All About Freezing Oysters
While freezing is obviously more desirable than thawing, it can have its disadvantages as well. Yes, freezing does change how you would want to prepare them, but still, freezing does affect the texture, taste, and color of the mollusk. Freshly frozen oysters used to have a tough fishy taste or smell, but this can easily change when frozen. So how exactly do you do it? What tools are needed for successful freezing?
There are many different methods of thawing different kinds of seafood, but many chefs prefer to do it using the liquid method. Liquid freezing is the safest way to thaw seafood because the liquid coats the shell, which protects it from harmful elements. As such, this is often used by cooks who do not wish to risk damaging their seafood. Of course, liquid freezing requires a little preparation and it is not recommended for those who have busy lives. The process simply involves submerging the mollusk in warm water for about five minutes, draining it after every few hours.
Many people use the baking soda shuck method of freezing oysters. This involves gently removing the pearl, pulling it from the shell, and then baking it inside the refrigerator until it is all gone. The baking soda in the shuck acts as a coating inside the shell, thus protecting it from damage. However, this can take a while, as the shells normally fill up with the salts and other materials from the shrimp or oyster.
You could also try the charcoal shuck method of freezing oysters. It is done just like the baking soda shuck method, only this time using charcoal. This is said to release the calcium from the calcium carbonate contained inside the shell, which makes the calcium liquefied. However, since this is an unnatural process, it is difficult to find ready-made shells that have been treated with charcoal. Most natural shells on the market have already been treated with this substance.
When it comes to using flash freezing technology in freezing oysters, it is important to make sure that you know your brand. This is because not all brands will freeze seafood in the same way, and some manufacturers will have differing methods of freezing. If in doubt, ask your local seafood store's owner or manager for their recommendations.
There are also two primary methods of thawing or freezing live oysters: mechanical and chemical. In mechanical thawing, the container that is filled with the shrimp or oyster is placed inside a machine that rotates at a high-speed. As the frozen food inside the container is being thawed out, the water in the container begins to drain, thus allowing the fresh oysters or shrimp inside to begin to thaw. The only downside to this method is that since the mechanical process involves pumping the water out, this can take up to 24 hours before the fresh oysters or shrimp are ready to be served.
On the other hand, chemical freezing involves injecting chemicals into the seafood in order to "freeze" them. Once the chemicals are injected into the seafood, they begin to rapidly respond to the heat, resulting in the seafood remaining in its frozen state for between one to three days. This technique results in fresh seafood that has had all of its nutrients released, as well as a high degree of survival. This method is the preferred method of freezing seafood, as it maintains the freshness of the product and prevents spoilage.
When it comes to seafood, there are many different options that consumers have when it comes to preparing their own fish, shellfish, and shrimp dishes at home. Although most people opt for frying their seafood when preparing them, some prefer to create a delicate balance by freezing their seafood at an even temperature. For those who are hesitant about the long process required to prepare seafood by hand, or are afraid of the chemicals involved with the chemical freezing methods, it may be best to leave the task up to the professionals. Those who have the skill and knowledge required to successfully freeze and prepare the seafood will find that the task to be an enjoyable one, as it allows them to create delectable seafood dishes that can satiate every palette.
