The process of increasing the shelf life of a food product is known as preservation. This procedure aims to slow down or diminish the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms in order to reduce the rate of decay. There are several methods such as the use of highly concentrated solutions or extreme temperatures to kill the microorganisms. Here are some effective ways to preserve food.
High heat
This method involves the use of extremely high temperatures which result in the killing of bacteria and enzymes. Boiling food items at such temperatures is an ideal method of preservation as the microorganisms cannot withstand such high temperatures. However, it is important to ensure that the food is stored in a sealed jar once it has been exposed to the heat.
Freeze
Similar to the procedure of boiling, this method involves storing food at the negative end of the temperature spectrum by using very low temperatures. Using cold storage transportation to transfer food from one place to another is an ideal method to store food while sending it from place to place. Similarly, several supermarkets and food chains also use this easy technique to preserve food.
Pickling
Another effective method of preserving food is the use of highly concentrated solutions in which the food is dipped and stored. Common solutions include either salt, sugar, alcohol or acidic substances which does not allow the microorganisms to grow. Unlike cold storage QLD and boiling, this method works in a distinct way for different types of food. Fruits can be preserved in sugar solutions whereas vegetables require salt mediums.
Drying
Foods that consist of a high moisture content have a faster rate of decay compared to other foods. Therefore, an ideal method of preservation would be drying food to get rid of excess moisture. Removing moisture using an oven or placing it under the sun for a few hours should do the trick. This method is usually used to preserve certain vegetables, fish and herbs.On a daily basis, the issue of reducing the decay rate of food is constantly present. Therefore, it is important to understand which methods work best for which type of food and use it accordingly.
