Four Ways to Safe Food Preparations

Studies shows that the way we cook our food is common cause of food contamination.   Germs such as campylobacter, salmonella and E. coli are found in our kitchen.  These can easily be spread if we are not careful.  Our hands serves the primary transport of these germs to our food and even pets at home. It is important that we wash our hands with soap after touching the bin, using the toilet, touching any raw food and when cooking. Inadequate food handling is the common cause of food contamination / food poisoning.  One key factor also is to keep all kitchen utensils (Popsicle maker, bread knife, cake and pie server, chef’s knife, colander, fish slicer and etc.

In cases where foods aren’t cooked, proper storage should be observed. This is to preserve the food freshness and to avoid rotting.  If food isn’t stored properly, it can cause serious food poisoning, flu, colds and other conditions.

In general there are effective ways to prepare and cook your food safely.  In doing these you can ensure that your food is safe to eat and free from germs that causes illness.

1.      Hand washing- Germs are spread through our hands, it is important to keep our hands sanitize every time.  The only way to sanitation is through washing hands with warm water and soap.  It also good to use hand sanitizers and alcohol. 

2.     Washing Fruits and Vegetable- The best way to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables is to wash them through running water before cooking/eating them.  Washing can effectively remove visible dirt and bacteria that are found in the surface.  Peeling can also be as effective in removing these germs. Never use any other cleaning products (especially chemicals) to your fruits and vegetables as this might not be good for consumption. It might that some chemicals stay on the foods that can cause poisoning.

3.      Cooking - Temperature is a crucial part in cooking, it is important that harmful bacteria are killed. In general, bacteria are killed at temperature hotter than 75C.  Below are list of foods that should be cooked thoroughly before eating.

·         Pork

·         Poultry

·         Sausages

·         Burgers

·         Kebabs

·         Meal

If you cooked that you are not going to eat immediately, keep it cool within 90 minutes and store in fridge. Foods that are put hot inside the fridge can cause food poisoning.

4.     Cleaning up - Wash chopping boards and other cooking utensils before and after cooking, as these can cause contamination in food.  According to studies, chopping board has more fecal bacteria than an average toilet seat.  Wet sponges and cloths are also perfect place for these bacteria to breed.  In fact, kitchen sponges have the highest number of germs in any other place of your home.  It is important that you replace these sponges, cloths, rugs, and towel frequently.

The Cold History of Popsicles

In the past, our favorite ice pops have outpaced other sweets and desserts in the race for America’s best nostalgic dessert.  During that time what we know popsicles are called artisan popsicles.  Unlike cupcakes and other portioned sweet condiments, popsicles have never been controlled over the consumption of the American people.  No wonder why Popsicle has evolved over time, and how this succumb trends in food preparations.

Ironically, contemporary popsicles are merely versions of treat invented by Frank Epperson in 1905.  Popsicle today still follows the same process of mixing ingredients and freezing till it become frozen pop.  Significantly, according to some, cherry has become the first flavor for ice pop as this was determined through the patented sketch in 1923.

As years gone by, popsicles popped up in the limelight with new colors and flavors.  Popsicles reached massive boot as it became America’s most favored condiment that era.  Other than historical attributes,   fancy popsicles today are just frozen water with artificial flavors in the past.  The popsicles we enjoyed today underwent innovation as other all desserts made their upgrade in taste too.

As a results, popsicles have beaten its ordinary taste as chocolate, tangerine and avocado flavors have been introduced in the market.  This twist in popsicles grew its marketability and thus leads to few more flavors such as orange, grape and cherry which became a well-liked flavor in the market.

Within the years, Popsicle maker arises which began the first market for ice pops in America.   The first companies are Kold Kake of New Jersey, Good Humor of Ohio, M-B Ise Kream of Texas.   Good humor and Popsicle (which are now under Unilever) agreed on a wary truce in which popsicles should be made of frozen desserts from water, and Good Humor shall then have the ice cream market.  But since, the market wants diversity in the development of ice milk, product named Fudgesicle arise as a product made of chocolate and butterscotch.

There are also other significant events in the history of popsicles, we have the two stick Popsicles during the era of depression.   For reason of affordability, Popsicle maker have to find an alternative way to sell Popsicle to the consumers who that time has no money to spend for popsicles.  The thought of two stick popsicles is for sharing, where you can share the other stick with your sibling, friend or mate which is more economical than the single Popsicle.