Book 27, Question 62
What is freezer burn?
Freezer burn happens when frozen food loses moisture.
Water slowly turns from ice straight into vapor and escapes from the food, then re-freezes as frosty crystals inside the package. The food becomes dry, pale, and tough in spots. It is not dangerous, but it doesn't taste as good. Wrapping food tightly and removing air keeps crystals from forming.
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Quick answers
What is freezer burn?
Freezer burn occurs when frozen food is damaged by crystal growth and dehydration, exposing the food to oxygen.
Freezer burn happens when food is not adequately wrapped to remove oxygen, which has a bleaching effect on the food surface.
Sources: Penn State, Iowa State University
More fun facts
- Freezer burn produces a loss of texture, color, flavor, and aroma.
- Foods with a higher water content are more likely to get freezer burn.
- All foods are susceptible to freezer burn but with proper packaging and freezer management, the problem can largely be eliminated.
- Maintain the freezer temperature at zero degrees F or lower to help freeze food fast and stay frozen solid.
- Products exhibiting mild freezer burn are usually fine to eat by cutting away the burned area either before or after cooking.
Sources: Penn State, Iowa State University
Questions kids ask
Is food with freezer burn safe to eat?
The bleaching and moisture loss effect of freezer burn may not make food unsafe to eat, but it certainly affects the taste, texture, and color.
Source: Iowa State University