By Bornika Das
August 1, 2023
Natural preservatives has been used since centuries and the most common being salt and vinegar. However, there are several other natural preservatives that we don’t know about. With people seeking healthier and sustainable options, these natural alternatives can help you ditch the chemical ones. Read to know more.
When it comes to natural preservatives, vinegar remains on top of the list. It has acetic acid in it which inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeasts and moulds. That is why, vinegar is used for making pickles, preserving fruits and vegetables.
Derived from citric fruits, citric acid is a natural antioxidant that extends the shelf life of food products by preventing oxidation and microbial growth.
It is an ancient and natural preservative that has been widely used since centuries. It helps in preserving meat, fish, and vegetables by extracting moisture and creating inhospitable environment for bacteria.
High sugar concentration in jams, jellies and syrup acts as preservatives by binding water inhibiting microbial growth.
The low water content in honey, plus the high acidicty and natural antioxidants make it an excellent preservative for certain foods like honey-preservative foods.
This herb contains natural antioxidants, such as rosemarinic acid, and carnosic acid which help prevent oxidation and maintains freshness of oil or fat
The essential oil from cloves has antimicrobial properties, making it suitable for preserving pickles and other foods.
The anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties of cinnamon has been used for centuries to preserve food, particularly in baking and pickling.
Oregano contains compounds like thymol, and carvacrol which possess strong antimicrobial properties, making it useful as a natural food preservative.
Cranberries are rich in antioxidant, particularly proanthocyanidins, which can extend the shelf life of certain products.