Can You Freeze Dates?
Dates are quite expensive to buy in small quantities, aren’t they? You must have thought of buying them in bulk, but are worried about the storage, right? While dates have a long shelf life in the refrigerator, what if you want to store them beyond that?
Can you freeze dates? Yes, you can freeze dates. In fact, the dates will stay safe in the freezer when stored properly. They have natural sugar content which boosts the freezing process. So, if you are buying dates in bulk, you do not have to worry about them going bad.
In this article, I will guide you through the steps of freezing dates, and other important details that you would want to know. Check out the following sections to learn more.
How To Freeze Dates?
When it comes to freezing, dates are one of the best fruits to freeze. The process of freezing them is also straightforward. Check out the following steps to freeze dates effectively at home:
- If you have a lot of dates, it is a good idea to divide them into small quantities. This will be beneficial in the freezing process.
- Next, separate the dates in a baking tray and flash-freeze them for some time. This will prevent them from clustering.
- Then, transfer the dates into ziplock bags. You can also use airtight containers for the same. Remove all the air and seal the bags adequately.
- Label and date the bags so that you know how long they have been stored in the freezer. Once all of these are done, place them in the freezer safely.
So, you see, you just have to follow four simple steps, and your dates will be all set to freeze for a long time.
Tips To Know Before You Freeze Dates!
Now that you know the process to freeze dates, check out the following tips for better results:
- Dates last for quite a long time in the refrigerator. Therefore, it is suggested that you do not rush on freezing the dates, keep them in the refrigerator, if you feel the need to freeze, only then do the needful.
- If you have a lot of dates but do not have sufficient storage space for them, it is advisable to make a date paste before freezing them. This way you will be able to adjust a lot of dates in smaller spaces.
- Dates should always be stored in airtight packets. This is because they easily absorb other food aromas. To avoid such things from happening, you can always double-wrap your dates before storing them.
How Long Can You Freeze Dates?
Dates can last for about six months in the refrigerator if stored in an airtight container. It is all about protecting the dates from external air contamination. However, freezing rapidly increases its shelf life.
Frozen dates can be stored for up to 12 months without any flavor and texture alteration. Yes, dates are quite freezer-friendly and stay fresh even if in the freezer. Also, sometimes, you can store the dates beyond twelve months in the freezer.
But, post twelve months, you will start noticing texture loss in the dates. Therefore, it is best to consume the frozen dates within the first twelve months for the best results.
How To Defrost Frozen Dates?
Defrosting the frozen dates is quite an easy task. All you have to do is remove the frozen date packaging from the freezer and store it in the refrigerator overnight for defrosting. This will provide ample temperature and time for the dates to defrost smoothly.
This is the most effective way of defrosting dates. The dates will soften adequately in the process. Additionally, if you are in a hurry, you can defrost the frozen dates in the microwave for about 30 seconds. But be careful not to end up caramelizing the dates.
Do Dates Freeze Well?
Sugar acts as a preserving liquid in food storage, isn’t it? And dates naturally have a high sugar content. Therefore, it is quite evident that dates do freeze well. You should not have any trouble while freezing them if you follow the steps correctly.
Dates are freezer-friendly food storage options, so you need not worry about the frozen dates. You can always buy them in bulk and store them for later use in the freezer. This way you will also have a ready supply of dates at home.
Can You Refreeze the Dates?
Yes, unlike other fruits, you can safely refreeze the dates. This is due to the minimal water content in them. Dates are considered dry fruits, so freezing them repeatedly is safe as there is no chance of the fruit to turn mushy or soggy.
Having said that, it is still preferable that you freeze dates in small portions so that you do not have to undergo the hassle of refreezing them. Also, you can keep the defrosted dates in the refrigerator for quite some time.
