Is Vitamin C Destroyed By Freezing

Is Vitamin C Destroyed By Freezing

If you're a citrus lover, freezing lemon juice is the way to go in order to keep it fresh. But does freezing lemon juice destroy vitamin C?

The answer is no! In fact, frozen foods actually preserve more nutrients than their fresh counterparts.

According to a study in the Journal of Food Science freezing produce can prolong its freshness by up to 30% more than non-frozen foods.

This is due to the slowing down of natural chemical reactions which are dependent on temperature.

A simple experiment will prove freezing lemon juice preserves vitamin C content better than freezing an uncut lemon.

To conduct this experiment, cut the lemon in half and squeeze out one of the halves into a glass. Place both glasses into your freezer overnight.

The next morning, take them out and compare their color. You will notice that freezing lemons preserved more of its color than freezing juice from an uncut lemon which indicates freezing preserves more vitamin C content!

The freezing point of lemons is slightly below freezing, around 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, most freezers' temperature settings will drop low enough to permit freezing, so freezing lemon juice should be possible in any freezer.

Is it OK to freeze lemon juice?

Freezing lemon juice is a safe way to keep it fresh. While freezing won't destroy vitamin C, freezing for an extended period of time could result in some loss of flavor or change in texture.

If freezing lemon juice is necessary, freeze just enough to last up to three months is recommended to prevent any noticeable changes in the taste or form of your frozen lemon juice.

When freezing lemon juice, freeze it in ice cube trays is an easy way to store each glass of lemon juice separately, ensuring freshness.

Once the cubes are frozen solid, transfer them to freezer bags or containers for longer storage and repeat until all your lemons have been juiced and frozen.

Is frozen lemon juice as good as fresh?

Freezing lemon juice is just as good as fresh frozen lemon juice, and it is even better because frozen lemons maintain more of their color than frozen lemon juice.

Freezing also preserves the natural flavor of frozen lemons better than other preservation methods.

If you need to store your frozen lemons for an extended period of time, keeping them frozen for no longer than three months at a time is recommended.

How long can frozen lemon juice be frozen?

Freezing lemon juice is safe as long as it's frozen within the first three months of being frozen.

After that, you may start to notice changes in flavor or texture, especially if your frozen lemons have been frozen for longer than three months.

Why frozen lemon juice is frozen in ice cube trays?

Freezing lemon juice separately in ice cube trays keeps each glass of juice separate, which helps to prevent it from mixing with other frozen pieces and tasting sour or bitter.

Keeping each glass frozen independently also prevents one glass's frozen taste from affecting another, which can happen if frozen lemons are frozen all together in one container.

How to freeze lemon juice?

To make frozen lemon juice, start by cutting the ends off of your lemons and quartering them.

The easiest way to do this is to cut the end off with a very sharp knife while holding it horizontally, ensuring only the outermost layer is cut.

Once both ends are removed, the lemon should be able to stand up on its own so you can lay it on your cutting board and slice in half horizontally without having to worry about accidentally slicing too far.

Next, take each frozen lemon piece and juice them individually by hand or with a juicer.

You can also use frozen lemon juice for your recipes that call for fresh frozen lemon juice. Remember to keep any frozen lemon squash separate from all other frozen pieces, such as frozen strawberries or ice cubes!

Does freezing lemon juice kill enzymes?

 If frozen lemons are frozen for an especially long period of time, they may lose some enzymes as a result of exposure to cold, but freezing fresh lemon juice will not kill any enzymes.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, freezing lemon juice does not destroy vitamin C. Freezing lemons is the best way to prevent it from going bad, as it maintains both flavor and color better than other storage methods.

Lemon juice can be frozen for up to three months before any noticeable changes in taste or texture become apparent.

I hope this helps. Thanks for reading.

Reference

Journal of Food Science

Is Vitamin C Destroyed By Freezing

Source: https://foodsquestions.com/does-freezing-lemon-juice-destroy-vitamin-c/