What artificial method achieves a similar softening effect to natural frost on freshly picked sloes?
Answer
Artificial freezing (placing them in a freezer)
Since waiting for a natural hard frost can be unreliable or inconvenient for cooks and foragers, an alternative and highly common practice is artificial softening through freezing. Picking the sloes before the frost and placing them in a freezer for several days mimics the effect of a natural frost. This process effectively breaks down the harsh tannins, which softens the texture and mellows the harshness, making the fruit ready for immediate use in preserves or infusions without delay.
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