Methods for Cooling Blueberries After Harvest

Research has shown that blueberries tend to be an impulse buy for most consumers rather than a planned purchase. For this reason it is imperative that the blueberries which eventually make it to grocery stores be fresh, high quality, and visually appealing. In order to accomplish this goal the blueberries must be well cared for from planting, growth, and harvest, right on through to cooling, storage, transport, and display. The cooling and storage segment is especially important because it is during this crucial phase when the blueberries will either shrivel, rot, and decay or maintain their quality and thrive.

General Facts About Blueberries

Blueberries are commonly classified as either highbush or lowbush, with the term highbush referring to larger varieties of cultivated blueberries, including the vast majority of those commercially sold, and the term lowbush referring to smaller, wild varieties of blueberries, which are not as commonly sold. Blueberries are an early summer fruit and are highly perishable with a relatively short shelf life compared to many other types of fruits of vegetables. Depending on the weather and other conditions a blueberry field may be harvested as many as four times during the season, typically in intervals of about five to seven days. If the fields are harvested less often the result is typically over-ripe blueberries which are not as suitable for transport and sale, while harvesting more often is typically an inefficient use of labor and resources.

Blueberries are very susceptible to physical damage from careless or rough handling, picking, or mechanical harvesting. They should thus be handled very carefully and it is imperative that they be cooled rapidly and efficiently to preserve quality and extend shelf life. A successful cooling and storage system for blueberries is paramount.

General Information About Cooling and Storing Blueberries

If blueberries are allowed to remain at field harvest temperatures they are extremely perishable and will being to decline in quality very quickly. Visible signs of decay may be evident in warm, wet blueberries as soon as 12 hours or less after they have been harvested. For this reason they should never be held all day without proper cooling and storage. They should also not be picked while wet, such as immediately after or during a rainstorm, because wet blueberries are more susceptible to postharvest decay organisms such as the ones that cause gray mold and Alternaria rot. As a general rule of thumb blueberries should never go more than four hours without being cooled, but should be cooled sooner still if possible.

Respiration – Like other fruits blueberries are alive at the time of harvesting and continue to respire even after they have been picked. There is a natural rise in temperature due to this continued respiration. It has been estimated that blueberries generate about 22,000 Btu of heat per day per ton due to respiration. This is enough to raise their temperature by as much as 6°F. If that extra heat is not removed by cooling it will hasten the ripening and decay process.

Proper cooling will dramatically increase shelf life and slow the decay caused by respiration. That is because the respiration rate is directly impacted by the temperature of the blueberries. Blueberries respire at almost 20 times the rate at 80°F compared to 40°F. That means that they have almost 20 times the shelf life as well. The optimum temperature to slow respiration and increase shelf life is about 33°F to 34°F.

Humidity – Blueberries have a high water content and require a high relative humidity to remain moist and flavorful. If there is not adequate humidity in the air this can result in the blueberries becoming dried out and suffering water-related weight loss. The optimum relative humidity for blueberries is between about 90% and 95%.

Freezing – Blueberries will freeze at about 28°F. Freezing is a viable method of extending shelf life, but it must be done intentionally and quickly and the temperature should then be maintained below 0°F. Blueberries may suffer freeze damage if they are unintentionally subjected to temperatures below 28°F and then allowed to warm up again.

Correct Method of Cooling Blueberries

One of the most common cooling methods is called room cooling. In room cooling the product is placed in a refrigerated room and allowed to gradually cool to the ambient temperature. However, this method is not suitable for blueberries because the cooling rate is too slow to prevent continued degradation and quality loss. A large part of the problem is that the containers, wrappers, and plastic needed to hold the blueberries acts a kind of insulation, keeping the heat in. Room cooling not only results in inadequate cooling, but also non-uniform cooling, with some blueberries getting significantly cooler than others.

Forced-Air Cooling – The solution to this problem is forced-air cooling. In forced-air cooling, the blueberries are arranged around fans which then pull cooled air through the berries. This results in a much faster, and more uniform rate of cooling. Depending on the particular circumstances, forced-air cooling is about 16 to 20 times faster for cooling the blueberries than attempting to use still-air room cooling alone. This results in blueberries that have a much longer shelf life and which will reach the end consumer in much better condition.

For businesses that sell blueberries and blueberry products, be they farms, factories, or grocery stores, quality is of the essence. It is the quality of the product around which the business will build and maintain its reputation and keep customers coming back. SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC can help with this crucial area by supplying industry-leading, efficient, customizable blueberry cooling equipment and systems. Our products and product lines are versatile and can be developed to suit each customer’s unique requirements.

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Methods for Storing and Cooling Onions After Harvest

As we cover methods for cooling onions, they are one of the most widely used food items in the US. They are an important flavoring component in countless dishes and are even eaten raw on sandwiches and salads. Onions are also rich in antioxidants and flavonoids which may bring a number of healthful benefits including anti-cholesterol, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer. For onions to properly serve their crucial culinary and nutrition niche, they must be stored, cooled and transported carefully in ways that take the quality and freshness needs of the onion into consideration.

General Facts About Onions

The phrase onions encompasses a wide array of different bulb vegetables in the Allium genus, including such exotic members as the Egyptian onion (A. ×proliferum), The Japanese bunching onion (A. fistulosum), and the Canada onion (A. canadense) to name just a few. However, most varieties of common onions are in the A. cepa species, including red onions, yellow onions, white onions, shallots, and potato onions, each of which has a different and distinct flavor.

Onions pose a unique challenge to growers because unlike many other fruits and vegetables which can go straight from harvest into cooling and storage, onions need to be dried first. In some regions onions are dried in the field; however, areas with high humidity and rainfall during onion harvesting season must instead dry the onions by other means such as in bins and barns, often with carefully regulated humidity and temperature.

General Information About Cooling and Storing Onions

Like other fruits and vegetables onions have specific cooling needs which include factors such as temperature, humidity, handling, and storage. As discussed above onions also require drying. Depending on the resources available some farmers have had success repurposing equipment and facilities used for drying tobacco, peanuts, and other crops into use for drying onions.

Drying – Drying is crucial to reduce the onion’s susceptibility to decay organisms, extend their shelf life, and vulnerability to bruising. Even dried onions are of course still subject to eventual decay and physical damage, but drying helps provide them with extra time and resistance. Drying times will vary from two or three days if heated air is used, to anywhere upwards of one or more weeks if only ambient air is used.

Humidity – During drying onions should be exposed to a relative humidity of about 65%. Higher humidity levels will lengthen drying times or even prevent full drying. This will also increase the onion’s risk of neck rot and other problems. Once the onions are dried and are in cold storage a slightly higher humidity of about 70% to 75% is generally acceptable.

Temperature – During drying heated air temperature should be 100°F. Higher temperatures should be avoided since anything over 110°F can damage the onion. Once the onion is dried it should be stored in a cooler or cool environment with a temperature between 32°F and 36°F. It is important to prevent the temperature from reaching 31°F or lower because his will subject the onion to freeze damage.

Storage – Temperature and humidity greatly impact how long an onion can viably be stored and at what rate the onion loses mass. Onions stored in temperatures 50°F or higher may be subject to sprouting.

Exposure to Other Produce – Onions should also be kept separate from other fruits and vegetables, both to protect the onion and the other food. That is because onions will readily leach moisture from other produce, drying out the other food and exposing the onion to too much moisture for proper storage. Onions also have a very pungent odor and many other types of produce may absorb the smell.

Cooling Method for Onions

Onions should be cooled using the room cooling method. This involves placing them in a refrigerated room or large walk-in cooler. It is important to continue monitoring temperature and humidity levels while the onions are in the cooler.

Long-Term Storage

Onions can also successfully be placed in controlled atmosphere storage for even longer-term storage. This involves carefully regulating not only temperature and humidity levels, but also the onion’s exposure to gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. Onions in controlled atmosphere storage may last up to 8 months with minimal quality loss.

SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC offers quality cooling equipment that can be customized and designed to fit the needs of onions. We can also tailor our systems to the particular capacity demands and other requirements of our customers. Please contact us for more information.

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How Slush Ice Systems Serve the Food Industry

Slush ice systems play a critical role in the US and global Food Industry. They help maintain the quality of food while adapting to a range of different demands, needs, and concerns. Slush ice systems are also very versatile and are used in a diverse range of environments such as fishing boats, warehouses, industrial facilities, and more. In this article we’ll highlight some of the key ways slush ice systems serve the food industry as well as what capabilities these systems feature.

What Is Slush?

Slush ice is a mixture of tiny ice crystals and water. The tiny ice crystals are essentially snow ice and together with the water they form a liquid slurry. Slush may be intentionally created with the use of machinery and human intervention or it may occur naturally in nature as a result of partially melted ice and snow.

How Do Slush Ice Systems Benefit Food?

Slush ice systems are used extensively in the food industry for many different types of food including fruits, vegetables, and other produce, as well as fish, shellfish, poultry and other meats. Slush ice systems bring a number of important benefits to these foods including:

Prevention of Spoilage – Many types of food, particularly fish and seafood begin to go bad almost immediately if they are not iced down as soon as they are caught. This makes slush and ice systems crucial because without them the food product would never be able to reach end consumers without spoiling

Extension of Shelf Life – Not only do slush systems help prevent spoilage, but in many cases they can dramatically extend shelf life. This makes it possible for grocery stores to display food longer and gives consumers more time to eat it after it’s been purchased.

Preserves Taste – Another major benefit to food from slush ice systems is that slush ice helps maintain freshness and preserve taste. Some slush ice systems use salt in the water, which can affect the food’s taste and raise sodium levels. However, many slush ice systems, including SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC’s Sno Pac line, do not use any salt at all, thereby preserving the purity of the taste.

Protects Nutrients – Slush ice systems also benefit the growing consumer trend toward healthier, more nutritious food choices because slush ice helps lock in nutrients and vitamins and keeps food healthy and natural without the addition of chemicals or preservatives.

What Are the Advantages of Slush over Block or Cubed Ice?

Many of the advantages discussed above are true of ice systems in general. However, slush ice does have some important advantages over non-slush ice such as block ice, cubed ice, etc. Slush ice is able to fully surrounding a food product and cool it very quickly and effectively. The liquid slush is able to get into all crevices and open spaces, ensuring a full, even cooling. Slush ice systems are also very versatile and can be used in a range of different settings for various different needs and purposes.

What Capabilities Do Slush Ice Systems Have?

Easy Drainage – Slush can be easily drained by using boxes and containers with an open, grated bottom. After instantly cooling the food, the water will simply drain through while leaving a blanket of protective snow on the food.

High Capacity – Slush ice systems are available in a full range of different capacity and flow rates. They can effectively be utilized even for industries and settings that demand a very high capacity.

Continuous Flow – Some slush ice systems also feature a continuous flow. This allows the machine to operate steadily and often in an automated fashion by utilizing conveyor belts and automatic dispensers.

Energy Efficient – Energy costs are a concern for most industrial and commercial businesses. Many slush ice systems have been specifically designed with this concern in mind and operate economically and at peak efficiency levels.

Superior Safety – Slush ice systems are also designed to carefully keep all circuitry and electronic components away from the actual water and ice, thereby keeping users safe.

Recapture Systems – Many slush ice systems also employ a recapture system to collect and recycle the used water and ice. This helps keep the system operating as efficiently and economically as possible.

SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC has a range of slush ice systems that it sells through its Sno Pac line of products. These systems have been carefully designed and developed to maximize quality, efficiency, and safety. Our units are available in a range of different capacities and can be customized to fit just about any customer’s slush ice needs.

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Welcome to the New SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC Website

Welcome to the new website of SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC. Our company provides high quality, expert cooling and freezing systems. In this news and resources section we will discuss a range of cooling and freezing solutions, tips, considerations, and general information for a range of industries and products. In this first post we want to familiarize you with what our website and company has to offer.

Customized Systems

SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC has a full range of ice and cooling systems that are designed to assist with everything from precooling and storage, to freezing and ice products, to scales and blowers. These systems can be customized to fit each particular customer’s needs.

Cooling & Hydro Coolers – Our Arctic Rain product line delivers state-of-the-art hydrocooling, ideal for precooling vegetables and produce.

Ice Banks – Our self-contained, moving floor ice banks are ideal for portable or permanent installation and feature a wide range of ice producing and storage capabilities.

Ice Storage Bins – SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC’s ice storage bins feature a sloped bottom for easy dispensing with mechanical ice breaking and agitation systems to ensure great ice flow.

Ice Rake Bins – SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC’s ice rake bins are galvanized, heavy duty, and designed to virtually eliminate rake hangups.

Ice Crushers & Ice Blowers – Our ice crushers and blowers are versatile, accepting and crushing tube ice, block ice, and fragmented ice and delivering the blowing power and distance our customers need.

Scales and Pneumatic Blowers – SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC offers reliable, highly accurate ice making scales in an array of different capacities, perfect for a range of industries. Our pneumatic ice blowers are capable of reaching an impressive 600 feet of blowing distance.

Slush Ice Cooling Systems – Our Sno Pac line of slush ice cooling systems is perfect for an assortment of different fruits, vegetables, and produce. The systems instantly cools the product with liquid ice slush, leaving behind a blanket of protective snow and ensuring perfectly chilled food.

Products Offered

SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC Ice offers turnkey, modular fabricated products that can be customized to fit each customer’s cooling, refrigeration and ice storage needs. Our user friendly website allows visitors to browse and select products, add them to a bid package, and build their own ice system from the ground up. The combinations and possibilities can be selected for tailored price quotes and product information.

Industries Served

SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC serves several major industries and sectors including: produce, seafood, meat & poultry and even entertainment. The industries we serve may be varied, but rest assured that SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC takes the time to understand the concerns, advantages, and challenges inherent in each of these industries.

Mobile Friendly

SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC’s new website is mobile friendly. Whether you are looking up information on your smartphone, checking out the website from a tablet, or scrolling through on a desktop or laptop we want you to have a great user experience and find all the information and resources you need.

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