FINDING THE RIGHT FOOD PRESERVATION METHOD
My Food Storage LLC. 4000 E Highway 6 Spanish Fork, UT 84660 888 407 0833
People throughout history have always had the need for food preservation. Either for travel or for emergencies, they have sought reliable methods to store food for a long time. From simple sun drying to a more complicated canning technique, procedures for food preservation continually evolve to fit the needs of the society. Here are a few methods that are still in practice today, the lengths of preservation, and applications. Fermentation This type of preservation method relies on encouraging the growth of good bacteria, fungi, or yeast. These microbes convert substances in the food to alcohol or acid that helps preserve the food. Depending on the type of fermentation, the preserved food may last decades and the taste may even improve. Examples are wines, cheese, chocolate (before cooking), cured meat, and coffee. Dehydration Drying the food until it contains as less moisture as possible helps keep its edibility up for a couple of decades. Similar
to
fermentation,
different
methods can indicate the longevity of the preserved product. Sun drying can keep food edible for about six months, while the more complicated method of freeze- drying can help food last up to 25 years. A more popular home drying method with the help of ovens and
food
dehydrators
preserve most meats and produce.
can
Canning This method keeps the food from external
elements
that
may
cause
spoilage. It does not preserve the food as well as other techniques, but it retains the product’s freshness as much as possible. Home canned products like vegetables,
fruits,
soups,
jams,
and
jellies can last for a couple of months or more. On the other hand, commercially canned
items
mostly
found
in
supermarkets can last up to two years.. Food preservation usually includes equipment, stabilizing substances, or both. Each process aims to draw out as many elements as possible that encourage the growth of bad bacteria. This may be moisture, excess air pockets in the food item, or microorganisms. Once the food is away from these factors, it may last for months or even decades.
RESOURCES: http://www.myfoodstorage.com/ http://www.motherearthliving.com/cooking-methods/food-preservation-methodszmoz12sozmel.aspx?PageId=2 http://www.homepreservingbible.com/630-an-overview-of-10-home-food-preservationmethods-from- ancient-to-modern/ http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/food-preservation-methods-canning-freezingand-dry.html