Whenever we have new groceries or leftovers, we all have a common way to keep them fresh: sticking it into any old container and shelving it in the fridge. This then leads us to forget about it, finding it weeks later either hardened, expired, or both.
What if we told you that there’s a more efficient method to store and keep food fresh for longer?
In this article, we’ll be giving you an introduction to the all-new storage method for foods: vacuum sealing! We’ll be going through what it is, why you should do it, and what you can and can’t vacuum seal.
What Is Vacuum Sealing?
Vacuum sealing, or vacuum packing, is the process of taking out air from a bag. In scientific terms, it’s taking out oxygen from a bag or container to create an airtight vacuum seal.
Taking out oxygen helps prevent bacteria from growing in your foods. Other pesky microorganisms include fungi and mold. This in turn helps your food to last longer and stay fresh.
Note: Ensure that you still practice good food hygiene before vacuum sealing (e.g wash and dry fruits, vegetables). Anaerobic microorganisms which do not need oxygen to grow can still multiply if they get into the vacuum pack.
Benefits Of Vacuum Sealing
- Protects food from freezer burn — Freezer burn happens when air makes contact with water around food. It can affect the taste of your food!
- Marination — Vacuum sealed meats can be taken out later for easy marinating. All food moisture is held in place to keep flavour of the food.
- Increase cabinet space — Stacking vacuum sealed foods saves space for smaller items, like canned foods. It also encourages tidy fridge organization.
- Reduce food waste — Vacuum sealing food allows you to clearly see the quality of your foods, encouraging you to use food at a timely rate.
- Save money — Buying food in bulk for vacuum sealing saves you money and frequent trips to the supermarket.
- Grab and go food packs — If you’re in a rush, vacuum sealed items are great prep for any quick meal.
Vacuum Sealing: Do’s & Do Not’s
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Vacuum Seal Food & Sandwich Bag$3.30 – $4.30
Vacuum sealing raw mushrooms, onions, garlic & soft cheeses can lead to the growth of a species of bacteria that can cause botulism (a fatal disease).
Note: It’s advised to not reuse vacuum seal bags that have previously contained meat, as they can have residual pathogens.
On Blanching Vegetables Before Vacuum Sealing
The process of putting vegetables in boiling water just for a few minutes is known as blanching. It stops enzymatic processes in vegetables, so that the taste, colour and texture are preserved, and is practiced to keep nutrients in vegetables.
Certain vegetables need to be cut into smaller pieces. It allows for easy meal prep for larger items like cauliflower and broccoli. Cutting vegetables in uniform pieces also provides even cooking for your vegetables.
Image Source: Izzy Cooking
Note: Boiling your vegetables for too long will result in water-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin C and B1 in your produce to be dissolved.
Below are the blanching times for said vegetables:
- Broccoli — Flowerets (3 minutes)
- Brussell Sprouts — Small (3 minutes), Medium (4 minutes), Large (5 minutes)
- Cabbage — Shredded (1½ minutes)
- Cauliflower — Flowerets (3 minutes)
- Carrots — Small (5 minutes), Diced/Sliced/Strips (2 minutes)
A full list of vegetables that can be blanched can be found here.
Things To Note When Vacuum Sealing
Now that you’ve got a rundown on what you can and can’t vacuum seal, it’s important to note a few things before you get started.
- Leave room in your bags — Don’t fill your bags to the brim so that the seal lasts longer. Leave around 7 cm at the top of the bag. Even if you mess up the first time, you can still have space to seal it properly again.
- Seal tightly — Make sure your bags do not leave any air escaping from the top.
- Act promptly — After sealing, put your food in the fridge or freezer immediately.
- Label properly — Label the date of sealing on your bags so you know how long they can last.
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Vacuum sealing your food can do wonders for your fridge and cabinet storage. There’s a wide range of meat and produce to store, so why not try it out? Let us know down below what food you’ve tried vacuum sealing!
Need a starter kit to vacuum sealing food? Try our Vacuum Seal Food & Sandwich Bag!
