What is Deep Freezing?
Deep freezing is a process that involves rapidly cooling food products to extremely low temperatures, typically between -18°C and -35°C. This intense cooling freezes the water in the food, preventing the formation of large ice crystals. By preserving the cellular structure, deep freezing maintains optimal food quality.
How does it Work?
Freezing involves several crucial steps. First, food is prepared, cleaned, cut or processed as required. Next, they are placed in freezing tunnels, where the temperature is rapidly lowered to reach the desired freezing level.
The Influence of Temperature and Time
Temperature and freezing duration are critical factors in maintaining food quality. A low and consistent temperature ensures better preservation of nutrients, flavors, and textures. Additionally, it is essential to adhere to recommended freezing times to avoid any product deterioration.
Freezing vs Deep Freezing: Differences and Benefits
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Freezing
Freezing a product involves slowly lowering its temperature below -18°C, which reduces biological activity. Freezing does not eliminate the microorganisms responsible for food degradation; it merely suspends their growth during storage at a temperature of -18°C. This domestic freezing technique is commonly known as putting your dish in the freezer! It increases the shelf life of food. However, freezing can lead to the formation of crystals that may alter the properties of the food, such as meat tenderness.
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Deep Freezing
Deep freezing is a technique used in the food industry that rapidly transforms the water within food into ice at extremely low temperatures below -30°C. Unlike frozen products, deep-frozen products are quickly "put to sleep" and then stabilized at -18°C. The rapid transformation allows for the fine crystallization of water, limiting cellular destruction and preventing the proliferation of microorganisms. At Cool&Simple, we use deep freezing for all our products, ensuring better quality and longer shelf life for the food.
Preservation of taste and food quality
Preservation of taste and food quality
Processing food at very low temperatures helps lock in freshness, texture, and flavor. Fruits and vegetables are harvested when ripe and immediately frozen to preserve their taste and quality. In contrast, those found in major grocery stores are picked long before they ripen and undergo significant temperature fluctuations. The same applies to frozen fish, which often offers higher quality than fresh fish sold up to 14 days after being caught due to handling and transport times.
Conservation of nutritional value
Conservation of nutritional value
At Cool & Simple, we attach great importance to preserving the nutritional values in our frozen foods. Freezing preserves most essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, for tasty, healthy and balanced dishes!
Reduction of food waste
Reduction of food waste
Another advantage of freezing is its important role in the combat against food waste. By prioritizing frozen foods, you cut down on waste and manage your quantities more efficiently. At Cool & Simple, reducing our carbon footprint and engaging in responsible initiatives is our daily passion!
Convenience and time-saving in the kitchen
Convenience and time-saving in the kitchen
Frozen foods are a time-saving and efficient option for your kitchen. Skip the prep (washing, chopping, storing fruits/vegetables) and complex recipes, and take advantage of the simplicity freezing offers for your daily meals. Explore our prepared meals for fast, balanced meal options.
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Deep Freezing Standards and Regulations
Maintaining the cold chain is crucial for preserving the quality of frozen products and preventing the proliferation of bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses among consumers. It is essential to control the internal temperature of the food, as it is a determining factor for the growth of microorganisms. Here are some temperature standards for storage: Frozen foods: maximum temperature of -18°C; Refrigerated foods: maximum temperature of 4°C; Hot foods: minimum temperature of 60°C.
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Good practices for handling and storing frozen foods
Cool & Simple products can be stored for 9 to 18 months (depending on the items) if kept at -18°C. Once defrosted, they can be kept in the refrigerator and have the same shelf life as fresh products. If in doubt, refer to our packaging and labels. To safely defrost a frozen product, remove it from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator, microwave, or cold water if it is in waterproof packaging. Never leave your food on the countertop, as defrosting at room temperature allows bacteria to multiply and increases the risk of food poisoning. Also, do not refreeze a completely thawed food item.
