Description
Ice harvesting and storage involved cutting large blocks of ice from frozen lakes and storing them in insulated icehouses to preserve perishable goods before mechanical refrigeration.
Technical
The process relied on the phase change of water from liquid to solid, with the latent heat of fusion (~334 kJ kg⁻¹) removed by ambient cold. Low‑conductivity organic insulation (sawdust, straw) and underground pits reduced heat transfer, keeping internal temperatures below 0 °C and limiting melt to 1–2 % per month.
Science
Primary Reaction
H₂O(l) → H₂O(s) (freezing)
Sensory Profile
Aroma ()
earthydrycoldwoodymustycrisp
Origin & History
Civilization
Scandinavians and Russians
Era