In the food industry, the term IQF refers to individual quick freezing, also known as flash freezing. Frozen products, in general, are good alternatives to fresh products in that they lock in nutrients while promising a longer shelf life. If you sell or serve fruits in your business, you&#;ve probably heard of the term &#;IQF fruits&#; and have wondered what it means.
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This article explains these types of foods in more detail. I&#;ve also listed common examples of fruits that can be prepared using IQF technology.
As the term implies, IQF fruits refer to fruits like blueberries, cherries, and peaches that are individually frozen &#; meaning that these frozen fruits don&#;t stick together. A person who purchases a bag of IQF fruits can easily take a few pieces for their dish and not deal with a huge mass of fruits clumped together.
Since IQF is also called flash freezing, it means that fruits are frozen at a very fast rate, which prevents ice crystals from forming. IQF works best on small pieces of food. So, in addition to fruits, other IQF products may include vegetables (corn, green peas, etc.), shrimps, and scallops.
A recent report stated that the global IQF fruit market is projected to reach $11.8 billion in [*]. It&#;s no secret that the demand for these products is increasing. What benefits do they provide for retailers and consumers alike? Below are some of them:
Before the freezing process starts, manufacturers start by washing and slicing (for larger fruits like apples) before placing the fruits in a blast freezer. Some manufacturers do chilling prior to freezing, which lowers the temperature of the fruits so that the freezing process is done more quickly and efficiently.
During IQF, fruits are frozen rapidly at a temperature range of 31 to 25 F. While the exact freezing duration depends on the product and freezer, it usually takes 90 minutes or less. The frozen fruits are then placed in small retail bags or larger bags.
Common IQF fruits include the following:
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The short answer is yes. IQF makes it possible for individuals to enjoy healthy food even if fresh non-frozen produce isn&#;t available. Unlike IQF vegetables, fruits do not undergo blanching &#; placing veggies in boiling water to stop enzymatic activity that promotes decay, which may lead to nutrient losses. Therefore, IQF fruits retain their nutrient content.
IQF isn&#;t going away. It&#;s dominating the frozen food industry, thanks to its benefits that range from efficiency to quality and healthy products all year! Looking for IQF fruits? Take advantage of our technology.
At Empire Freezing & Drying, we provide individual quick freezing services. Aside from frozen fruits, we also produce IQF smoothie chips, sauce chips, and ice cream. Contact us today.
The IQF process prevents large ice crystals from forming, which means the fruit&#;s texture, taste, and nutrients remain intact.
IQF fruits last for months without losing quality when stored at -18°C. This reduces spoilage and waste, making them cost-effective for businesses.
Because they&#;re frozen individually, you can take exactly what you need without defrosting an entire pack. This saves time and reduces waste.
Frozen within hours of harvest, IQF fruits retain more vitamins and minerals than fresh fruit that spend days in storage or transit.
Longer shelf life and reduced spoilage make IQF frozen fruit a greener choice. They also require fewer resources for transport and storage compared to fresh fruits.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Iqf Fruits.