Blanching is a common technique used before freezing fruits, vegetables and some other foods. We already know from previous articles that freezing is a very gentle way of preserving food, which is able to preserve most of the vitamins, bioactive substances and, of course, minerals. For this reason, freezing is also the generally recommended method of long-term food storage.
Blanching foods, mostly vegetables and fruits, will achieve many benefits, but it really isn't necessary for every food.
So what are the benefits of blanching?
The blanching process inactivates enzymes present in fruits and vegetables that can cause food to spoil faster. Natural enzyme activity leads to deterioration, loss of flavour and loss of nutrients during freezing. Blanching stops the enzyme activity, thus preserving the nutrient quality and colour of the food.
Restriction of rapid reproduction of microorganisms. Blanching helps to reduce microbial activity and reduces the overall amount of microorganisms on the food surface, potentially reducing the risk of disease caused by contamination of food after thawing.
Preservation of food texture. Blanching helps preserve the texture of foods (especially vegetables and fruits) by maintaining their firmness and crispness.
Extending the freezing time. By blanching before freezing, you can extend the shelf life of foods in the freezer, even for more than half a year (but this time horizon depends on the specific type of food). Blanching helps to slow down the natural spoilage process and preserves the quality of the food for a longer period of time.
Possible disadvantages of blanching
Loss of nutrients: blanching can lead to some loss of nutrients, especially water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C and some B vitamins. However, the loss of nutrients is generally minimal and varies depending on the specific food and the blanching time. We therefore recommend that the blanching process is carried out as quickly as possible.
Texture changes: in some cases, blanching can cause slight changes in texture, which can make foods slightly softer or more tender. This may be beneficial for certain vegetables but may not be desirable for others. For example, it is desirable for runner beans to soften a little, but it is not desirable for courgettes.
Time and work: blanching adds an extra step to the freezing process that takes time and effort. This may not be necessary for all foods and some foods can be successfully frozen without blanching.
Without blanching, we can safely freeze:
Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries can be frozen without blanching. Simply wash and dry them and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
Grapes can be frozen without blanching. You can freeze them on the stalks or remove the grapes from the stalks and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer container.
Although bananas can turn brown when frozen, they can still be used in smoothies or baking. Simply peel the bananas, cut them into chunks and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and limes can be frozen without blanching. Squeeze the juice out of the fruit and freeze it in ice molds for convenient and stylish use in drinks. You can also freeze the rind ☺ (ideally from organic citrus).
So what is the blanching procedure?
- Prepare a pot of boiling water.
- Wash and chop the fruit or vegetables.
- Throw them into boiling water for a short time. Place smaller pieces in boiling water for 1-3 minutes, larger pieces or whole pieces of fruit or vegetables for up to 7-10 minutes.
- Remove the items from the boiling water and immediately transfer them to an ice bath.
- Once the food has cooled, dry the food and transfer to containers suitable for freezing and freeze.
If you don't have a lot of time for blanching, try our high quality, freeze-dried fruit in a variety of flavours. It's a great alternative, especially in the colder months when we don't have as much access to tasty fresh fruit.
