Keeping foods fresh by preventing their decay and spoilage through various methods has been an essential process both in the past and present day. Learning how to preserve food for years is a crucial component for companies and customers alike as it plays a significant role in the food market. Businesses can also profit from food preservation, especially when using techniques that can keep food edible for years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food preservation can be done in a number of ways. We\u2019ll discuss several of them here and how they can help you at home and in your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To fully appreciate food preservation, it is essential to understand what causes food spoilage in the first place. There are five main factors that may cause food to spoil: microorganisms, enzymes, oxygen, pests, and light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All types of bacteria, yeast, and mold that can grow in food are considered microorganisms. These create waste products as they consume the food, causing food to smell and taste bad [*<\/a>]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Foods contain proteins called enzymes that speed up chemical reactions in organisms. These enzymes have the power to break down nutrients, resulting in food degradation later on. Food will eventually spoil, especially with oxygen and moisture present. <\/p>\n\n\n\n An example is the ripening process of fruits due to pectin degrading enzymes like polygalacturonase, pectin methyl esterase, and lyase. This leads to fruit-tissue softening, which eventually leads to spoilage [*<\/a>]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Apart from feeding microorganisms that cause food spoilage, oxygen also causes food to break down via the process of oxidation. Carbon compounds form when fatty foods come into contact with oxygen, causing them to spoil and give off foul odors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While pests don\u2019t necessarily cause food spoilage, they can contaminate your food in other ways. Examples of these pets are mice, ants, flies, and other insects. Viruses and bacteria can then pass on from pests to humans who consume the food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Light can also cause food spoilage as some foods, such as fats, proteins, and vitamins, are sensitive to photodegradation. When it comes to specific vitamins, research shows that vitamins A and E are highly sensitive to light [*<\/a>]. Exposure can cause discoloration, nutrient loss, and eventual spoilage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to preserve food for years is to inhibit the five causes of spoilage. The best food preservation methods protect against different causes by combining several practices. The different ways of preserving food involve using heat techniques, cold techniques, chemical methods, and mechanical procedures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Below, we discuss some of the most effective preservation methods that can keep your food edible for years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Food freezing is simple and requires the use of a freezer (air-blast freezer, contact freezer, or cryogenic freezer). If you\u2019re freezing vegetables, then it\u2019s best to blanch them before freezing to halt enzyme activity. Fruits that are frozen as is contain antioxidants that will prolong storage and prevent spoilage. Placing food in vacuum-sealed containers will extend the shelf for up to several years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Food preservation is also possible with freeze drying<\/a>, otherwise known as lyophilization<\/a>. This method is different from freezing in that it involves several stages: freezing, sublimation, and adsorption<\/a>. During this process, it\u2019s possible to preserve the integrity of any food product, which is left with only 1% to 4% moisture in the final step.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nEnzymes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oxygen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Light<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Do You Store Food for Years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Best Food Preservation Methods and Techniques<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Freezing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Freeze Drying<\/h3>\n\n\n\n