Recently, it is the season for harvesting and selling fresh ginseng. We also bought several fresh ginseng roots, but we can't finish them all now. So, can we put fresh ginseng in the refrigerator and freeze it?
Can Fresh Ginseng Be Frozen in the Refrigerator?
In general, it is not recommended to freeze fresh ginseng in the refrigerator.
Just like other fresh ingredients, fresh ginseng is prone to mold and rot. However, due to the high water content in fresh ginseng, it is easy to be damaged when frozen in the freezer compartment with excessively low temperature. This can cause loss of its nutritional components. Therefore, it is generally not recommended to freeze fresh ginseng in the refrigerator. Storing it in the refrigerator's preservation compartment is sufficient.
How Long Can Fresh Ginseng Be Stored in the Refrigerator?
1-2 months.
Fresh ginseng is prone to bacterial growth, rot, and spoilage. The low temperature in the refrigerator inhibits the growth of bacteria and insect eggs. If stored properly, fresh ginseng can usually be preserved for about 1-2 months. However, during the storage process, there may be a slight loss of its nutritional components. Therefore, it is recommended to consume it as soon as possible.
How to Store Fresh Ginseng in the Refrigerator?
Steps:
1. Sprinkle some water on the surface of the fresh ginseng.
2. Place the fresh ginseng in a self-sealing bag (be careful not to damage the root hairs).
3. Seal the bag and poke a few small holes on the surface with a toothpick.
4. Then, place it in the refrigerator's refrigeration compartment.
What Should Be Considered When Storing Fresh Ginseng in the Refrigerator?
Avoid Cross-Contamination
When storing fresh ginseng in the refrigerator, it is best to keep it separate from other foods. Otherwise, it may absorb odors from other foods in the refrigerator, affecting their taste and even causing certain impacts on the medicinal properties of ginseng.
Appropriate Temperature
It is recommended to set the refrigerator temperature at around 1-3 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is too high, it will not achieve the desired preservation effect, and fresh ginseng is prone to spoilage. If the temperature is set too low, the water inside may crystallize and cause damage to the plant cells, leading to loss of nutritional components in fresh ginseng.
How to Store Fresh Ginseng?
There are many methods for storing fresh ginseng. Here are a few common storage methods:
Moss Storage
1. Gently wrap the fresh ginseng with moss provided by the seller.
2. Place it in a foam box or other container.
3. Sprinkle sufficient water on the surface to keep the moss moist.
4. Place the box in a cool and ventilated place.
5. Generally, it can be stored for about 7-14 days.
Sand Storage
1. Prepare a larger box and fill it with an appropriate amount of sand.
2. Sprinkle water on the sand to keep it moist.
3. Then bury the fresh ginseng in the sand.
4. This method can generally preserve it for about one month.
Air-Drying Storage
1. Use a soft brush to remove the dirt from the surface of the fresh ginseng.
2. Then use a clean cotton cloth to dry the surface moisture.
3. Place it in the sun to air dry.
4. Then store it in a cool place.
5. Generally, it can be stored for about 1 year.
