Tag: Natural food preservation

According to food scientists, a simple rinse with water may not be enough to remove all bacteria, mold spores, and pesticide residues from your fresh berries. Fortunately, natural household ingredients can create a more effective wash to make your berries safer to eat and keep them fresh for longer.

A 2024 survey showed that 65% of U.S. consumers prefer natural ingredients, sparking the debate: are there any healthy preservatives? The answer is a resounding yes, and many are found in nature, offering safer alternatives to synthetic options.

For millennia, people have used natural substances like salt and citrus to extend the shelf life of food. Yes, lemon juice is a natural preservative, and its efficacy is rooted in the unique properties of its key components, primarily citric acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Sun drying is one of the oldest and most affordable methods for preserving food, but it comes with notable downsides. A study in Egypt found that open sun drying significantly increased microbial loads, heavy metals, and aflatoxin levels in dates compared to controlled solar drying. Understanding the limitations is key to a safe and nutritionally sound diet.