Food Preservation

Question 1

Reason For Preserving Food

Answer 1

1. Extending Shelf Life:

Preventing spoilage caused by microorganisms (bacteria, molds, yeasts).

2. Seasonal Availability:

Ensuring that seasonal foods can be enjoyed year-round.

3. Reducing Food Waste:

Preventing the wastage of surplus food by preserving it for future use

4.Nutrient Retention:

Retaining the nutritional value of foods by preventing spoilage and degradation.

5.Cultural and Traditional Practices:

Preserving food methods that are part of cultural heritage and traditions.

Question 2

What is food preservation?

Answer 2

Food preservation refers to the processes and techniques used to prevent food spoilage, maintain its nutritional value, flavor, texture, and ensure its safety for consumption over an extended period.

Question 3

Ways of Preserving Food

Answer 3

1.Canning
2.Freezing
3.Drying (Dehydration)
4.Fermentation
5.Pickling
6.Salting
7.Smoking
8.Vacuum Sealing
9.Pasteurization
10.Irradiation

Question 4

Canning

Answer 4

Canning, the process of placing foods in jars or cans and heating properly to a specified temperature.

Question 5

Freezing

Answer 5

Lowering the temperature of food to slow down or stop the growth of
microorganisms and the activity of enzymes. Freezing preserves the taste, texture, and nutritional value of food.

Question 6

Drying (Dehydration)/ Removal of moisture.

Answer 6

Removing moisture from food to inhibit the growth of microorganisms and enzymes. This can be done using air, sun, or specialized equipment like dehydrators.

Question 7

Fermentation

Answer 7

Using beneficial bacteria, yeasts, or molds to convert sugars and other carbohydrates in food into acids, gases, or alcohol, which act as natural preservatives.

Question 8

Pickling

Answer 8

Preserving food in an acidic solution, usually vinegar, or through fermentation in brine, which creates an environment where harmful microorganisms cannot survive.

Question 9

Salting

Answer 9

Salting is the preservation of food with dry edible salt.

Question 10

Smoking

Answer 10

Smoking is a method of drying that also imparts flavor to the food (usually meat items), and smoke helps keep bacteria-carrying-insects away during the drying process.

Question 11

Vacuum Sealing

Answer 11

The process of vacuum sealing food involves removing oxygen from the container or bag to create an air tight vacuum seal.

Question 12

Pasteurization

Answer 12

Pasteurization is a food processing method where a mild heat treatment is applied to a food to kill harmful bacteria (pathogens) and extend shelf life

Question 13

Irradiation

Answer 13

Food irradiation uses ionizing radiation to reduce bacteria, molds and other pests in food.