METHODS OF MATURING FOOD

摘要

It is intended to provide methods of maturing food whereby the extent of maturation of the food can be controlled. A method of maturing a food characterized in that the extent of the maturation of the food is controlled by supplying energy 1 to the frozen food and thus controlling the period of maintaining the temperature of the food at around the freezing point. A method of maturing a food characterized in that the food is matured by supplying energy 2 to the frozen food and thus controlling the period of maintaining the temperature of the food at around the freezing point to a definite level or longer. In a preferred embodiment, the thawing time of the whole food is controlled by, after applying the energy 1 or 2, further applying energy 3 having a larger heat supply per unit time than the energy 1 or 2 and adjusting the period of time of applying the energy 3 to a definite level or longer. In another preferred embodiment, an additional step, wherein the temperature gradient within the food is almost uniformized by, after applying the energy 3, further applying energy 4 having a heat supply per unit time smaller than the energy 3 is employed.