What You Need to Know
During freezing, ice crystals grow within the cytoplasm, mechanically disrupting membranes and forcing intracellular aldehydes, esters, sugars, amino acids, and organic acids into the surrounding matrix. The subsequent thaw allows these volatiles to diffuse, while the 9 % volume expansion concentrates Maillard precursors, enhancing non‑volatile flavor intensity. Controlled cycles preserve texture and limit microbial growth.
The Science
Primary Reaction
Ice crystal formation ruptures cell membranes, releasing intracellular flavor compounds