Frozen or Fresh Produce in Your Kitchen and Why?
Fresh fruit or frozen fruit. The question probably burns through your mind every time you’re at the supermarket. And while you’re strolling through the fresh produce or frozen section, you’re still deliberating. While frozen fruit certainly has its upsides in terms of longevity, fresh fruit remains a solid choice for both taste and nutrition. But for the sake of argument, let’s take a look at both sides of the equation.
Vitamins and Nutrients
Fresh fruit is a rich source of vitamins and phytonutrients required to keep you healthy and energized. But the devil is in the details. According to numerous studies, fruit that’s shipped from foreign countries or across the nation can lose some of its nutritional value. That’s why many nutritionists suggest buying local produce. By purchasing local, you not only get the full nutritional value of the fruit, but you also support a local farmer. That’s a win-win situation you won’t often find at most supermarket chains.
But you don’t have to entirely eliminate frozen fruits. Although these frozen options may not contain the same amount of nutrients as fresh fruit, they do retain more nutritional value over time. So if you don’t plan on digging into your fresh picks within a week or so of purchase, you may want to buy a bag of frozen fruits just for the sake of balance.
What Are You Making?
If you’re having a quick snack or dolling up your morning cereal, fresh fruit is an overwhelming winner. You don’t have to wait for it to thaw, and you can take it with you when you rush out the door. That’s a convenience that frozen fruit just doesn’t have.
In addition, fruits that you’re adding to an entree or dessert are better in the fresh form. For example, an apple pie or an apricot-glazed chicken breast will send your taste buds into hyperdrive compared to frozen options. Overall, fresh fruit retains a richer, sweeter flavor.
Nevertheless, frozen fruits also have their place in the kitchen, primarily in the smoothie realm. Functioning as both the base of the smoothie as well as an ice cube, frozen fruits are a convenient one-two punch that doesn’t require any slicing or watering-down of your drink. Again, it’s all about quickness and convenience when it comes to fruit.
What’s Your Budget?
One of the downfalls of fresh fruit is that it’s often far more expensive than frozen fruit. But that makes perfect sense: you’re paying for a
higher-quality food. Budget-conscious buyers looking to improve their nutrition may opt for frozen fruits due to the price difference, but you’ll know where that extra money went when you bite into a fresh, ripe apple or peach. In this regard, you’ll have to determine your budget and plan your choices accordingly.
If taste is higher on your priority list and a majority factor in your food-buying decisions, fresh fruit is the way to go. DLJ Produce is home to the finest and freshest produce all year long. We supply our customers nationwide with fresh vegetables and fruits 365 days a year.
Call us to discuss fresh produce. We love to chat.
