Food preservation is a well-known scientific field that focuses on keeping food from decomposing or spoiling so that it can be kept in good shape for later use. Food preservation guarantees that the food's nutritional value, edibility, and quality are maintained.
In order to reduce rancidity, preservation entails inhibiting the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes as well as delaying the oxidation of lipids. Additionally, the procedure guarantees that there is no ageing or discolouration.
Sealing is another step in preservation that keeps microorganisms from re-entering. Food preservation makes sure that food is kept in an edible state. Learn some easy steps to preserve your food during this wet season.
Easy Ways Preserve Off-Season Fruits In Rainy Season
Drying
By lowering water activity, this technique stops the growth of microorganisms. Drying makes food lighter, making carrying it easier. In addition to contemporary uses such as bed dryers, fluidised bed dryers, shelf dryers, freeze drying, spray drying, commercial food dehydrators, and household ovens, drying can be done with the sun or the wind. Fruits and meats such as apples, apricots, and grapes can be dried using this technique.
Smoking
Food is cooked, flavoured, and preserved through the process of smoking, which involves exposing it to wood-burning smoke. Most frequently, meats and fish are smoked due to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. There are several ways to smoke, including smoke roasting, smoke baking, cold smoking, and hot smoking. As a preservative, smoking raises the risk of cancer.
Read More: 5 Exotic Fruits That Are Available In India
Pickling And Salting
Pickling, sometimes called curing, is the process of removing moisture from goods like meat. Food can be pickled by immersing it in a brine (salt solution) or marinating it in vinegar (acetic acid); in Asia, pickling is done with oil. At 20% concentration, salt kills and stops the growth of microorganisms. There are several pickling techniques, such as fermentation pickling and chemical pickling. EDTA or sodium benzoate are added to commercial pickles to extend their shelf life.
Sugar-ing
Sugar can be used to preserve fruit in syrup form or crystallised form if the material to be preserved—such as candied peel and ginger—is boiled in the sugar until crystallisation occurs. Fruit that has been glazed and coated with a thin layer of sugar syrup can also be used. In addition, sugar and alcohol are utilised to preserve upscale goods like fruit in brandy.
Sealing And Jellying
Sealing cooked food in sterilised bottles and cans is known as bottling and canning. Boiling the container destroys or weakens the microorganisms. Foods are prepared in different amounts of time. The food is once more susceptible to spoiling once the can or bottle is opened. Food can be preserved by jelling it—cooking it in a substance that solidifies to create a gel. Fruits are typically stored as jam, marmalade, or fruit preserves, while pectin, which occurs naturally in fruit, is the jellying agent.
Even in the rainy seasons, there are easy ways to enjoy fresh off-season fruits. All you need to do is purchase high-quality ingredients and handle them with caution. With these hacks, you will be able to enjoy whichever fruit whenever you crave.