What is the most common food preservation method?

What is the most common food preservation method? Correct Answer heating

The correct answer is: 'C'.

Key Points

  • The most common food preservation method is heating.
  • Heating is an effective way to preserve food as harmful pathogens are killed at higher temperatures close to the water boiling point.
  • The application of heat to foods destroys most of the pathogenic microorganisms. 

Thus, the correct answer is: "Heating".

Additional Information

  • Food preservation is the process through which food is prevented from spoilage or decay.
  • Various methods are employed for food preservation, including drying, freezing, smoking, salting, vacuum packing, canning, adding sugars, and modified atmosphere packing.
  • Freezing: The process involves storing the food at temperatures below 0°C where microorganisms cannot grow. At this temperature, chemical and metabolic reactions are reduced. 
  • Fermentation: One of the ancient food preservation methods involving the breakdown of carbohydrates into alcohol or acid.
  • Freeze drying: It is a method of dehydrating frozen foods placed inside a vacuum. The moisture in the foods converts into a gaseous vapour that leaves the food during processing.

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