Tips and tricks on how to properly store dried fish at home

Dried fish is a product rich in beneficial substances, including fatty acids that are valuable for the body.

Under suitable conditions, it retains its aroma and pleasant taste for a long time.

But even with proper storage, the shelf life of the product is limited, and after this period the fish should not be eaten.

We will tell you in this article how to properly store dried fish.

General rules

Dried fish, when compared to dried fish, contains less moisture - it is drier and saltier. Depending on the conditions, such a product can last from a week to a year.

At the same time, it is important that the fish is not only stored and transported correctly, but also prepared in accordance with the rules.

The optimal conditions for its maintenance are the following:

1. Protection from direct sunlight.
2. Good ventilation.
3. Air humidity is from 60 to 70%.
4. Temperature ranges from +1 to 8? C.

The humidity in the place where dry fish is kept should be moderate. An environment that is too humid will not only affect the consistency of the fish product, but may also lead to mold.

Too low humidity is also not desirable – the carcasses will dry out and become unfit for consumption.

Shelf life

Depending on the storage location and temperature conditions, the shelf life of the product may vary.Exceeding the storage period is not permissible, as it poses a health hazard.

Optimal temperature

It is best to store dried fish at temperatures up to +8-10? C. Under such conditions, with the exception of freezing, the shelf life of the product will be as long as possible. If you plan to freeze dried fish, then this should be done immediately, without allowing it to sit for months beforehand.

How to choose dry fish?

When purchasing finished products in a retail chain, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics:

• the pulp should be elastic;
• there should be no mucus, stains or parasites on the surface;
• the scales should be dry and shimmer in the light;
• the smell should be characteristic and pleasant.

Fish that is questionable due to its appearance should not be purchased.

Where to keep it at home?

At home, you can store the product not only in the refrigerator, but also in pantries, on verandas and in other rooms where it is possible to create the most suitable conditions.

Fridge

Dried fish can be stored in the refrigerator at low temperatures above zero. Before placing the product on the shelf, it should be wrapped in wax paper.

If the carcasses are large, then each one must be packaged separately. For small ones, the option of packing several pieces together is suitable.

It is advisable to separate the product from the rest of the refrigerator contents so that the smell does not transfer. In such conditions, the food product can be kept for several months - up to six months.

You should not replace wax paper with newspaper when packing., since in the latter case the product will be in constant contact with printing ink.

Is it possible in the freezer?

Frozen dried fish can retain its taste for up to 12 months.

Before sending for storage, carcasses need to be prepared. Each fish is first wrapped in paper and then packed into a bag.

It should be packed tightly, trying to leave as little air in the package as possible. Wrapping in paper is necessary so that the fins do not damage the package. If this happens, the product will lose a lot of moisture, and after defrosting it will no longer be so tasty.

If defrosting is necessary, You only need to take out the right amount of product from the freezer. In this case, it is advisable not to force the defrosting process, but to carry it out at room temperature, without subjecting it to any forced heating.

Glass jar

2 or 3 liter glass jars can also be used to store dried fish. The container itself must first be washed, sterilized and dried. Dried fish can be kept in a closed jar for up to a year.

This method has its own characteristics. Therefore, you should act according to the rules:

1. Place the carcasses tightly in the jar.
2. Place a candle inside and light the wick.
3. Roll up the lid.
4. Once the candle stops burning, there will be no oxygen left inside the jar. Thanks to the vacuum, the storage time increases.

You can clearly see how the whole process happens in the video:

Vacuum packaging

Vacuum packaging allows you to preserve dried fish for up to a year. This is due to the fact that the product is kept without access to oxygen, and putrefactive processes cannot affect it.

Suspended

In a suspended state it is possible to store individually or in bundles. It is advisable that the carcasses do not touch each other.

The finished bundles are wrapped with parchment on top. This will protect the fish from drying out and prevent the smell from spreading. In this form, the bundles are placed in a cool place with a humidity of about 80%.

In boxes

Wooden boxes can be used to store dried fish. Pre-prepared carcasses are wrapped in paper. And the boxes are lined with cotton cloth or gauze.

In foil

Dried fish can be stored using foil only under certain conditions:

• Carcasses should not be wrapped tightly, as such packaging will not allow the product to “breathe”;
• It is advisable to have a layer of paper between the foil and the carcass.

When packaged this way, dried fish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to six months.

Prohibitions

When storing dried fish for a long time, It is important to avoid these common mistakes:

1. Finding the product in a room with high humidity or, conversely, very low humidity.
2. Storage in a plastic bag, foil or other packaging without access to air (exception - vacuum).
3. Storage with other products.

Violation of these rules can lead to rapid spoilage of fish.

Signs of a spoiled product

If the rules for maintaining a dried fish product are violated, it may be damaged. At the same time, it becomes unsafe for health and should not be eaten.

Signs of product spoilage:

• yellowing;
• wet surface;
• stickiness;
• mucus on the surface;
• mold;
• unpleasant odor;
• bitter taste.

Conclusion

Storing dried fish is not difficult to organize correctly if you know all the possible options. The choice of the optimal method should take into account the amount of product and the very possibility of maintaining conditions for its maintenance.