Can you freeze fruit?

In his brief guide we will answer the query, “can you freeze fruit?”. We will discuss the proper ways to freeze fruits. We will get to know the benefits and drawbacks of freezing fruits along with how to safely thaw frozen fruits and if frozen fruits spoil.

Can you freeze fruit?

Yes, you can freeze fruits. It is very easy and convenient to freeze your fruits to use them for a longer duration. Freezing the fresh fruits extends their shelf life for upto 1 year (1,2). 

How can you freeze your fruits?

You can freeze your fruits by following some useful tips (1,2).

• You can freeze all kinds of fruits.
• First of all, wash your fresh fruits once you bring them home to remove all the dirt from them.
• To freeze bigger fruits like watermelon and melon you need to cut them into smaller pieces and remove their rings with the help of a sharp knife.
• Once the rind is removed now they are good to freeze.
• Do not wash your fruits after cutting them.
• For smaller fruits like apples, pears, and guava you can cut them with their peel on.
• If you want to freeze berries, like strawberries, raspberries, or any kind of berries. You need to wash them properly before and dry them well. If you are freezing them without drying they will get soggy and mushy.
• Smaller fruits are easier to store and they can be easily used in your smoothies, shakes, and pies.
• Once you have cut all your vegetables now you need a tray and put parchment paper on it.
• Spread your fruits on the paper and freeze them for 3-4 hours.
• Once they are hardened you can put them in the zip lock bags and do not forget to mention the date.
• Do not forget to remove all the air from the bag this will prevent the freeze burn.
• Just defrost them at room temperature when you are ready to use them.
• If you want them for smoothies and juices then you do not need to thaw your fruits they will go well.

If you are storing fruits for a longer time period then you need to buy fresh fruits from the market. Freezing the old ones will promote bacterial and fungal growth in them. They will also increase the risk of cross-contamination in the freezer (3).

You can also freeze the leftover fruit pieces that you can later add to your fruit juices and smoothies. They can be used in smoothies, desserts, and in other dishes.

What are the benefits of freezing fruits?

The benefits of freezing fruits are (1,2,4):

• The first and the utmost benefit is you can save your meal preparation time by cutting and freezing your fruits already.
• Another benefit is that by freezing fruits you can preserve their nutritional content, particularly vitamins and minerals, due to the minimal loss during freezing.
• If your fruits are getting ripe then freezing is the best option and by doing this you are reducing food waste and extending their shelf life.
• Fruits do not go bad when you freeze them in the freezer for 1 year but the condition is you have to maintain the temperature.
• Freezing your fruits reduces the risk of bacterial and mould growth on your fruits which are the major reasons for fruit spoilage.
• By freezing, fruits can be eaten all year, even when they are out of season.
• Freezing the fruits in the air-tight container prevents the enzymatic browning of the fruits. Enzymatic browning causes the fruits to become black. This also alters the taste and texture of fruits.

What are the drawbacks of freezing fruits?

One of the main drawbacks of freezing fruits is that freezing can cause changes in the texture and flavor of fruits because of ice crystals formation. When ice crystals develop during freezing, the cell structure may be harmed, resulting in a softer or mushier texture after thawing. Some fruits, especially those with a high water content, may lose their crispness or turn watery after being frozen (5,6,7).

Freezing fruits also can cause chilling injury  and may be particularly susceptible to decay (9).

In addition, depending on the type of fruit and length of storage, the freezing process can potentially damage some fruits’ nutrients, such as vitamin C and specific enzymes (6).

Also, repeated freezing and thawing cycles may have a negative impact on the fruit’s quality. If you want to reduce these negative effects, it’s essential to select fruits that are at their freshest, use suitable packaging methods to prevent damage from freezing, and consume the frozen fruits as soon as possible for the best flavor and texture (7).

How to safely thaw frozen fruits?

The safest method for thawing frozen fruits is to transfer them from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow them to thaw slowly.This slow thawing reduces the growth of dangerous bacteria, which can multiply quickly at room temperature (8). 

To defrost frozen sweet potatoes more quickly, you can also put it in a leak-proof plastic bag and submerge it in cold water (8).

Do not thaw fruits in hot water or at room temperature because these methods can cause uneven thawing, texture loss, and possibly the growth of bacteria (8). 

Fruits that have been thawed can be eaten straight out of the freezer or used in recipes. Any leftovers must be refrigerated right away and eaten within a few days to maintain food safety (8).

Do frozen fruits spoil?

In general, no. Frozen fruits have a long shelf life and do not spoil like other fresh fruits due to the method of freezing. As we said, freezing significantly slows down or halts the activity of enzymes, microorganisms, and chemical reactions that contribute to fruit spoilage preserving them for at least 1 year (1,8).

However, while frozen fruits don’t spoil in the same way as fresh fruits, they can still undergo quality deterioration over time, such as freezer burn that occurs when the fruit’s internal moisture evaporates, exposing the fruit’s surface to the air; and enzymatic reaction which can still occur to some extent and may lead to changes in texture, color, and taste, even though slowed down by freezing (7).

Conclusion 

In his brief guide we answered the query, “can you freeze fruit?”. We discussed the proper ways to freeze fruits. We also discussed the benefits and drawbacks of freezing fruits along with how to safely thaw frozen fruits and if frozen fruits spoil.

References 

1. Silva, C.L.M. Home Freezing of Fruits and Vegetables. In book: Frozen food science and technology, 2008.

2. Freezing and Food Safety. USDA, 2013

3. Food Safety Education Month: Preventing Cross-Contamination. USDA, 2022.

4. Li, L. et al. Selected nutrient analyses of fresh, fresh-stored, and frozen fruits and vegetables. J Food Composition and Analysis, 2017, 59, 8-17.

5. Chaudhary, K. A review on effect of freezing on food, fruit and vegetable texture. IJCRT, 2021, 9, 5.

6. Giannakourou MC, Taoukis PS. Effect of Alternative Preservation Steps and Storage on Vitamin C Stability in Fruit and Vegetable Products: Critical Review and Kinetic Modelling Approaches. Foods. 2021;10(11):2630.

7. Van Der Sman, R.G.M. Impact of Processing Factors on Quality of Frozen Vegetables and Fruits. Food Engineering Reviews, 2020, 12, 399–420.

8. The Big Thaw – Safe Defrosting Methods. USDA, 2013.

9. The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist and Nursery Stocks. Agricultural Research Service Agriculture, Handbook Number 66, 2016, 62-63.