Question

Ancient methods of food preservation include

• A. Pasteurizing and sterilizing
• B. Canning, blanching, and irradiating
• C. Freezing and boiling
• D. Drying, smoking, and fermenting

Answer 1

The correct option is D Drying, smoking, and fermenting

Ages-old food preservation techniques include drying, smoking, cooling, freezing, fermenting, salting, pickling, and canning. Drying and smoking are one of the most ancient methods of food preservation. It works because it removes much of the food's water. Without adequate water, microorganisms cannot multiply and chemical activities greatly slow down. Prehistoric cave dwellers heat-dried meat and fish, which probably led to the development of smoking as another way to preserve these foods. Fermentation was particularly useful for people in southern climates, where cooling and freezing were not practical. When a food ferments, it produces acids that prevent the growth of organisms that cause spoilage. Grapes, rice, and barley were fermented into wine and beer by early people. Fermentation also was used to produce cheese and yogurt from milk.

Therefore, the correct answer is option D.