How to freeze apples correctly - The best way
How to correctly freeze apples (photo: freepik.com)
Apples are a beneficial fruit that we use all year round. They can be stored in their fresh state, preserved as compotes or jams, and even frozen to add summer varieties to beverages or baking during the winter.
How to freeze apples correctly to preserve their nutritional value and original appearance, according to Lifehacker.
Not all apples are perfect
According to experts, not all apple varieties are suitable for freezing. There are delicate varieties that, even with the right approach, can lose their properties and flavor after freezing. Once thawed, such apples may have an unpleasant, mushy texture.
It's best to choose apple varieties with firm flesh and a crispy structure for freezing. However, it's important to note that any variety will undergo changes in structure and taste after freezing. The water in the apples will expand when freezing, turning into ice, which can rupture the cell walls and soften them.
Such apples may not be suitable for eating as fresh, but they can work well for baking, making jams and sauces, or for use in beverages.
How to prepare apples
You can freeze apples whole, but they will take up a lot of space and can be more challenging to slice into wedges after thawing. Therefore, the best option is to freeze them in wedges.
To do this, wash the apples thoroughly, remove the core, and slice them into wedges. Be careful not to make the wedges too thin; otherwise, they will become very soft when thawed. Aim for about 12 wedges from a medium-sized apple and 16 from a large one.
Next, mix a tablespoon of lemon juice with a cup of water and immerse each apple wedge in this water for a minute. This step is to prevent your apple slices from browning and to preserve their flavor.
You can also blanch the apples to halt the activity of enzymes by briefly dipping each wedge in boiling water for a minute and then transferring them to cold water. Regardless of the method you choose, be sure to thoroughly dry each apple wedge afterward.
Freezing apples
Arrange the prepared apple wedges on a board in such a way that they don't touch or stick together. Place the board in the freezer for several hours. Afterward, transfer the frozen apple wedges into special freezer bags and label each bag with the date.
Frozen apple wedges can typically be stored in the freezer for an average of 9-12 months.
