Haven’t we all done it at one time or another? We’ve taken an ice cream tub out of the freezer and forgotten to put it back. The result is a runny, gloopy mess.
So, what do you do? Do you refreeze the ice cream? or Throw it away?
Umm. It’s a tricky one because on the one hand you may think, why not refreeze the ice-cream? It seems such a shame to throw it away when just a few hours before it has been a delicious airy, creamy delight.
Surely, if you pop it back, it will be just the same as it was before you left it out.
The bad news is the answer is… You should definitely bin it.
Ice cream isn’t the cheapest thing you’ll ever buy and if you are a restaurant or commercial operation, you may be tempted along the route of refreezing ice cream but this is not a good move.
Why can’t ice cream be refrozen once it has been defrosted?
Correctly packaging and storing ice cream can go a long way to help should there be a power outage and your freezer fails.
Ice cream may last a few hours if it is stored in an airtight container and is placed far back into the freezer. However, if it does melt, refreezing ice cream is not an option.
The truth is that there are a few foods which really should not be refrozen after they have melted, and ice cream is one.
Even if it was safe to do so, would you really want to serve your customers, family, or friends anything other than ice cream that retains its perfect texture and flavour?
It’s not going to do your reputation any good if you dish up ice cream that has undergone a transformation…for the worse!
Ice cream that has been refrozen doesn’t taste so good but there’s an even more important reason why refreezing ice cream is a no-no as we shall explain.
Why can’t you refreeze ice cream?
There are numerous reasons why this is not a good idea:
It’s no longer the light texture it once was
When ice cream is fresh and delicious, it has a light and creamy texture. The reason for this is that when it is churned, it becomes filled with air. Melted ice cream loses the air and that means when it is returned to the freezer it restructures but as a dense, hard block instead.
It’s harder
When ice cream melts, the fats and oils in the confection separate and when the confection is refrozen the texture changes and it becomes a more solid lump.
It becomes grainy
Refrozen ice cream will be more crystalised. This is because when it is first made it is whipped and tiny crystals are formed. When it is refrozen, these crystals are much bigger and they will cause it to become grainy and unpleasant.
It could be a health hazard
We all know that if you heat food up, leave it out, and reheat it, the chances are you will get food poisoning. Well, the same applies to ice cream. Left in a warmer temperature, bacteria that lies dormant in the ice cream will multiply and even if you return it to its optimum temperature these nasties will not just go away.
The correct container for storing ice cream will include an airtight lid but even this isn’t going to help you if you’ve left it out to melt.
Sadly, bacteria such as listeria, can not only survive but thrive in your freezer.
Will refrozen ice cream cause illness?
We do know that if ice cream melts it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, so why would you risk your health, that of loved ones or indeed the health of your customers (if you run a restaurant or food outlet)?
While refrozen ice cream might not cause illness, it is possible, so would you really want to take that chance? Plus, melted ice cream that has been refrozen just isn’t that nice to eat.
The best way to preserve ice cream is to store it in the correct container at the optimum temperature of -18°C (0°F). Anything warmer than that and you could be in trouble.
Want to know more about the best packaging for your ice cream?
At Venturepak, we are committed to providing food safe storage to meet your needs.
We have a great range of products, whether you are producing ice cream in small batches or in larger quantities so why not click the link above to find out more?