IQF Frozen Strawberries (Quality from Farm to Freezing)
IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) strawberry freezing is the optimal solution to preserve natural quality, color, flavor, and nutritional value. Each strawberry is frozen individually at ultra-high speed to maintain shape and texture while preventing clumping.
⭐ IQF Freezing Features
* Individual Pieces: No sticking or clumping together.
* Full Retention: Preserves natural taste, aroma, and color.
* Nutritional Preservation: Locks in vitamins and minerals.
* Long Shelf Life: Extended storage stability without losing quality.
* Convenience: Easy to use and store for industrial and retail purposes.
🔄 IQF Strawberry Processing Steps
* Strawberry Reception:
* Receiving fresh, premium-grade crops.
* High brix degree (approx. 9%).
* Free from defects and insects.
* Fruit temperature at 10°C or below.
* Preliminary Sorting & Cleaning:
* Sorting out unripe or damaged fruits.
* Initial removal of dust and foreign matter.
Washing:
* Thorough washing under running clean water.
* Safe aqueous sanitizer solution can be added (e.g., chlorine at 100 ppm).
* Final rinse with clean water.
* Draining & Dewatering:
* Removing excess surface water.
* Air-drying using a strong air knife/current to ensure optimal freezing efficiency.
* Cutting (Optional):
* Customized cuts upon request (halves, slices, dices).
* Utilizing stainless steel blades.
* Uniform cutting to ensure even freezing.
* IQF Quick Freezing:
* Entering the IQF freezing tunnel at -35°C to -40°C.
* Freezing time: approximately 10 – 20 minutes.
* Freezing each piece individually without agglomeration.
* Sieving & Grading:
* Sieving to separate clustered or non-standard pieces.
* Separating broken fragments.
* Packaging:
* Packaging in suitable food-grade bags (1 kg, 2.5 kg, or custom sizes).
* Vacuum sealing (optional).
* Airtight sealing to preserve superior quality.
* Storage:
* Stored in cold rooms at -18°C or lower.
* Maintaining the cold chain and preventing any thawing.
* Shipping & Distribution:
* Transported in refrigerated trucks at -18°C or lower.
* Ensuring top quality until the product reaches the end consumer.
📊 IQF Strawberry Standard Specifications
* Appearance: Whole, individual pieces, non-clumped.
* Color: Bright natural red.
* Taste & Aroma: Characteristic natural flavor of fresh strawberries.
* Texture: Firm and cohesive after freezing and thawing.
* Brix Degree: 7 – 9.
* Brix Acidity: 3.0 – 3.5.
* Chemical Contaminants: In compliance with national and international standard specifications.
* Defects / Foreign Matter: 0% natural limits.
🥗 Nutritional Benefits & Values (Per 100g)
* Health Benefits: Rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants; boosts immunity and skin health; supports heart health; good source of fiber; low in calories.
* Nutritional Facts (Per 100g):
* Calories: 32 kcal
* Sugars: 7.7 g
* Carbohydrates: 4.9 g
* Protein: 0.7 g
* Fiber: 2.0 g
* Vitamin C: 58.8 mg
💡 Storage Instructions, Usage & Quality Tips
* Storage: Keep at -18°C or lower. Do not refreeze after thawing.
* Usage: Allow to thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before use. Ideal for smoothies, desserts, baked goods, ice cream, pastries, and various culinary applications.
* Quality Tips: Keep away from direct sunlight; monitor temperatures closely; ensure packaging integrity; store away from strong odors.
