Yes, there's really an ideal freezer temperature for ice cream. Here's how cold to keep it for the best-tasting scoop.
Here’s the Right Freezer Temperature for the Best-Tasting Ice Cream
What’s better than a scoop of your favorite ice cream? Two scoops, of course! On days hot enough to melt pavement, the cold treat is pure bliss. But unless you’re a fan of soupy sundaes (hey, no judgment here), you know how important the correct freezer temperature for ice cream is.
Not only does knowing the right ice cream temperature give you that perfect smooth texture in each bite, but it also saves your ice cream from freezer burn, the icy and grainy stuff that often develops after a long stint in the freezer and makes ice cream taste stale. Before stashing tubs of your favorite ice cream in the freezer, you might want to know that the ideal ice cream storage temperature is actually colder than you ever imagined. While most freezer manufacturers suggest setting your freezer temperature to anywhere from zero to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, it turns out that food experts believe this frozen treat is best served much chillier.
Read on to find out what Jon Oldroyd, the senior director of research and development at Blue Bunny Ice Cream, and Michael Friedlander, the founder of one of New York City’s most popular ice cream destinations, Holey Cream, suggest is the right freezer temperature for ice cream to remain both fresh and tasty.
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What is the right freezer temperature for ice cream?
Many frozen dessert experts agree that it may be time to turn the temperature settings on our freezers down by a few degrees to best satisfy our summer cravings. But by how much? According to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the freezer temperature for ice cream should be zero degrees Fahrenheit or colder. Maintaining this freezer temperature, the IDFA notes, will give you ice cream that is “thoroughly frozen.”
“Ice cream should be stored at as cold a temperature as possible—zero degrees Fahrenheit or less in a grocery store or a home freezer,” Oldroyd confirms. “The ideal serving temperature for most packaged, scoopable ice cream is 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Friedlander says you might want to keep the temperature even lower than that. “The proper temperature to eat ice cream is definitely 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, but when it comes to storage, it has to be much lower,” he says. The ice cream should feel hard to the touch, not mushy or soft, giving you that perfectly smooth texture in your first bite.
Why is ice cream temperature important?
The freezer temperature for ice cream matters because it preserves texture and flavor, both of which are important for foods that are stored and eaten. “When ice cream is exposed to fluctuations in temperature, it becomes subject to adverse changes in texture and flavor,” explains Oldroyd.
In other words, it’s not enough to just freeze the food at the right temperature. You need to keep it at that temperature if you want the best-tasting scoop each time. Letting the carton sit on the counter until the ice cream gets melty and then refreezing it isn’t a great idea. “The flavor is best when it never gets a chance to melt because melting and refreezing causes crystallization, and that’s the dreaded freezer burn flavor everyone hates,” says Friedlander.
FAQs
Can I accidentally overfreeze my ice cream?
The short answer is no. A study published in the Korean Journal for Food Science of Animal Resources found that not only is storing ice cream at temperatures lower than zero degrees Fahrenheit absolutely OK, but in some cases, the lower the ice cream temperature, the better the overall product quality. If you choose to store your ice cream in a freezer that’s a bit colder than zero degrees, the only potential downsides would be the electricity bill and the extra time it takes for your ice cream to come to the 5- to 10-degree serving temperature.
How do I scoop hard ice cream?
Tolerating melty ice cream just because it’s so easy to scoop is not it. If you’re wondering exactly how to scoop extra cold pints and half gallons, it turns out you need to invest in the right equipment.
“You know what most people don’t know? All the ice cream shops use scoops with antifreeze built right into the handle,” says Friedlander. “But if you’re at home and plan to eat it right away, don’t be shy about popping a pint in the microwave for just a few seconds to loosen it.” However, he advises against doing so if you plan to have the rest later—in which case, investing in an ice cream scooper with an antifreeze is the way to go.
How can I keep my ice cream fresh?
Just like every other food item, ice cream has an expiration date. But there are steps you can take to keep it fresh for longer. For starters, adjust your freezer temperature to zero degrees Fahrenheit or lower. When storing, remember that the back of the freezer is where temperatures stay cold and constant, so place your tub of ice cream there.
Another tip that most people overlook is to keep the container tightly sealed and flip it upside down to fend off freezer burn. Always avoid frequent thawing and refreezing (although the best of us are guilty of it). Try your best to scoop quickly and promptly return the carton to the freezer to keep your ice cream fresh.
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Sources:
- International Dairy Foods Association: “Tips on Storing & Handling Ice Cream”
- Korean Journal for Food Science of Animal Resources: “Effect of Frozen Storage Temperature on the Quality of Premium Ice Cream”
