Sauerkraut is a delicious food item made up of shredded cabbage which is fermented. It is a widely consumed food for its numerous health benefits. The food item itself has a long shelf life. But can you freeze Sauerkraut to prevent it from spoiling after its expiry? We are going to see that in this article.
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Can You Freeze Sauerkraut
Well, the general answer to the question is that it can be frozen to prolong its life expectancy and keep it away from getting spoiled. Sauerkraut can last longer on its own since it is a fermented food. However, if you intend to freeze them, it will work.
But the question arises whether is it ok to freeze Sauerkraut? Freezing will prolong its lifetime, but it will also kill the healthy probiotics that are present in the food. Sauerkraut contains tons of good enzymes and bacteria which have the ability to kill other microorganisms that can endanger the life of Sauerkraut.
Freezing the food item will cause these good enzymes to become ideal. It will also kill most of these enzymes after a certain period. Then it would be pointless to eat Sauerkraut.
After freezing it for several months, there will be nothing left on the food product that is delicious or healthy for you. But there won’t be any harmful bacteria either. However, the texture and taste of the food product would have been greatly altered.
Sauerkraut is delicious food, but there is more than tastiness in the food. As we have seen before, the food is fermented. Due to the fermentation process, tons of good enzymes start to live in that food. They produce lactic acid. The acidic nature of the food makes it a very harsh environment for harmful bacteria. When we consume it, our intestines and other parts of the digestive system get accumulated with useful bacteria, which makes it impossible for harmful bacteria to occupy us. Thus it will prevent us from getting sick due to digestive issues.
Researchers have found that Chinese people made and consumed the same product in 4 BC. Chinese and Korean people have been fermenting shredded cabbage for its deliciousness and health benefits it provides. Korean people called this product Kimichi. Thus, freezing them might reduce the health benefits it brings along.
How To Freeze Sauerkraut
If you haven’t opened the seal of the package, you can freeze Sauerkraut just by placing it inside the freezer. However, in most cases, that won’t be the case. We want to freeze the food item because we have opened it and do not want it to get spoiled. So, we can’t place them with the package or box they came in. So, follow these steps to freeze Sauerkraut in the proper way.
1. Pour the Sauerkraut into a dry bowl so that we can easily access them. It is better not to touch them with your hands. Use utensils or wear clean gloves that are free of any chemical dust.
2. Then, take the freezer bag which you use to freeze food items. Make sure that it is clean and dry. Now, take Sauerkraut and put it in the freezer bag. Don’t fill it up to the neck. Leave at least a 2 -3 inches gap between the neck and the Sauerkraut. Press gently to remove the excess air from the bag.
3. Seal the bag thoroughly. The juice might leak if the bag is not sealed properly.
4. Label the bag and put the date on it for your reference. Now store it in the freezer. It will last longer than its own life expectancy.
How Long Can You Freeze Sauerkraut?
The frozen Sauerkraut can last up to 12 months in the freezer. However, if you want to eat Sauerkraut with its original quality, you shouldn’t freeze it for more than two months. Sauerkraut tastes better when it is consumed within two months of freezing.
Can Sauerkraut Be Frozen?
Yes, Sauerkraut can be frozen for up to a year after its expiration date, which is not the case with most food products. But it is up to you whether you should freeze Sauerkraut or not.
Sauerkraut is a fermented cabbage that has many health benefits and nutritional values. If we freeze them, the healthy enzymes might get killed. But there is no significant downfall in freezing this food item. It reduces the health benefits that Sauerkraut offers.
However, if you have opened the packages, eaten some sauerkraut and there are some leftovers, freezing it in a freezer bag is the best way to store them for a long period. You can follow the above-mentioned steps to freeze Sauerkraut properly.
