How to Store Nestlé Ice Creams and Frozen Desserts
Monday, August 12, 2024
There’s nothing quite like indulging in a cool, smooth and refreshing frozen treat to beat the heat. Cooling down with ice cream or a frozen dessert on a hot summer day also means that it can melt faster. In this article, we’ve compiled our top tips and tricks to perfectly storing frozen treats from the moment you purchase it in-store until you get home and unload your groceries.
Can melted ice creams and frozen desserts be refrozen?
When partially melted ice creams or frozen desserts are refrozen, small slivers of ice crystals can develop, fueling a phenomenon called “freezer burn”. For a deeper dive into what freezer burn is or if you have a Nestlé frozen treat that has freezer burn, please visit this article: https://www.madewithnestle.ca/help/ice-cream-ice-crystals-freezer-burn
To prevent freezer burn as much as possible, we’re sharing best practices for storage of Nestlé ice creams and frozen desserts.
Choosing the perfect frozen treat at the grocery store
Choose a product from the back or bottom of the freezer: Products stored in the back of the freezer or at the bottom (in the case of a chest freezer) are less likely to have thawed out from frequent door openings. This reduces the chances of purchasing an ice cream or frozen dessert that has been out of the freezer for an extended period.
Ensure the frozen treat is with the same of its kind: Ensure that the flavour you desire is grouped with other flavours, products, or brands of the same kind. If it is mixed with different items, it may indicate that the product had already been taken out and put back in the wrong place, potentially causing it to thaw.
Inspect the packaging: Is the packaging damaged in any way? Is it wet or frosty? Is there any condensation or ice crystals on the packaging? If the answer is “yes” to these questions, the frozen treat may have been exposed to room temperature and has melted or thawed.
Pick up the frozen treat last: To ensure optimal freshness and minimize the time the frozen treat spends away from the freezer, it is recommended to make the freezer aisle the final stop. This approach helps maintain the desired frozen consistency and quality of the product.
Keep frozen treats frozen during the trip home from the grocery store
Bring a cooler and/or ice packs: It is advisable to plan ahead and bring a cooler along with additional ice packs. This will help to preserve the frozen temperature, especially in hot weather conditions.
Pack all frozen goods together: Grouping frozen groceries together in the same bag can provide some insulation and help maintain their coolness during transportation.
Head straight home to get the frozen treat back in the freezer: Minimizing the time away from the freezer is crucial for preserving the quality of the frozen treat. It is recommended to head straight home after leaving the grocery store, avoiding any detours or additional errands. Once at home, promptly return the product to the freezer to ensure it remains in its desired frozen state.
Keeping frozen treats smooth and creamy at home
Store in the back of the freezer: Frozen treats can be delicate and it’s sensitive to changing temperatures. Even a couple minutes of exposure to room temperature air from opening a freezer door can cause thawing, therefore impacting the texture of the frozen treat. Storing the product in the back of the freezer ensures it is minimally affected from frequently opening and closing the freezer door, keeping it from potentially thawing out.
Maintain proper freezer conditions: It is recommended to keep frozen treats in a freezer set at -18 degrees Celsius. Ensure the freezer is clean, as excessive ice buildup can hinder proper cooling. Remove any ice buildup to allow the freezer to function at its maximum capacity.
Use plastic wrap to store unfinished frozen treats: To prevent ice crystals from forming, press clear plastic wrap directly onto the frozen treat before tightly closing the lid. This minimizes air exposure, reducing the chance of ice crystal development. Alternatively, you can use wax paper, parchment paper, or place the tub or box in an airtight plastic bag for added protection.
Scoop into a bowl or cone: Eating from the tub may be tempting, however, it does expose the entire tub to room temperature for a longer period. Scooping the treat into a bowl or cone minimizes the time the tub spends out of the freezer, reducing the risk of thawing.
Flip unfinished frozen treats when re-freezing: When re-freezing unfinished frozen treats, flip the tub so that any melted portion drips onto the lid, where it has less chance of affecting the still-cold portion.
Enjoy it sooner, rather than later: If you needed a good reason to dig into that frozen treat, then we saved the best tip for last. As much as all the above tips can help keep frozen treats smooth, the longer it sits in a freezer, the more texture and overall quality can be impacted.
From choosing the perfect tub at the store to clever at-home hacks, we've taken you on a journey through the art of ice cream and frozen desserts storage, from the grocery store to your freezer. By incorporating these tips and tricks, you'll be well-prepared to keep frozen treats smooth whenever you need a sweet escape.
"Even the best storage methods can't stop the passage of time – don't let your frozen treats gather frost in the freezer, enjoy it sooner rather than later, and savour it while it's at its absolute best!"