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2007-03-06 18:42:02 · 2 answers · asked by warly d 1 in Food & Drink Cooking & Recipes

2 answers

Freezer burn (alternately spelled freezerburn) is a condition that occurs when frozen food has been damaged by ice crystals, due to air reaching the food. It is generally induced by substandard (non-airtight) packaging.


Effects
Freezer burn often results in change of texture and discoloration of the affected food. It appears as grayish to brown leathery spots on the food, resulting from chemical changes in the food's pigment.

Although freezer burn affects the quality of food, it does not make the food unsafe or unhealthy to eat. It produces dry spots, which can be cut away either before or after cooking. Freezer burn will give food a metallic taste similar to copper; heavily freezer-burned foods may lose their flavor entirely.


Prevention
Freezer burn occurs when air reaches the food's surface and dries out the product. This can happen especially when food is not securely wrapped in air-tight packaging. Therefore, the best way of avoiding it when freezing food in plastic bags is to push all the air out before sealing. Another way of avoiding freezer burn is to avoid circulating outside air into the freezer. Exposure to relatively warm air can cause temperature fluctuations, which can in turn cause freezer burn.

If the freezer has a temperature setting, it is best to set the freezer to the lowest temperature, slowing the ability of the water molecules inside the food from working to the surface and drying out the food.

2007-03-06 18:50:20 · answer #1 · answered by bomullock 5 · 1 0

Freezer burn occurs when food isn't wrapped properly

2007-03-07 16:46:38 · answer #2 · answered by Murray H 6 · 0 0

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