What are some traditional methods of food preservation used before modern refrigeration?

Methods like curing, which includes salting, spicing, and drying meat or fish, were used to preserve food.

Fill in the blank: Food processing helps in making delicate foods, like grapes or strawberries, easier to transport by ___ them.

Preserving

True or False: Food processing always enhances the nutritional value of food.

False. While food processing can enhance nutritional value, over-processed foods may lose essential nutrients.

What is one benefit of food processing related to seasonal availability?

Modern processing and transportation allow access to fruits and vegetables year-round, supporting a balanced diet.

Riddle: I can be made into jam or pickles, preventing spoilage and extending usability, what am I?

Processed food

Explain how food processing can cater to dietary needs.

Food processing meets dietary needs.

• Creates alternative products.

• Supports allergy management.

• Caters to health conditions.

What is a common example of a processed meat product in South Africa?

Biltong, which is dried meat.

Fill in the blank: One advantage of food processing is convenience, as processed foods are quicker and easier to ___ .

Prepare

What role does food processing play in extending the shelf life of products?

Food processing involves techniques that prevent spoilage and enhance preservation, allowing food to last longer.

What are the three levels of food processing, and how do they differ in terms of alteration from the raw product?

Three levels of food processing exist.

• Minimally processed foods retain nutrients.

• Processed ingredients alter original structure.

• Highly processed foods contain additives.

Fill in the blank: Highly processed foods often contain ___, which may affect health if consumed excessively.

Additives like sugar, salt, or preservatives

True or False: Minimally processed foods have a longer shelf life compared to highly processed foods.

False. Minimally processed foods have a short shelf life, while highly processed foods have a longer shelf life.

What health concerns are associated with highly processed foods?

Health risks of processed foods.

• Lower nutritional value.

• Harmful additives present.

• Linked to health issues.

Riddle: I start as fresh fruits and vegetables, but after a little washing and chopping, I’m ready to eat. What am I?

Minimally processed foods

Fill in the blank: Processed food ingredients often have ___ added back to them to compensate for nutrient loss during processing.

Vitamins or minerals

What is one primary reason that processing can reduce the natural nutrient content of foods?

Processing often involves methods such as heating or refining that can destroy or diminish the nutrient content of the original food.

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of highly processed food? A) Fresh fruit B) Canned vegetables C) Snack foods D) Whole grains

C) Snack foods

What is the traditional method used by Zulu women to make beer, and what ingredients are primarily involved?

Zulu women traditionally make beer (utshwala) using sorghum and maize, involving processes such as soaking, boiling, mashing, cooling, and filtering.

Fill in the blank: The process of converting dairy into cheese or yogurt is known as ___.

Fermenting

True or False: Pasteurization involves cooling milk to extend its shelf life.

False. Pasteurization involves heating milk to a specific temperature to kill bacteria and extend shelf life.

What are the key performance parameters in food processing that ensure efficiency and safety?

Key performance parameters include hygiene, energy efficiency, minimal wastage, labour efficiency, and minimal factory shutdowns.

Riddle: I can preserve your food by removing my moisture, but I’m often used in freezing. What am I?

Freeze drying

Fill in the blank: The process of preserving vegetables in vinegar or brine is called ___.

Pickling

What is the purpose of adding sugar during food processing?

Adding sugar preserves berries or fruits as jams or preserves.

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a method of food processing? (A) Salting (B) Fermenting (C) Ignoring (D) Freezing

C) Ignoring