Preserve Fresh Produce with Dry Ice
Dry ice can help keep fresh produce at its best.
A complete kitchen includes a well-stocked pantry. Although it is a given that one should have everything one needs, like eggs, milk, bread, and beverages, it is also wise to keep your home stocked with food that can last long-term as well. It is always good to be prepared with canned and dried goods rather than your everyday items. However, in times of need, you can still enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables too. With the help of dry ice, you can preserve fresh produce and enjoy it months later.
Why Use Dry Ice?
Dry ice is not a substance that the regular person uses every day, and may seem like a daunting tool to use. Although it does require care when handling, it is an invaluable tool for all kinds of purposes, including food preservation. Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide, sitting at about -109.3 degrees Fahrenheit. It sublimates over time, turning directly into a gas. This, in turn, reduces the oxygen in the compartment with the dry ice, which helps preserve fresh produce.
Preserving Fresh Fruits
Preparing fresh fruits for a long freeze is easy to do; some need no preparation, while others may only need slicing. Fruits that tend to brown, such as apples, stay freshest when sliced and covered with dissolved ascorbic acid (or lemon juice.) Citrus fruits should also be sliced. Stone fruits should have the pits removed, as they can leach a bitter taste into the fruit over time. Berries and bananas, meanwhile, can remain intact. If you want to preserve tomatoes, it is best to remove the skin and core first.
Preserving Fresh Vegetables
You can still thrive on greens any time of year by freezing them raw or blanched. To blanch your vegetables, place in boiling water for an appropriate amount of time before removing them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, squash, potatoes, beans, peas, and corn benefit from blanching before freezing. Meanwhile, bell peppers and onions keep best when raw.
Placement of Dry Ice in Freezers
The best compartments for freezing food with dry ice include an insulated cooler, a refrigerator, or an extra freezer. Wrap your dry ice in newspaper or cloth first. If you are freezing the fresh produce short-term, placing them in a cooler with the dry ice on top is a good option. If you are facing a power outage, you can put dry ice at the bottom of your refrigerator and the top or middle of the freezer.
Dry Ice For All Your Needs
Dry Ice Corp is the largest regional supplier of dry ice and related products in the Northeastern United States. Our dry ice is fresh and delivered right to your doorstep. We are happy to help you determine the best way to ship your goods, whether you have a huge amount of cookies or a single pie, and help you select the perfect amount of dry ice for the job. Give us a call at (201) 767-3200 or contact us online for a quote. To connect with us online, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
