Trying to build up a good food supply can be a daunting task, especially if you start looking at survival websites. Often, they will tell you that freeze dried food in #10 cans is the way to go. That stuff lasts for a decade in many cases. Yet other people will suggest you buy canned food instead. Which is better?
The truth is that a good mix of foods is probably best for most people.
Freeze Dried Food
These foil sealed packets are available with a wide variety of foods and they can be very useful in an emergency situation. Since these packets of food are lighter, they can be carried more easily than cans if you have to leave your home during an emergency situation.
Freeze dried items are usually sealed very well, so they can even survive a flood if need be. On top of this, freeze drying creates food that will last far longer than canned and makes for a good long term storage item.
There are some down sides to this type of food, however. Freeze dried is very expensive, approximately 75% more than canned food. Also, you will need water to re-hydrate the food and prepare it, which may not be easy when you are in an emergency situation.
Canned Food
One of the biggest advantages of canned food is that it is cheap. Also, you probably use it already, which means it will be familiar food for your family in an emergency situation, boosting morale.
Canned foods are often edible directly from the can, so there is no preparation required if you do not have the ability to cook. Many canned foods come ready to prepare, too, so there is no extra water wasted on the food. In addition to this, you will usually get more calories from this type of food because of the way it is prepared, with fat and everything.
However, keep in mind that if you need to bug out, cans are very heavy and you will not be able to take very many of them with you. In wet or humid conditions, cans tend to rust, which can compromise the safety of the contents, so they do need to be kept dry.
Which should you choose? The most important thing is to have a food store, so canned goods are usually the best way to start. If you can afford them, add in some freeze dried food, but above all, make sure you have something ready so your family can survive in an emergency.
Showing posts with label Storage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Storage. Show all posts
Monday, 27 August 2012
Friday, 24 August 2012
What Is The Best Way To Wrap Cheese For Storage?
There are many of us that are true cheese-aholics. For this reason it can be very sad to get a lovely variety you enjoyed last week back out of the fridge only to find that it is all hard and nearly inedible. Most of us don't mind a little mold and know that slicing this off can rejuvenate a Cheddar or Mozzarella allowing us to still enjoy its delicious flavor.
In regards to storing your cheeses it's best to consider what kind (is it Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella etc.) and what form (shredded, brick, cheese curds). Knowing these facts can help you determine how best to store your cheese. For instance shredded can mold very quickly and this is simply because of the large area that is exposed to air. In addition, it is obviously not possible for you to cut the mold off of your shredded cheese. For this reason it's best to store shredded of any variety in airtight containers and vital that it's used as quickly as possible.
High-End Cheeses
A lot of people make the mistake of getting a really good, artisan cheese and then bringing it home and sticking it in the fridge in plastic wrap. This isn't the best way to keep the most delicious cheeses. If you're getting a quality Brie or Gouda then you want to keep it at its best for as long as you can. Remember that cheese tends to be porous and for this reason can soak up flavors from your fridge that you don't want it to have. Your best way to store it is to use cheese cloth or cheese paper. If you can't easily find this then wax or parchment paper will work. It's a good idea to mark the outside of the paper with the name of the cheese and the date. Once you have wrapped it then store it in an airtight container, preferably glass but plastic will work.
Brick Cheeses Such As Cheddar Or Mozzarella
With these cheeses it's best to keep as much of the original wrapping as possible and then store in a storage bag or airtight container. You'll want to use it up within a couple of weeks or so and keep an eye out for molding or hardening. If you're storing a more porous cheese as in Swiss, then it's a good idea to wrap in foil and then store in an airtight container. All of these cheeses can be placed in the freezer and stored for a few months as well. You might get a cheese that is a little more crumbly and mealy but it will work well in cooked dishes.
In regards to storing your cheeses it's best to consider what kind (is it Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella etc.) and what form (shredded, brick, cheese curds). Knowing these facts can help you determine how best to store your cheese. For instance shredded can mold very quickly and this is simply because of the large area that is exposed to air. In addition, it is obviously not possible for you to cut the mold off of your shredded cheese. For this reason it's best to store shredded of any variety in airtight containers and vital that it's used as quickly as possible.
High-End Cheeses
A lot of people make the mistake of getting a really good, artisan cheese and then bringing it home and sticking it in the fridge in plastic wrap. This isn't the best way to keep the most delicious cheeses. If you're getting a quality Brie or Gouda then you want to keep it at its best for as long as you can. Remember that cheese tends to be porous and for this reason can soak up flavors from your fridge that you don't want it to have. Your best way to store it is to use cheese cloth or cheese paper. If you can't easily find this then wax or parchment paper will work. It's a good idea to mark the outside of the paper with the name of the cheese and the date. Once you have wrapped it then store it in an airtight container, preferably glass but plastic will work.
Brick Cheeses Such As Cheddar Or Mozzarella
With these cheeses it's best to keep as much of the original wrapping as possible and then store in a storage bag or airtight container. You'll want to use it up within a couple of weeks or so and keep an eye out for molding or hardening. If you're storing a more porous cheese as in Swiss, then it's a good idea to wrap in foil and then store in an airtight container. All of these cheeses can be placed in the freezer and stored for a few months as well. You might get a cheese that is a little more crumbly and mealy but it will work well in cooked dishes.
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