Food Preservation Vocabulary

adjective forming a tight seal that does not allow air or other substances to pass through

• The airtight container kept the food fresh for a longer period of time.
• Make sure you seal the bag airtight to keep the chips from going stale.
• I always zip my backpack airtight so nothing falls out.
• Her alibi was airtight, so there was no way she could have committed the crime.

verb to dry out thoroughly; remove the moisture from

• The arid climate caused the plant to desiccate and wither away.
• Leaving your skin out in the sun too long can desiccate it.
• If you don't water your plants, they'll totally desiccate.
• The lack of creativity in his writing seemed to desiccate his once vibrant imagination.

noun the process of removing moisture from something

verb the action of removing moisture from something

• The drying process must be carefully monitored to ensure proper moisture levels are reached.
• I left the laundry out on the line for drying, hopefully it doesn't rain.
• I'm just gonna toss these clothes in the dryer for a quick drying sesh.
• His tears were like a never-ending river, never fully drying up.

noun a microscopic organism, especially a bacterium, virus, or fungus

• Microorganisms are microscopic organisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
• Did you know that microorganisms are everywhere around us?
• Those tiny bugs are actually microorganisms.
• The spread of rumors is like a swarm of microorganisms infecting everyone's minds.

noun the action of cooling something, especially food, to below the temperature at which bacterial growth occurs

• The laboratory samples need to be stored at a specific temperature using refrigeration.
• Make sure you put the leftovers in the fridge so they don't spoil.
• I'm gonna chill this drink in the fridge before we drink it.
• His emotions were on ice, like a frozen heart that needed thawing out.

noun a temperature below zero degrees

adjective describing a temperature below zero degrees

• The temperature dropped to subzero levels overnight.
• It's freezing outside, the temperature is subzero!
• I can't handle this subzero weather, it's too cold.
• His heart felt subzero after she broke up with him.

noun the quality or property of absorbing moisture from the air

• The hygroscopicity of the material makes it ideal for use in humidity control systems.
• This material is super hygroscopic, so it's great for keeping things dry.
• Dude, this stuff sucks up moisture like a sponge - it's so hygroscopic!
• Her personality had a hygroscopicity about it, always absorbing the emotions of those around her.

verb to freeze again

• After thawing the meat, it is important to make sure it is cooked before you refreeze it.
• If you defrost the ice cream, you can't just refreeze it and expect it to taste the same.
• Don't refreeze that pizza, it's already been thawed out twice!
• Once you break someone's trust, it is difficult to refreeze the relationship back to its original state.

noun a substance added to food to preserve its acidity or to aid in the fermentation process

• The acidifiant added to the food product helps to preserve it and maintain its freshness.
• Make sure you read the label for any acidifiant in the ingredients list.
• I heard that some acidifiants can really mess with your stomach.
• In life, challenges can act as an acidifiant, shaping and molding us into stronger individuals.

verb to make something acidic by adding acid or lowering the pH level

• The solution was acidified to a pH of 4 before conducting the experiment.
• We had to add acid to lower the pH before starting the test.
• We had to sour it up a bit before getting things going.
• The situation was already tense, and his remarks only acidified the atmosphere further.