Sauerkraut is incredibly healthy thanks to the lactic acid bacteria it contains. These tiny creatures may not be visible to us without a microscope, but they are very much alive at work. What would be the effects of storing it in the freezer? When is freezing safe to do?

Sauerkraut itself is very well preserved

Why fresh sauerkraut is so healthy

Sauerkraut is created through a natural fermentation process. All you need is fresh cabbage or pointed cabbage and some salt. Over time, living lactic acid bacteria provide the typical acidity by themselves. They are also what make sauerkraut so healthy. However, only living lactic acid cultures develop this desired effect.

Lactic fermentation is one of the oldest preservation methods and essentially eliminates the need for freezing. Properly prepared and stored airtight and cool, sauerkraut can be kept for several years. Even the contents of opened jars can still be enjoyed for several weeks in the fridge.

Lactic acid bacteria and cold

Fresh sauerkraut, which still contains plenty of lactic acid bacteria, experiences a large temperature change in the freezer. The sub-zero temperatures have a devastating effect on lactic acid bacteria in particular. At least 50% of them, if not 90%, are killed. Other healthy components of sauerkraut, on the other hand, survive the frost well.

It is therefore clear that at least part of the healthy effect of sauerkraut is irrevocably lost in the freezer.

lactic acid bacteria and heat

Knowing about the effect of heat on lactic acid bacteria can help to clarify in which cases it is still worth freezing sauerkraut.

Just like intense cold, intense heat, such as is regularly generated when heating sauerkraut, can kill most of the lactic acid bacteria.

If sauerkraut is heated for a dish anyway, it makes little sense to worry about preserving the lactic acid bacteria.
In the end it doesn't matter whether they are killed in the freezer or in the saucepan.

Freeze sauerkraut without hesitation

Sauerkraut is already well preserved due to its natural acidity. However, if the container has already been opened, it may be necessary to safely store the unused remains. The freezer is not always a bad choice. You can safely store sauerkraut in it if the following conditions are met:

  • the sauerkraut has already been heated
  • the sauerkraut is heated before consumption
  • no other alternative for storage is available

How to properly freeze sauerkraut

Freezing sauerkraut is relatively easy, since no complicated preparation steps are necessary.

  • Allow heated sauerkraut to cool completely first
  • Divide large quantities of sauerkraut
  • pack in suitable freezer boxes or bags
  • seal airtight
  • label with content and date
  • put in the freezer immediately

tips

You can also put leftover food with a portion of sauerkraut in the freezer.

durability

Frozen sauerkraut has a long shelf life. Only cooked food should be consumed within six months. It is also important to consider the possibly short shelf life of other ingredients.

Defrosting sauerkraut

Give the sauerkraut enough time to thaw. You can place the freezer container in the fridge overnight and process as desired the following day.

Many people even taste thawed sauerkraut dishes much better than immediately after preparation. In any case, it does not lose much of the taste and consistency.

Conclusion for fast readers:

  • Health value: Living lactic acid bacteria make sauerkraut so healthy
  • Preservation: Acid makes the sauerkraut keep for a long time; Freezing is not necessary
  • Cold: Frost in the freezer kills most of the lactic acid bacteria
  • Heat: High temperatures also destroy most lactic acid bacteria
  • Freezing: Suitable storage method for opened sauerkraut stocks
  • Prerequisite: If the sauerkraut will be heated later anyway or has already been heated
  • Steps: portion, let cool if necessary; put in tightly fitting containers; label
  • Durability: Long lasting; consume ready meals within six months
  • Thawing: Gently in the fridge overnight

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Vegetable garden