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Freezing allows you to preserve the harvest, including the beneficial properties and taste of any berries, for a long time. If you then defrost the strawberries correctly, they will retain their aesthetics, vitamins, macro- and microelements to the maximum.
How to properly defrost frozen strawberries
The most correct defrosting method is considered to be the one that allows you to preserve the benefits and taste to the maximum. But when there is a shortage of time, one has to “sacrifice” one’s appearance and vitamins.
How to Thaw Strawberries to Keep Their Shape
When you need to defrost strawberries, for example, to decorate a cake, so that they preserve not only their taste, but also their integrity and aesthetics, the correct procedure will take 10-15 hours. The best choice is the one that has been subjected to quick or “shock” freezing. The packaging purchased in the store must contain information about the method.
It is difficult for a non-expert in the field of cooking to distinguish freshly picked fruits from those that have been properly defrosted.
The bag or tray removed from the freezer is opened and the contents are transferred to the refrigerator, pouring into any deep container of suitable volume.It would be best to place it in a special compartment for vegetables and fruits or on the top shelf.
During defrosting in the refrigerator, it is advisable to keep temperature fluctuations to a minimum.
Taking into account the correct defrosting technology, the harvest is pre-packaged in portions of the required volume
When defrosting in order to use whole berries for filling a cake, pie, or other baked goods, the correct technology is not limited to transferring them to the refrigerator. At the “half-ready” stage, the strawberries need to be covered with sugar, and after 45-60 minutes, pour out the excess juice. Immediately before use, roll it in starch or flour. Otherwise, even if defrosted correctly, they will not settle to the bottom of the pan.
After proper defrosting, the strawberries on the cake look no worse than fresh, and the taste does not suffer either.
How to quickly defrost frozen strawberries
Defrosting strawberries quickly means inevitably losing the vitamins and nutrients they contain. Taste and presentation will also suffer.
There are several methods for proper “emergency” defrosting:
- Immerse a hermetically sealed container or other container in cold water for 10-15 minutes, then spread the contents on a plate or tray in one layer and leave for 3-4 hours at room temperature, sprinkling with a mixture of starch and powdered sugar (1:2).
During defrosting at room temperature, a lot of juice is released, but the benefits and taste are largely preserved
- Pour hot water over the strawberries removed from the freezer, changing them periodically as they cool.
The defrosting process in hot water takes about an hour; a sharp temperature change “kills” almost all vitamins
- Place the frozen berries in a microwave-safe container and turn it on at low power.
Every 30-60 seconds you need to check the condition of the berries in the microwave
Conclusion
If you defrost strawberries correctly, they will look and taste almost identical to fresh berries. You can eat it on its own, add it to desserts, cocktails, and baking fillings. Nutrients are preserved to the maximum if freezing and defrosting technology is followed.
