One of the most important facets of good cooking is the use of fresh ingredients. This is especially true when it comes to produce. Fresh, quality fruits and vegetables tend to taste better and are better for you. There are several reasons for this. Her are a few reasons to choose fresh ingredients over frozen, dried or dated.
Fruits and vegetables are a major source of vitamins and minerals for us. Freezing food has been shown to decrease the amount of nutrients in it.
Freezing food with a higher water content can change the texture. As sharp ice crystals form, they can destroy and break down the food. This is the reason many berries turn to mush when frozen and then thawed. Freezing also changes the texture of most meats.
Store-bought prepped food can be full of added, unhealthy preservatives, fillers and sodium. By preparing fresh, you can control what is added to your food. Be sure to read labels of any store-bought prepared food.
Foods that are packaged in plastic may infuse unwanted toxins into your food. Plastics are petroleum based. These toxins can leach into foods when they are heated at the time of packaging or microwaved to thaw or cook.
Important digestive enzymes must be removed from foods to give them an extended shelf life.
When you use fresh ingredients, you are getting the pure essence of that ingredient. The unadulterated flavors, textures and juices of that ingredient. When preparing a meal with a combination of fresh ingredients, you end up with richer flavors and aromas.