The global IQF vegetable market alone is worth over $1,149 million USD globally and is set to continue rising. Given this is only a small part of the entire IQF market, it’s safe to say IQF foods are in growing demand across the globe.
But, for those out of the loop, IQF foods may sound strange or potentially harmful. However, that’s anything but the truth. Let’s break down the basics of IQF foods and how they can improve businesses cost-efficiency.
The Basics of IQF Foods
IQF stands for individually quick frozen, each individual piece of food is frozen separately. This results in no large blocks of food stuck together.
Food that is IQF does not form large ice crystals. This preserves the fibers of the food and keeps quality from degrading during the freezing process.
Perhaps you’re unfamiliar with IQF foods because they sometimes masquerade under other names. Different terminology for IQF, which you may be more familiar with, includes:
- Flash freeze
- Quick freeze
- Super freeze
Whether you call it flash-frozen food or IQF food, it’s all referencing the same freezing process.
What Type of Foods are Commonly IQF?
When preparing to implement IQF into your own menu, it helps to know where to start. Typical IQF foods are:
- Shrimp
- Chicken
- Steak
- Fries
- Vegetables (peas, green beans, corn)
- Berries
IQF foods can be bought wholesale by businesses or through retail stores for use in the home kitchen.
How Do IQF Foods Benefit You?
The question remains, “Why use IQF food?”
If you’re unsure whether you should begin stocking and serving IQF foods, consider the following common benefits:
- No preservatives
- Retains nutritional value
- Less waste from spoiled food
- Access to off-season meats, fruits, and vegetables
- Quality is as fresh as pre-frozen form
- Easy to prepare small portions
With these positive benefits in mind, it’s no wonder more restaurants and retailers are turning to IQF foods for farm-to-table solutions.
Can I Flash Freeze My Own Food?
Flash freezing can be achieved from your own home using a blast chiller, IQF freezer or even a regular freezer. This is accomplished by placing the individual pieces of food separate of each other onto a baking sheet before placing them into the freezer.
Businesses who need IQF food in a larger quantity can turn to a company that specializes in IQF foods. These companies will usually offer the ability to warehouse your frozen goods as well.
When trying to scale your own business, you can benefit from the cost-efficiency that comes with serving IQF foods. As a retailer or a restauranteur, you can work with a company like SunLeaf Foods to store or purchase IQF foods for use at your business. This is much more cost-effective than working with non-IQF foods.
Getting Familiar with IQF Foods
By name alone, IQF foods might sound strange. In reality, it is a simple solution to farm-to-table sourcing and storage problems.
Check out our blog for more information on eco-friendly eating insights.