Frozen berries have been at the forefront of frozen food consumption trends for a while now, showing a stable 5% annual market growth.
Their health benefits are hard to ignore, and the feasibility of creating fresh-frozen smoothies or combining them in healthy meals is unprecedented. However, not everyone knows about the full possibilities of using the IQF berries, that is, Individually Quick-Frozen berries and the associated benefits.
Octofrost has been supplying premier IQF food processing equipment that has the customer’s needs in mind. That’s why we’re able to analyze and report the main advantages that come with consuming frozen berries processed through this technology.
Nutrients
When utilizing IQF frozen berries in your meals, you can expect a high nutritional value, rivaling and, in some cases, even outcompeting the so-called “fresh” options. But how can that be?
Most frozen food production companies will have dedicated processing lines, which aim to preserve the product as soon as possible. That means, from the moment of plucking, up to the point when you thaw the frozen berry, speed is of vital importance. It’s a concept reflected by Octofrost’s premium quality equipment and its design.
The result is a product that preserves as many nutrients as possible, locking in those vitamins and healthy substances behind a thin layer of ice. In fact, by using IQF technology, fewer vitamins are lost in the process, when compared to other types of freezing. That’s all thanks to the size of the ice crystals formed during freezing.
Generally seen as an inevitable part of any freezing process, the ice formed with IQF nonetheless is of smaller size. The crystals themselves don’t manage to pierce any cell membranes, creating a rich opportunity for extensive and high-quality preservation. If the crystals were too big, you would notice discoloration, unpleasant changes in taste, and so on. With this approach, you’re able to have the freshest and healthiest possible snack, at a moment’s notice. Short of plucking the berries yourself, this is the most convenient way.
Health benefits
It’s no secret – healthy living isn’t cheap. In an odd turn of events, it has become easier than ever to feed your body with products that aren’t the best for it long-term, and it takes quite a bit of effort to keep up in decent shape. Most people must actively pay attention to what they put in their body, for the sake of their health and overall wellbeing.
That’s what makes frozen berries and other IQF fruit so overwhelmingly positive – they provide a healthy way of enjoying something delicious while combining it with useful health benefits. Daily fruit intake has been associated with a better quality of life in the past, across a broad variety of metrics. And if you’re in Winter, where fresh fruit is typically hard to come by, the health benefits afforded from frozen fruit may be just the thing for you.
Some fruit may only be accessible to you frozen. Why not choose the choice that preserves the nutrients within, in that case? Enjoy a beautiful fruit salad or a smoothie with organic, natural, and fully healthy ingredients, that you won’t have to wonder too much about.
Availability
One of the key benefits of berries stored using the IQF method would be the rate at which they may be accessible to you. There are several factors you may consider here. Economically speaking, frozen food tends to be far more affordable than its fresh incarnation, and berries are no exception. However, unlike pre-fabricated frozen food, vegetables or fruit that are frozen and delivered to you directly after collection will not have anything to harm your body.
That makes them invaluable for healthy living while staying within your means. The best part? Octofrost’s IQF equipment creates premium products while providing energy efficiency and food safety. The high yield of the process, coupled with the energy efficiency involved all but guarantees that prices will remain affordable, while the quick production times and high hygiene standards will offer a premier culinary experience.
More than that, if you’ve ever worried about having to only take as much as you need – you’re in luck. The IQF approach creates pieces that are individually frozen, meaning you may select as much as you need. Together with the long-lasting time of IQF foods, you will be enjoying your frozen purchases for much longer than you normally would, without a second thought. It’s easy, it’s efficient and it’s there for you – regardless of the season. That’s right, get your favorite fruit and berries at a reasonable price, with a delicious taste to them, regardless of the season. Store them in your freezer and pick them up whenever you want.
Practicality
On a budget? Frozen food is considerably cheaper than fresh. Berries are one of the best options possible, as fresh fruit, of excellent quality, is nearly impossible to get out of season, especially at a decent price. Meanwhile, frozen berries are affordable and a perfect addition to fruit salads, regardless of the season. Create the dish you want, and take in the nutrients your body needs, without being limited by financial factors.
Did we mention how easy it is to create healthy, productive, and life-altering routines, with the help of fresh fruit? By placing the frozen berries directly into your kitchen, a lot of excuses vanish as to why you can’t opt for a healthier mode of living.
Create habits that enrich your life and build up to a better you, by making the right choice easier and more practical than the alternatives. Enjoy a life built on top of good decisions – you deserve to reap the rewards later.
Octofrost’s equipment is there to make all this an everyday reality for you, and everyone across the globe. More high-quality frozen food products, less waste, and more sustainable practices are what we’re about. Each piece of our production line is designed to be hyper-efficient, reutilizing water, energy and creating hygiene-enabling mechanisms that prioritize the consumers’ wellbeing.
