Many people find that frozen dumplings from the supermarket freezer don't taste fresh or have a rich flavor, yet few pay attention to the expiration date of frozen foods. When buying frozen foods at the supermarket, be sure to pay attention to the following two points:
Understand the expiration date and freezing temperature
General dumplings can be stored for 3 months at -18°C. However, if they have not been kept at -18°C since they left the factory, it is not guaranteed that their quality will not degrade within 3 months. Therefore, when purchasing, check the production date printed on the package and try to choose products made within the last month. Foods with higher fat content, such as dumplings and tangyuan, require extra attention to freshness.
Inspect the product's condition
If fresh frozen goods like fish, meat, shrimp, dumplings, or vegetables are stored for a period where the temperature fluctuates, moisture migration and large ice crystal formation will occur. The product's quality is significantly reduced, and its texture and flavor will be greatly compromised. If storage continues, dumplings and wontons may also develop surface cracks. The fatty filling will then come into contact with oxygen, which can lead to obvious oxidation and spoilage. When purchasing, carefully inspect the product's condition. It is best not to buy "aged" fish fillets or shrimp that have turned into solid "ice bricks."