Checking Quality

Appears in
Professional Cooking: 10th Edition
Professional Cooking

By Wayne Gisslen

Published 2025

  • About
Examine all frozen products when received to make sure they have experienced no loss of quality. Check in particular for the following:
  1. Temperature.

    Check the temperature inside the case with a thermometer. Is it still 0°F (–18°C) or below, or have the vegetables begun to thaw during shipment?

  2. Large ice crystals.

    A little frost is normal, but lots of ice means poor handling.

  3. Signs of leaking on the carton.

    This is another obvious sign of thawing.

  4. Freezer burn.

    Open a package and check the vegetables themselves. Is the color bright and natural, or is there yellowing or drying on the surface?