We all know freezing is a great way of preserving foods. But believe it or not, the process can make some things taste even better.

我们都知道冷冻是一种很好的储存食物的方式，但是你知道么，冷冻还能让食物变得更好吃。

From cakes to curries¹, freezing brings out more of their flavour and boosts the texture².

不论是蛋糕还是咖喱，冷冻之后，这些食物的味道会更加浓郁、口感更加宜人。

CAKES

蛋糕

If you think nothing beats the gooey deliciousness of a home-made cake fresh from the oven, think again. Resist the temptation to cut that first slice straight away and, instead, put your cake into the freezer.

如果你觉得自己做的蛋糕从烤箱里拿出来的那一刻是最好吃的话，那么你将蛋糕放进冰箱里冷冻之后再尝尝试试。

After being frozen for 24 hours, the sponge will be even bouncier because this process boosts the moisture, so you get an even creamier and softer centre.

冷冻24小时之后，海绵状的面包会更有弹性，因为冷冻会增加湿度，所以奶油蛋糕会更加松软美味。

Let your cake cool entirely³, then put it into the freezer without a wrapping. Once frozen solid, wrap it in clingfilm, and it can be kept frozen for up to three months.

蛋糕做好完全冷却之后，不带任何包装的放入冰箱里冷冻。待冻硬之后，裹上一层保鲜膜，再继续冷冻，这样可持续保鲜三个月之久。

When you are ready to tuck in, defrost for up to three hours, until thawed⁴.

想吃的时候，拿出来化冻大概三个小时以后就可以开始享受了。

HERBS AND SPICES

香料

Keeping fresh herbs in the freezer will intensify⁵ their flavour because they take on moisture during the freezing process.

把新鲜的香料放在冰箱里冷冻后能增强味道的浓度，因为冷冻过程增加了湿度。

Tough herbs such as rosemary and thyme preserve the best, but ginger⁶, lemongrass, garlic and chilli will last up to six months when frozen.

迷迭香、百里香等最适于冷冻保存，而姜、柠檬香草、蒜、辣椒等冷冻能保存6个多月。

Just pop stems in a plastic container and freeze.

冷冻之前只需要把它们放进一个塑料袋中就可以了。

CRISPS

薯片

Left out for just a few hours, crisps will start going stale and soggy. But even wrapping left-overs in clingfilm to seal out the oxygen won’t keep them super crunchy.

一包薯片打开几个小时之后就会受潮变软很难吃，即使用保鲜膜密封与空气隔绝也还是不能保持薯片的酥脆感。

So if you’ve ever found yourself scoffing⁷ a big bag just so that they aren’t wasted, stop right now. Pop the crisps in an airtight bag and place them in the freezer. They will stay fresh for at least two months.

在变得难吃之前不得不将一整包薯片尽快吃完这种事也许以后不会发生了。因为把薯片放进真空袋子里冷冻保存可以让薯片保持酥脆至少两个月。

NUTS

坚果

Once you open a bag of nuts, the clock starts ticking. As nuts have a high oil content, they go rancid very quickly.

一包坚果一旦被打开，它们的口感就在一点一点下降。因为坚果的含油脂度很高，所以它们非常容易变坏。

Now, you have a solution — freezing will preserve the flavour and texture instantly.

现在，冷冻可以解决这个问题，能保持坚果的味道和品质。

To freeze peanuts, walnuts⁸, pecans, macadamias, cashews, hazelnuts and almonds (shelled or unshelled), wrap them in clingfilm, then place them in a resealable bag.

不论是去壳还是没去壳，花生、胡桃、美洲山核桃、澳大利亚坚果、腰果、榛果、杏仁等这些坚果都可以先用保鲜膜装着，然后放进一个可再密封袋中冷冻。

They will keep for up to a year and, when you want to eat them, they’ll defrost in less than an hour.

这样可以保存长达一年之久，想吃的时候拿出来化冻只需不到一个小时的时间。

TOMATOES

番茄

Fed up with struggling to peel the skins off tomatoes? Freeze them first then, once thawed for two hours, the skin will come off easily.

每次都觉得番茄去皮很麻烦？那就先放进冰箱里冷冻，然后化冻之后再去皮试试，会简单很多。

That’s because the freezing process loosens the skins. While you probably won’t want to use frozen tomatoes in salads, as it makes the flesh slightly squishy, it does intensify the flavour.

因为冷冻过程让番茄皮变得更松。虽然你可能不想用冷冻之后的黏糊糊的番茄做沙拉，但实际上这样会让味道更好。

CURRY⁹

咖喱

Curries don’t only have to be enjoyed the first time round — you can freeze the leftovers¹⁰ and reheat when needed.

咖喱并不是只有第一顿的时候好吃，你可以把剩下的放进冰箱里冷冻，然后想吃的时候拿出来加热。

And hey presto¹¹!, they taste even yummier. That’s because, as the curry cools, the flavour and aroma¹² compounds mingle¹³ together, developing more seasoned notes.

冷冻之后，咖喱的味道更好。这是因为冷冻时，咖喱的味道和香味融合在一起，引发了更浓郁的口感。

RASPBERRIES

覆盆子

Frozen raspberries are great scattered¹⁴ on muesli, added to ice cream or whizzed in smoothies.

冷冻之后的覆盆子最适合洒在牛奶什锦早餐中，还有冰淇淋或冰沙上。

While freezing may make the berries a bit softer, it accentuates¹⁵ their sharp, fresh flavour, too.

虽然冷冻之后覆盆子可能会变得更软，但它的味道会更突出。

Place your berries in a single layer on a baking tray and put the tray in the freezer.

冷冻时将覆盆子放在一个托盘上，然后把托盘放进冰箱里。

Once they are frozen, you can put them into an airtight bag or plastic container and store in the freezer. They will stay good for up to a year.

冻硬之后，再把它们放进一个密封袋或塑料袋中保存在冷冻室中。这样能够保鲜一年。

BANANAS

香蕉

Fancy a healthy, guilt-free ice cream? Then tuck into a frozen banana after dinner.

想吃一份健康、不会增肥的冰淇淋吗？那么就在晚饭后来一根冷冻香蕉吧。

Bananas have a high pectin content, which gives them a creamy, rich texture when frozen — just like ice cream.

香蕉的果胶含量很高，所以冷冻后它能像冰淇淋一样粘稠美味。

To freeze, peel a ripe banana and chop into thin slices. Put into an airtight container and freeze until solid (around two hours).

冷冻之前，香蕉去皮然后切成薄片，放入一个密闭的容器中然后放进冰箱里。

Decant¹⁶ the slices into a blender or food processor and whizz. In seconds, your frozen banana will look just like ice cream and taste every bit as yummy.

吃的时候将这些冷冻的薄片倒出，几秒之后，冷冻香蕉看起来就像冰淇淋一样，每一口吃起来都很美味。