in important vitamins and nutrients as well as delay the process of decomposition. Meats and poultry that have been prepared for use in frozen dinners are normally cooked to specifications, then subjected to immersion freezing. However, such items as uncooked chicken tenders and beef patties may also be preserved using immersion freezing.
Both raw and cooked fruits and vegetables are often preserved with immersion freezing. Because of the rapid freeze that occurs, immersion freezing allows the foods to retain their color and texture for long periods of time. They also help to maintain the nutrient content of the vegetables, making them similar to fresh fruits and vegetables when it comes to steaming, braising or broiling the vegetables. Combinations of cooked vegetables, such as in frozen soup mixes, are also often preserved using the process of immersion freezing.
Another advantage of immersion freezing is that the process helps to prevent the escape of steam after the food has been cooked. This is important when a food manufacturer is preparing packaged dinners, as the presence of steam could cause the container to burst or tear after the product has been packaged. With immersion freezing, there is no chance for pressure from within the package to burst the container and thus expose the product to the open air.
Immersion freezing has made it possible to mass-produce a wide variety of frozen foods that can serve as an alternative to canned and fresh foods. Because the process makes it possible for food to retain color, texture, and nutritional value, many people prefer to use foods prepared by immersion freezing. This is especially true with seasonal foods that are not widely available at all times of the year.
Written by Malcolm Tatum
