With the colder months just around the corner, there’s no time like the present to learn about food preservation! Humans have been preserving food since the dawn of time to wait out the winter. Today, there are many fun ways modern homeowners can preserve their food.
Whether you’re looking to wait out the winter or save some money, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about food preservation to make sure you’re equipped with the right knowledge! Read up on these 6 food preservation tips and uncover new ways to enjoy your food over the winter!
- Freezing
Today, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a family that doesn’t freeze their food to make it last longer. It’s been in use almost since the dawn of time, and for good reason. Freezing your food is a simple yet effective way to extend the life of most perishable foods. If you have access to a freezer or some ice, you can preserve anything from meat to vegetables and certain fruits. Freezing your food is convenient, and all you have to do is wait for it to thaw out before using it again!
- Dehydration
One of the oldest food preservation techniques still in use today is dehydration. Dehydrating your food is an easy, beginner-friendly way to make it last! There are many ways to dry your food, including by using your oven, the sun, or a dehydrator. One of the easiest and most efficient ways to dry your food is through the use of a dehydrator. These experts at dehydratedfoodz.com say that when choosing a dehydrator, you need to think about heat and airflow as well as versatility. Depending on the food, you can either ingest it dry or rehydrate it with water.
- Salting
Next on the list of great food preservation techniques is salting! Salting started as a way to preserve mainly meats from going bad during long journeys or over long periods of time. To salt something, all you need is a cool, airtight container and tons of salt. Depending on how you do it, salting can extend the life of your food almost indefinitely. Whether you’re looking to salt your fish or your meats, salting can add an extra bit of flavor to your preserved foods. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance way to preserve your food, look no further than salting.
- Sugaring
Sugaring, a similar technique to salting, is another popular way to preserve foods. Primarily used to preserve fruits, sugaring helps extend the life of your perishable sweets. Sugaring is a versatile technique, and you can also use it to preserve certain vegetables and meats. By sucking the water out of these perishable goods, the sugar helps to embalm and preserve them in a sweet syrup. Similar to salting, all you need for sugaring is access to an airtight container and tons of sugar. You can even take sugaring a step further and transform your fruit into a sweet jam!
- Pickling
Recently, pickling has become very popular, as seen on social media sites like Instagram and TikTok. Similar to salting, pickling is a technique that involves submerging the perishables in a mix of water, acid, and spices. Pickling results in sweet, savory, and tangy preserved foods that are delicious and can withstand winter. If you’ve got the right materials, pickling your food is a great way to save money on groceries and expand your palate. Pickling is a simple yet effective way to transform and preserve your food.
- Vacuum packing
Last but not least, when it comes to food preservation, you cannot forget about vacuum packing. This method takes a different approach and opts to isolate the perishables rather than change them to preserve them. To vacuum pack your food, all you need is a vacuum sealer and some clean vacuum bags. Vacuuming is great for those looking to preserve their foods without altering them. You can then store these vacuum-sealed bags to last you as long as you need them. Make sure to wash and dry your food before vacuuming, and you’re good to go!
So there you have it! Now you’re all caught up on the best ways to preserve your food this winter! Freezing and dehydrating are effective and easy ways to preserve any food without altering it too much. You can salt or sugar your perishables to extend their life and enhance their flavor.
Pickling is a tasty and popular way to preserve food and makes for a great hobby. Last but not least, if you want to preserve your food and keep it intact, try vacuum sealing! Keep these tips and tricks in mind this winter to get more out of your perishables. Experiment with different food preservation techniques until you find the right one for you!
