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7000 BCE
Early People
Early people did not have that much scientific knowledge so they would try out new things to see they work. They discovered that if meat was smoked it would last longer than regular meat. As the years went by we found out that the smoke slowed down the growth of bacteria. Therefore, the process of smoking is way to preserve food. -
6500 BCE
Adding Salt
In Salzburg, Austria salt mines were found. When salt is added to food it lasts longer because it removes the water in food. -
800 BCE
Cooling
Ancient Greeks discovered that when food is cooled by ice or snow it does not spoil as fast. Today, we use refrigerators to slow down the growth of bacteria. -
Storing
People discovered that storing food in a storage box with insulation helps the food last longer. -
Canning
A French chef discovered that food will last longer if you cook the food and seal it in metal cans. This process kills the bacteria. -
Pasteurisation
Louis Pasteur discovered Pasteurisation which involves heating the food to a very high temperature then cooling it quickly. Most of the existing bacteria gets killed during this process, so the food ends up lasting longer. -
Flash-freezing
Clarence Birdseye developed flash-freezing. This process is done by cooling food to a frozen state. Flash-freezing improves the Ancient Greek's idea and it keeps the foods colour to stop the growth of bacteria. -
Portable Refrigeration Unit
An inventor from Cincinnati created a portable refrigeration unit for trucks and train cars so food can be transported to different countries without being spoiled. -
Freeze Drying
Astronauts took freeze-dried foods to the moon, this combined two methods which included drying and rapid freezing. The useful life of food was increased by doing this process. -
Irradiation
Irradiation is the process of exposing food to an Irradiation field.