In this article we discuss how to chill fruits and vegetables. We’ll examine why it’s important to pick the right species of fruits and vegetables for chilling, as well as the different methods of preserving them. When picking fruit or vegetables for freezing, picking ripe and soft fruits and vegetables is the key to proper chilling. Most tropical, deciduous, and vine-bearing fruits need a very short cooling period to completely break dormancy, develop, and ripen naturally. This is because the shorter the cooling period, the longer the micro-organisms will have to wait to consume the nutrients contained within the fruit or vegetable. To achieve the best possible results, picking the appropriate species and varieties from a variety of climates is crucial.
Before picking any varieties for chilling, be sure to check your local climate conditions. Different areas will have their own chill hours, with some seasons lasting significantly longer than others. Additionally, the type of fruits or vegetables being chilled may also affect the required cooling hour. For example, some types of berries may need to chill for a shorter amount of time than other varieties. Be sure to call your local gardening center or grocery store if unsure of the required chilling hours for any varieties you plan on picking.
How to Decide When picking the types of fruits or vegetables to freeze, consider the specific chilling requirements for the intended use. If the fruits or vegetables will be eaten raw or immediately placed into a juicer for juice making, then you will not need to worry about the exact timing of your chills. However, deciduous fruit trees and vines will typically need to be chilled for at least five hours before they’re ready for picking. Again, your local gardening center or grocery store will help you determine the required chilling temperatures for your desired species. For example, cranberries may only need to be chilled for four hours before they’re ready for picking, while grapefruit can be kept in the refrigerator for up to seven days.
How to Pick Chilled Fruits and Vegetables Deciding the types of fruits or vegetables to be chilled will depend on whether you’re looking to keep them fresh for several days, several weeks, or even months. If you’re simply freezing them for a few days to be used in recipes, then you’ll likely not concern yourself with the exact duration of chilling. However, if you’re planning on freezing entire plant structures such as a grape or pineapple, then the required chilling time will vary. Typically, the colder temperatures require thicker stems or leaves to withstand the thicker temperatures. The less thick the foliage, the longer it will take for the fruit or vegetable to freeze completely.
How to Determine the Chill Hours for Your Tree If you’re unsure of the chill hours needed for your specific species of tree, always ask a local gardening center or local garden store. They will have an expert on hand that can help you figure out just the right numbers. For example, a grapevine requires significantly fewer chill hours than a maple tree. Likewise, a grapevine needs only half the chill hour needed for a maple tree. The final chilling requirement of your fruit or vegetable plant will be based upon how long it has been growing.
When it comes to determining the chilling requirement of your fruit or vegetable plant, you should take into account the seasonings used as well as any special conditions caused by the particular species involved. Common fruits that tend to require more chilling include apples, apricots, cantaloupe and pears. Vegetables that fall into this category include parsley, carrots, corn, beets and broccoli. You should determine your chilling requirement ahead of time so you don’t double up on anything.