Should you eat food that has freezer burn? We endeavored to find out how healthy it is and does it put you at risk?
You know what I mean when I say freezer burn: foods that have a layer of crystalized water over them or discolored dry spots. But how dangerous are they to eat? Let’s make sure that we know what we’re getting into with these foods we find in the freezer.
They usually turn up when foods are not stored properly or they’re kept in the freezer for way longer than they’re supposed to. More months and years than the expiration date. And when I say expiration date, I mean the freezer one. Because each food has a certain timeframe during which you can keep them frozen and they’re still good for you.
Why does freezer burn happen?
When you keep things in the freezer, the water molecules start to evaporate. But because this is happening at very low temperatures, the evaporation crystallizes. That’s why you end up having a thin layer of ice over your food.
Some foods are more likely to have this problem than others. Everything that is low fat, for instance, because fat tends to keep the molecules together.
So, should you eat freezer-burned food? There is good news and bad news. The good news is that this food is not bad for your health, so if you’re in a pinch, feel free to consume it at will. The bad news is that the quality of the food will be lower because of this phenomenon. Less flavor, more specifically. When that happens, it’s up to you to add more flavor to the plate, by using seasonings, but also herbs and spices! Your creativity is the only limit you have, after all!
Featured image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
