Any tips on shipping food? (specifically bagels)

[MinnieTink]

My friend from high school is turning 40 soon. She currently lives across the country in a vast bagel wasteland. I was thinking of sending her a couple dozen bagels but I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this. At first was thinking freezing them and sending in dry ice, but now maybe I'm thinking that is nutz! And to just maybe individually wrap or baggy them and send them.

Any advice appreciated!

 

[cornflake]

H&H ships worldwide. I'm sure they know how -

Order bagels.

 

[Imzadi]

If you refrigerate bagels you will ruin them. They turn into overly chewy, rubbery hockey pucks. If you plan to freeze them, then you might as well send her some money to buy Lender's bagels in her local supermarket. They would come out the same texture and taste.

Ideally, NY/NJ bagels are only really fresh for about 2 days at the most. If you want to send them, put them in a plastic bag, place in a Flat Rate Priority Mail box and send them Flat Rate Priority mail. They should reach her in 3-4 days.

 

[ShesAPirate]

I think they get rubbery in plastic bags, too. I would put them in paper bags (just like they do at the bagel shop), then box 'em up and send them overnight. I guess they could go inside plastic after they're in paper -- but you definitely need that paper in there to absorb the moisture.

 

[cornflake]

If you freeze and thaw bread correctly, you can't tell the difference. Generally home freezers freeze at high temps, not evenly, too moistly, etc., but freezing is the way to go to ship bread/dough products.

Do it well on both ends (you can do it in a home freezer, it's just a bit riskier), and it'll come out just like it went in.

Shipping fresh bread to arrive three days later just wrapped... don't even bother. It'll be beyond stale and just gross.

 

[Imzadi]

I think they get rubbery in plastic bags, too. I would put them in paper bags (just like they do at the bagel shop), then box 'em up and send them overnight. I guess they could go inside plastic after they're in paper -- but you definitely need that paper in there to absorb the moisture.

I would feel funny about sending food only wrapped in paper. They could be stuck in the back of a truck full of gas or hazardous fumes & stuff that could invisibly seep into the bagels.

If you freeze and thaw bread correctly, you can't tell the difference. Generally home freezers freeze at high temps, not evenly, too moistly, etc., but freezing is the way to go to ship bread/dough products.

Do it well on both ends (you can do it in a home freezer, it's just a bit riskier), and it'll come out just like it went in.

Shipping fresh bread to arrive three days later just wrapped... don't even bother. It'll be beyond stale and just gross.

Exactly how is she supposed to thaw it "correctly" without turning into a rubber ball? You left that out of your post.

I would never eat a frozen bagel. I barely tolerate them when refrigerated.

I backed you on that wacko gun thread. But, NY bagels are something REAL to fight over.

 

[cornflake]

Exactly how is she supposed to thaw it "correctly" without turning into a rubber ball? You left that out of your post.

I would never eat a frozen bagel. I barely tolerate them when refrigerated.

I backed you on that wacko gun thread. But, NY bagels are something REAL to fight over.

I swear!

You're totally right, putting breadstuffs in the fridge ruins them, dries them out, makes a mess.

If you freeze and then thaw... gently - like let thaw at room temp - they'll be fine. You can also half thaw, then pop them in a well-misted or iced oven to let them get hot and the crusts get crusty again. They'll be like fresh bagels, really.

 

[SandrA9810]

I would look into next day air with UPS or FedEx. If you work for a company, look to see if you can use their shipping account and reimburse the cost.

The average walk in customer at one of those stores is going to pay a really high amount to ship. The discounts go with business customers that do daily shipping, so it might be fairly reasonable for overnight shipping.

Check with the local bakery shop too. They might provide the shipping as well, and hints on keeping the bread fresh.

 

[MinnieTink]

Thanks for the info. I looked on Fedex website and put in estimates of weight, size of packaging etc and it looks like all said it would cost about $150 to get these bagels to her promptly. That seems kookoo for bagels. I'm going to think of something else. Thanks for your help tho.

 

[herdtoDisney]

Why don't you try Express Mail from the USPS? It would be WAY less than $150!

 

[MinnieTink]

Why don't you try Express Mail from the USPS? It would be WAY less than $150!

Funny I looked at USPS after I posted the Fedex info. And you are correct. The shipping would be about $50 to get it there next day, it says before 12 pm. I may go that route. Thnx.

 

[dngnb8]

Vacuum sealing. There are numerous products that vacuum seal. This is the best preservative.

Then ship

 

[amid chaos]

I have sent bagels to many college students.

Put bagels in plasic zip loc type bags. If you are doing plain as well as flavored bagels, make sure they are separated.

Ship them OVERNIGHT the same day they are baked. They will arrive fresh.

Keep in mind, shipping is going to cost wayyyy more than the bagels but will be so appreciated.