The key to IQF is speeding the food through this 31º to 25º F temperature zone as quickly as possible. For example, it might take ten hours to freeze a package of fish via conventional freezing (i.e. you putting it in your freezer at home). But using IQF technology, it might only take 90 minutes.
To ensure quality and freshness
The longer that a fish is out of water the more that its meat degrades. When seafood is properly handled and frozen at a very low temperature, it is essentially “locked” in time- meaning that the freshness and quality are preserved.
The figure to the left demonstrates the differences between “fresh” and “frozen-fresh” salmon predictions in “days since harvest (on ice, exposed to air)” and “shelf life remaining”.
What is Flash Freezing?
Flash freezing is a process in which seafood is frozen rapidly to at least -10° F in a few hours. This essentially locks the fish in time allowing for a two year shelf life at premium quality. Locking the fish in this fresh state halts cellular degradation so that when you thaw your seafood it is as fresh as the day it was frozen. Flash freezing also allows for the elimination of the “use it or lose it” mentality in consumers.
Fresh Frozen Fish – EXPLAINED
FAQ
How long does flash freezing fish take?
How long does it take to flash freeze?
How do you flash freeze fish at home?
How long does it take fish to freeze?
What is flash freezing fish?
Flash freezing is an accelerated process of storing fresh food within 24 hours of its harvest. For fish, flash freezing needs to be done almost immediately. Author Note: This process is done with either dry ice at -70℉ or liquid nitrogen at -320℉. Most commonly, dry ice is the way to go. It’s easier to handle and buy. Why Flash Freeze Fish?
How long does flash frozen fish last?
Flash-frozen food should last just as long as any other frozen items in your freezer. How do you flash freeze fish at home? To flash freeze fish at home, place each individual piece of raw fish on a baking tray. Put that tray into your freezer and allow each piece to freeze.
Does flash freezing help thaw fish?
Flash freezing also decreases the chance of getting freeze burns on the fish. That’s mainly because flash-freezing doesn’t go through the same thawing cycles that fridges do. At extreme temperatures, bacterial growth is stunned. So, if you do it right, flash freezing can help reduce the rate of fish degradation.
How long does it take to freeze fish?
Try to avoid overlapping the fish portions, to get maximum surface area exposure to dry ice. Add enough ice to cover the sealed packages. Depending on the fish-to-ice ratio and efficiency of the cooler, it could take from 5 to 12 hours to finish freezing. Move the portions into their permanent storage at -10℉ or cooler.