How much can and how to store frozen berries in the freezer

Fresh berries are a source of vitamins and minerals, so adding them to your diet is recommended. Useful gifts of nature have a positive effect on the human body: they strengthen the heart, blood vessels, the immune system and have an antioxidant effect. They are used for food, added to desserts, baked goods. Fruits become a source of vitamins in winter if stored properly. Let's see how long frozen berries can be stored in the freezer.

What factors affect the shelf life of frozen berries?

The shelf life of frozen fruits is influenced by various nuances that must be taken into account. The peculiarity of the canning method also affects the preservation of nutrients, the development of microorganisms. The shrinking process and weight loss lead to a reduction in the shelf life of the berries. Low temperature conditions reduce the weight loss process of products. For example, at -40 the pullback occurs slower than at -20.

The temperature set in the freezer compartment is not an actual reading.Old-fashioned refrigerator chambers let in a percentage of the heat, reducing the shelf life of the berries. The safety of the harvested crop depends on the processing method. The best way is shock freezing. After washing and drying, the berries are folded on a flat surface, which is placed in the freezer.

Then the products are placed in a storage container. Even after a year, freezing preserves the beneficial qualities of the culture.

Packaging requirements

To freeze berry blanks, two types of containers are used:

1. Plastic bags - it is advisable to purchase special freezer bags for these purposes. They are distinguished by a dense structure, therefore, they are resistant to mechanical damage. They have a lock on the side for easy use. It is undesirable to use this container for soft-textured berries.
2. Plastic containers - choose containers that are resistant to low temperatures. The container must have a sealed lid. The containers can be easily folded on the shelf and do not take up much space.

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For any type of container, it is recommended to purchase special stickers on which the packing date should be indicated. It is convenient to use plastic containers of a rectangular shape. Choose dishes with solid walls, an airtight lid. It is convenient to freeze the product in portions, so you do not have to thaw the entire package.

How many vitamins are lost?

The question of whether frozen berries are still useful is attracting increased interest among users. Subject to freezing conditions, the vitamin-mineral complex of berries is almost completely preserved.Scientific research has shown that vitamins are best preserved when berries are quickly frozen to a temperature of -25. Only in this case, the liquid inside the fruit will not have time to crystallize and damage the cells.

With shock freezing, the berries lose up to 20% of their beneficial properties, with preservation the loss is 50%, with drying it reaches 70%. The time of harvest also affects the usefulness of the product.The sooner it goes into the freezer, the more vitamins it will store. Vitamins of group B, C are most rapidly lost and disappear from fruits with pronounced acidity. They are eaten first. These berries include: sea buckthorn, strawberries, currants.

Storage periods

You can store fresh frozen berries for 9-12 months. These fruits include: cherries, cranberries, lingonberries. They can be kept for up to 9 months while retaining their useful qualities: blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries. The lower the temperature, the longer the harvest takes. The table shows the relationship between temperature and storage time:

Freeze dry

This method of freezing does not affect the quality of the product. It allows you to evenly freeze the product without losing its original appearance. The freshly harvested crop is stored in containers or plastic bags, which are folded in the freezer. Store under the same temperature conditions as for normal freezing.

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Puree and syrups

Berries of irregular shapes and sizes take up a lot of storage space in the freezer, so experienced housewives turn them into mash. Crushed fruit oxidizes faster and therefore has a shorter shelf life.It is advisable to store such a product no more than 8 months.

Lovers of sweet desserts use the proven method - they put fresh crops with sugar syrup in the freezer. This consistency does not harden well, so the shelf life of this form of berries is reduced to 6 months.

Advantages and disadvantages of the storage method

Storing your garden harvest in the freezer is the only right decision that will help you preserve the benefits of the berries as much as possible. One of the main advantages of this method is the possibility of enjoying a seasonal product in winter. Frozen berries do not contain any harmful microorganisms, contain less lead, pesticides, cadmium. Bacteria cannot grow in frozen foods. The loss of nutrients and vitamins occurs in a minimal amount.

The disadvantages of the method include:

• non-compliance with the shelf life can lead to intoxication, indigestion;
• fruits are able to absorb extraneous odors;
• no possibility of refreezing.

But these inconveniences can be avoided by respecting the shelf life, the correct packaging of the products in the container provided for this purpose. Frozen berries are only surpassed by freshly harvested crops in terms of quality. In other cases, this method of preserving food is considered justified. By following storage tips and rules, you can enjoy healthy fruit from your garden all year round.