February 18, 2024 | 05:43 pm PT
My household usually shops loads of frozen meat and fish. Is it protected to thaw these meals with scorching water, and can their vitamins be preserved if I achieve this? (Thuong, 22, Nghe An)
Reply:
Freezing is an efficient technique for preserving meals. Nevertheless, improper thawing strategies, equivalent to utilizing scorching water, can result in spoilage, nutrient loss, altered style, and degradation of meals high quality.
Thawing frozen meat and fish with scorching water particularly could cause overcooking, nutrient loss, diminished taste, and spoilage. Moreover, scorching water usually solely thaws the outer layer of the meals, leaving the within frozen and probably unhygienic.
To your security, it is strongly recommended to thaw frozen meals slowly by transferring it from the freezer to the fridge compartment. Alternatively, you may thaw meals naturally at room temperature. It’s essential to make use of the meals instantly after thawing.
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Frozen uncooked fish slices. Illustration photograph by Freepik |
One other really useful thawing technique includes including salt and vinegar to water, stirring nicely till the answer is totally dissolved. Though this technique requires time, it ensures that the meals thaws safely and stays scrumptious.
In conditions the place fast thawing is important, utilizing a microwave or submerging the tightly wrapped meals in a bowl of chilly water might be efficient.
You will need to do not forget that as soon as meals has been thawed, it shouldn’t be refrozen, even when totally cooked, to keep away from the danger of bacterial contamination, nutrient loss, and meals poisoning. Moreover, keep away from freezing foods for prolonged intervals to forestall potential destructive well being results.
Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh
Institute of Meals Expertise and Biotechnology, Hanoi College of Science and Expertise