Food Preservation Methods

Discussion Cooking Methods: How many ways can you think of to prepare
raw food to eat safely? What if you had no electricity to help you? In ancient times
cooking was done in various ways, many of which centered on the fire. With the
discovery and use of fire, humans were able to cook foods. Hawaiians couldnt
heat anything over an open fire because they did not possess metal containers
an ipu would burn. Instead, theyd heat stones and place them into or onto things.
Hence the imu (cooking pit). Contrasted to todays methods, ovens, stoves and
microwaves, these older methods seem rather primitive. But are they?
Modern preservation methods:
Canning
process of preserving food by heating
and sealing it in containers for storage
preserving food for times of need
risk of botulism poisoning
botulism bacteria is most resilient to heat
due to endosperm coating

Dehydration
longer storage
smaller size and weight
recirculated air will not dry food
more air moving over food the quicker it
will dry
sun dry, room dry, oven dry, dehydrators

Freezing & freeze-drying

creating environment where bacteria
cannot grow
bacteria on food is still there, just
dormant
upon thawing, bacteria will resume
replicating
freeze-dried foods last months to years
examples of uses are strawberries in
muffin mixes, sea food, fruit juice

Irradiation
food is exposed to a controlled amount of
radiation to destroy organisms
responsible for spoilage
helps food maintain chemical make-up
after exposure, microorganisms cannot
reproduce or make toxins
increased radiation increases
preservation effect

Ancient preservation methods:

Fermentation
Drying
extends shelf-life
oldest method of
ancients noticed milk will
dehydration
turn into a solid or
use of sun to dry foods
semisolid yogurt
and extend use
yeast can be used to
foods may also be dried
create wine and beer
over fires or with smoke
some foods are better
from fire
when fermented (rice,
milk, chocolate, coffee)

Curing (salt)
packing salt around food
pulls out moisture
without water, food
becomes inhospitable
for bacteria
no bacteria = decreased
spoilage (but we still
have to deal with molds)

Discussion Disaster Preparedness: What would you do if our island was

cut off from fresh food and water by a hurricane or other natural disaster leaving
us without electricity for many days? Which methods above would help us?
Ka Hana Imi Naauao A Science Careers Curriculum Resource Go to: www.cds.hawaii.edu/kahana
Images retrieved May 26, 2009 from: http://www.store.elmerguzman.com/images/pf-103.jpg
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