Why is the ice cream you buy at an ice
cream parlor always so much tastier than the kind you by at the
supermarket? Besides the quality of the ingredients and the beautiful
presentation you would typically get at a specialized ice cream place,
the confectioners are also very particular about the way they store and
scoop their ice cream to retain the perfect soft and whipped, and yet
not melted or frozen ice cream texture.
If you're not careful, ice cream can
quickly melt too much and lose its whipped texture, absorb smells from
other foods, or form ice crystals. If you want to learn how to always
have the ice cream you buy retain its delicious texture and taste in
your freezer for weeks, consider avoiding the 8 mistakes listed here.
1. Rinsing a spoon or ice cream scoop with water before use
Some people habitually rinse the spoon or
ice cream scoop in cold or hot water to make serving the ice cream
easier, which works pretty well, but it ruins the texture of the ice
cream in the long run. This is because the water on the spoon actually
forms a thin layer of ice on the remaining ice cream in the tub where
you were scooping, so the next portions you'll scoop out won't be as
good as the previous ones.
If you're using a hot scoop or spoon, it
can also melt the ice cream too much. Instead, ice cream experts
recommend using a room temperature scoop, which will soften the ice
cream just enough without melting it.
2. You're using the microwave to soften the ice cream
Confectioners say that this is one of the
worst things you could possibly do with ice cream, as microwaving will
typically let the ice cream melt too much and ruin the entire texture of
the dessert once and for all. Avoid microwaving the ice cream, and
simply let it soften at room temperature for 10-15 minutes instead.
Sure, this may take a bit longer, but the results will be much better,
too! For an even better result and virtually no risk of melting,
confectioners recommend transferring the ice cream into the fridge for
about 20-30 minutes before serving it up.
3. You're letting the ice cream melt before it even makes it into your
freezer
If ice cream is the first thing you pick up
while grocery shopping and as a result, the moment you get home it's
all melted, you'll need to change that habit and make sure to buy ice
cream last to so that it stays frozen for as long as possible. When
buying ice cream, always pay attention to the box it comes in. Is it
covered in ice?
If so, it's likely that the ice cream has melted before because someone
left the grocery store freezer door open for too long, or it isn't
sealed properly. In cases like these, take a look if there are any
ice-free fresher cartons at the back of the freezer at the store.
4. You think ice-cream lasts forever
4. You think ice-cream lasts forever
We really wish ice cream was on the list
nonperishable goods, too, but the truth is that ice cream is one of the
most delicate foods, and every time you scoop out a serving from the
container, the remaining ice cream's quality will deteriorate. Although
most store-bought ice creams can be stored for 1-2 months after opening
according to Eatbydate, more often than not your ice cream will taste
significantly worse by then.
The ice cream you buy will retain all of its qualities for about a week
or a little more. After that, ice crystals will inevitably start forming
on the surface of the ice cream, which will affect its taste and
texture. So, instead of buying a huge tub of ice cream that'll last you
months, we recommend buying smaller portions.
5. The temperature in your fridge isn't cold enough
5. The temperature in your fridge isn't cold enough
If the temperature in your freezer isn't
cold enough, the ice cream you buy will spoil much faster and gain a
flatter texture. The International Dairy Foods Association recommends
storing ice cream at the temperature between -5 and 0°F( -20 to -17°C)
for optimal results. This means cranking down the freezer temperature to
the coldest setting for most non-commercial freezers. Signs that your
ice cream is spoiled are crystals on its surface, a dried-up crust on
the ice cream aka freezer burn, or any alterations in taste or smell.
6. Never store ice-cream on the freezer door
6. Never store ice-cream on the freezer door
As we've mentioned previously, temperature
fluctuations like opening a freezer too often as it usually happens in
grocery stores or keeping the freezer open for a bit too long like it
often happens in households can both promote freezer burn and melt the
ice cream. Thus, it makes perfect sense that the freezer door - the
warmest place in your freezer - is not a good place for ice cream
storage. Instead, put the ice cream in the back of the freezer, so that
it remains at a steady low temperature as long as possible.
7. You store ice-cream next to strong smelling foods
When you don't seal the ice cream carton
well enough, smells from the freezer can be imparted into your dessert.
This also tends to happen when you store ice cream for too long near
other strong-smelling foods, such as fish, meat, garlic, or herbs. So,
if you don't wish to experience the funky taste of meaty or garlicky ice
cream, it's best to keep the dessert away from foods with strong
smells.
You can also wrap the ice cream in a plastic bag before putting it into
the freezer if you're planning on keeping it in the freezer for more
than a week or two.
8. Extra tip to extend the shelf life of ice-cream
To prevent a frozen layer of ice from
forming on the surface of your ice cream when storing it in the fridge,
you can use parchment paper, cheese paper, or wax paper to cover the
surface of the ice cream before replacing the lid. Ice cream parlors use
this clever tip all the time to preserve ice cream, but make sure not
to use metal or plastic foil, as these can stick to the ice cream and
can actually be quite difficult to take off when you're ready to dig
into the ice cream the next time.
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