Thermal Properties of Foods

For your cooling load and cold storage calculations: the initial freezing point, specific heat (above and below freezing) and latent heat values of 206 food items. Search, filter by category, sort by column.

206food items

19categories

ASHRAEsourced data

206 foods listed.


Ağır krema (whipping cream) Heavy whipping	Cream	57,71	—	3,25	2,32	193
Ahududu Raspberries	Fruits	86,57	−0,6	3,96	1,91	289
Akçaağaç şurubu Maple syrup	Other	32	—	2,41	—	107
Alabaş Kohlrabi	Vegetables	91	−1	4,02	1,9	304
Ananas Pineapples	Fruits	86,5	−1	3,85	1,91	289
Ananas suyu, şekersiz Pineapple juice, unsweetened	Beverages	85,53	—	3,81	1,81	286
Armut Pears	Fruits	83,81	−1,6	3,8	2,06	280
Avokado Avocados	Fruits	74,27	−0,3	3,67	1,98	248
Ayva Quinces	Fruits	83,8	−2	3,79	2,13	280
Badem Almonds	Nuts	4,42	—	2,2	—	15
Bal Honey	Other	17,1	—	2,03	—	57
Bal kabağı Pumpkins	Vegetables	91,6	−0,8	3,97	1,81	306
Bamya Okra	Vegetables	89,58	−1,8	3,97	2,05	299
Barbunya (lima fasulyesi) Beans, lima	Vegetables	70,24	−0,6	3,52	2,07	235
Bektaşi üzümü Gooseberries	Fruits	87,87	−1,1	3,95	1,96	293
Berlam balığı (whiting) Whiting	Fish	80,27	−2,2	3,77	2,15	268
Biber, dondurarak kurutulmuş Peppers, freeze-dried	Vegetables	2	—	—	—	7
Biber, tatlı, yeşil Peppers, sweet, green	Vegetables	92,19	−0,7	4,01	1,8	308
Bonfile (sirloin), yağsız Sirloin, lean	Beef	71,7	−1,7	3,53	2,11	239
Böğürtlen Blackberries	Fruits	85,64	−0,8	3,91	1,94	286
Braunschweiger (ciğer sosisi) Braunschweiger	Sausages	48,01	—	3,01	2,4	160
Brokoli Broccoli	Vegetables	90,69	−0,6	4,01	1,82	303
Brüksel lahanası Brussels sprouts	Vegetables	86	−0,8	3,9	1,91	287
Buharlaştırılmış süt (evaporated) Evaporated	Milk	74,04	−1,4	3,56	2,08	247
But (round), tam kesim, yağlı-yağsız karışık Round, full cut, lean and fat	Beef	64,75	—	3,39	2,18	216
But (round), tam kesim, yağsız Round, full cut, lean	Beef	70,83	—	3,52	2,12	237
But, bütün, yağsız Leg, whole, lean	Lamb	74,11	—	3,62	2,14	248
Camembert peyniri Camembert	Cheeses	51,8	—	3,1	3,34	173
Ceviz Walnuts, English	Nuts	3,65	—	2,09	—	12
Cheddar peyniri Cheddar	Cheeses	36,75	−12,9	2,77	3,07	123
Çikolatalı dondurma Chocolate	Ice Cream	55,7	−5,6	3,11	2,75	186
Çikolatalı süt, %2 yağlı Chocolate milk, 2% fat	Beverages	83,58	—	3,78	1,83	279
Çilek Strawberries	Fruits	91,57	−0,8	4	1,84	306
Çilekli dondurma Strawberry	Ice Cream	60	−5,6	3,19	2,74	200
Dana (veal), yağsız Veal, lean	Beef	75,91	—	3,65	2,09	254
Dana döşü (brisket) Brisket	Beef	55,18	—	3,19	2,33	184
Deniz tarağı (clam) Clams	Shellfish	81,82	−2,2	3,76	2,13	273
Domates suyu Tomato juice	Beverages	93,9	—	4,03	1,71	314
Domates, olgun Tomatoes, ripe	Vegetables	93,76	−0,5	4,08	1,79	313
Domates, olgun yeşil Tomatoes, mature green	Vegetables	93	−0,6	4,02	1,77	311
Domuz karnı Belly	Pork	36,74	—	2,8	3,37	123
Domuz pastırması (bacon) Bacon	Pork	31,58	—	2,7	2,7	105
Domuz sosisi Pork	Sausages	44,52	—	2,95	2,43	149
Elma suyu, şekersiz Apple juice, unsweetened	Beverages	87,93	—	3,87	1,78	294
Elma, kurutulmuş Apples, dried	Fruits	31,76	—	2,57	2,84	106
Elma, taze Apples, fresh	Fruits	83,93	−1,1	3,81	1,98	280
Enginar Artichokes, globe	Vegetables	84,94	−1,2	3,9	2,02	284
Erik Plums	Fruits	85,2	−0,8	3,83	1,9	285
Fındık (filbert) Filberts	Nuts	5,42	—	2,09	—	18
Fıstıklı gevrek şeker (brittle) Peanut brittle	Confectionery	1,8	—	1,77	—	6
Fileto (tenderloin), yağsız Tenderloin, lean	Beef	68,4	—	3,45	2,14	228
Frankfurter sosis Frankfurter	Sausages	53,87	−1,7	3,15	2,31	180
Frenk salatası (endivya) Endive	Vegetables	93,79	−0,1	4,07	1,69	313
Frenk üzümü, Avrupa siyah Currants, European black	Fruits	81,96	−1	3,71	1,95	274
Frenk üzümü, kırmızı ve beyaz Currants, red and white	Fruits	83,95	−1	3,85	1,98	280
Gouda peyniri Gouda	Cheeses	41,46	—	2,87	2,77	138
Greyfurt Grapefruit	Fruits	90,89	−1,1	3,96	1,89	304
Greyfurt suyu, şekerli Grapefruit juice, sweetened	Beverages	87,38	—	3,85	1,78	292
Havuç Carrots	Vegetables	87,79	−1,4	3,92	2	293
Hindi Turkey	Poultry	70,4	—	3,53	2,28	235
Hurma, kurutulmuş Dates, cured	Fruits	22,5	−15,7	2,31	2,3	75
Ispanak Spinach	Vegetables	91,58	−0,3	4,02	1,75	306
Istakoz, Amerikan Lobster, American	Shellfish	76,76	−2,2	3,64	2,15	256
İncir, kurutulmuş Figs, dried	Fruits	28,43	—	2,51	4,13	95
İncir, taze Figs, fresh	Fruits	79,11	−2,4	3,7	2,25	264
İstiridye Oysters	Shellfish	85,16	−2,2	3,83	2,12	284
İsviçre peyniri Swiss	Cheeses	37,21	−10	2,78	2,88	124
İşlenmiş Amerikan peyniri Processed American	Cheeses	39,16	−6,9	2,8	2,75	131
İtalyan sosis Italian	Sausages	51,08	—	3,1	2,37	171
Jambon, geleneksel tuzlanmış, yağsız Ham, country cured, lean	Pork	55,93	—	3,16	2,31	187
Jambon, tuzlanmış, bütün, yağsız Ham, cured, whole, lean	Pork	68,26	—	3,47	2,22	228
Kabak, kışlık Squash, winter	Vegetables	87,78	−0,8	3,89	1,87	293
Kabak, yazlık Squash, summer	Vegetables	94,2	−0,5	4,07	1,74	315
Kaburga, bütün (6-12. kaburgalar) Ribs, whole (ribs 6-12)	Beef	54,54	—	3,16	2,32	182
Kahve kreması (table cream) Table	Cream	73,75	−2,2	3,59	2,21	246
Kara lahana Kale	Vegetables	84,46	−0,5	3,82	1,86	282
Karaciğer Liver	Beef	68,99	−1,7	3,47	2,16	230
Karışık kesimler, yağsız Composite of cuts, lean	Lamb	73,42	−1,9	3,6	2,14	245
Karides Shrimp	Shellfish	75,86	−2,2	3,65	2,16	253
Karkas Carcass	Pork	49,83	—	3,08	3,1	166
Karkas, seçme kalite Carcass, choice	Beef	57,26	−2,2	3,24	2,31	191
Karkas, standart kalite Carcass, select	Beef	58,21	−1,7	3,25	2,24	194
Karnabahar Cauliflower	Vegetables	91,91	−0,8	4,02	1,84	307
Karpuz Melons, watermelon	Fruits	91,51	−0,4	3,97	1,74	306
Kavun (kantalup) Cantaloupes	Fruits	89,78	−1,2	3,93	1,91	300
Kavun, bal kavunu (honeydew) Melons, honeydew	Fruits	89,66	−0,9	3,92	1,86	299
Kavun, casaba Melons, casaba	Fruits	92	−1,1	3,99	1,87	307
Kayısı Apricots	Fruits	86,35	−1,1	3,87	1,95	288
Kereviz (kök) Celeriac	Vegetables	88	−0,9	3,9	1,89	294
Kısa bel (short loin), porterhouse biftek, yağsız Short loin, porterhouse steak, lean	Beef	69,59	—	3,49	2,14	232
Kızılcık (cranberry) Cranberries	Fruits	86,54	−0,9	3,91	1,93	289
Kızılcık-elma meyve suyu içeceği Cranberry-apple juice drink	Beverages	82,8	—	3,73	1,84	277
Kızılcık-üzüm meyve suyu içeceği Cranberry-grape juice drink	Beverages	85,6	—	3,81	1,8	286
Kiraz Cherries, sweet	Fruits	80,76	−1,8	3,73	2,12	270
Kola Cola	Beverages	89,4	—	3,9	1,76	299
Konserve, koyulaştırılmış, şekerli süt Canned, condensed, sweetened	Milk	27,16	−15	2,35	—	91
Krema peyniri (cream cheese) Cream	Cheeses	53,75	—	3,16	2,91	180
Kremalı gazoz Cream soda	Beverages	86,7	—	3,83	1,79	290
Kuru erik Prunes, dried	Fruits	32,39	—	2,56	3,5	108
Kuru erik suyu Prune juice	Beverages	81,24	—	3,71	1,87	271
Kuru üzüm, çekirdeksiz Raisins, seedless	Fruits	15,42	—	2,07	2,04	52
Kuşkonmaz Asparagus	Vegetables	92,4	−0,6	4,03	1,79	309
Lahana Cabbage	Vegetables	92,15	−0,9	4,02	1,85	308
Levrek (perch) Perch	Fish	78,7	−2,2	3,71	2,15	263
Limburger peyniri Limburger	Cheeses	48,42	−7,4	3,03	2,82	162
Limon Lemons	Fruits	87,4	−1,4	3,94	2,02	292
Limon suyu Lemon juice	Beverages	92,46	—	3,99	1,73	309
Limon-misket limonu gazozu Lemon-lime soda	Beverages	89,5	—	3,9	1,76	299
Lor peyniri (cottage), kremasız Cottage, uncreamed	Cheeses	79,77	−1,2	3,73	1,99	266
Mandalina Tangerines	Fruits	87,6	−1,1	3,9	1,93	293
Mango Mangos	Fruits	81,71	−0,9	3,74	1,95	273
Mantar Mushrooms	Vegetables	91,81	−0,9	3,99	1,84	307
Marşmelov Marshmallows	Confectionery	16,4	—	2,02	—	55
Marul, iceberg Lettuce, iceberg	Vegetables	95,89	−0,2	4,09	1,65	320
Maya, ekmekçi mayası, sıkıştırılmış Yeast, baker's, compressed	Other	69	—	3,55	2,17	230
Maydanoz Parsley	Vegetables	87,71	−1,1	3,93	1,94	293
Meyve punç içeceği Fruit punch drink	Beverages	88	—	3,87	1,78	294
Mezgit balığı (haddock) Haddock	Fish	79,92	−2,2	3,75	2,14	267
Mezgit türü balık (pollock), Atlantik Pollock, Atlantic	Fish	78,18	−2,2	3,7	2,15	261
Misket limonu (lime) Limes	Fruits	88,26	−1,6	3,93	2,03	295
Misket limonu suyu, şekersiz Lime juice, unsweetened	Beverages	92,52	—	3,99	1,73	309
Morina balığı Cod	Fish	81,22	−2,2	3,78	2,14	271
Mozzarella peyniri Mozzarella	Cheeses	54,14	—	3,15	2,46	181
Muz Bananas	Fruits	74,26	−0,8	3,56	2,03	248
Nar Pomegranates	Fruits	80,97	−3	3,7	2,3	270
Nektarin Nectarines	Fruits	86,28	−0,9	3,86	1,9	288
Omuz, bütün, yağsız Shoulder, whole, lean	Pork	72,63	−2,2	3,59	2,2	243
Ördek Duck	Poultry	48,5	—	3,06	2,45	162
Pancar Beets	Vegetables	87,58	−1,1	3,91	1,94	293
Parmesan peyniri, sert Parmesan, hard	Cheeses	29,16	—	2,58	2,94	97
Patates, ana ürün Potatoes, main crop	Vegetables	78,96	−0,6	3,67	1,93	264
Patlamış mısır, havada patlatılmış Popcorn, air-popped	Other	4,1	—	2,04	—	14
Patlamış mısır, yağda patlatılmış Popcorn, oil-popped	Other	2,8	—	1,99	—	9
Patlıcan Eggplant	Vegetables	92,03	−0,8	4,02	1,83	307
Pekan cevizi Pecans	Nuts	4,82	—	2,17	—	16
Peynir altı suyu, asit, kurutulmuş Whey, acid, dried	Milk	3,51	—	1,68	—	12
Peynir altı suyu, tatlı, kurutulmuş Whey, sweet, dried	Milk	3,19	—	1,69	—	11
Pırasa Leeks	Vegetables	83	−0,7	3,77	1,91	277
Pisi/kalkan balığı (halibut) Halibut	Fish	77,92	−2,2	3,74	2,18	260
Polonya sosisi (kielbasa) Polish	Sausages	53,15	—	3,14	2,36	178
Portakal Oranges	Fruits	82,3	−0,8	3,81	1,96	275
Portakal suyu Orange juice	Beverages	89,01	−0,4	3,9	1,76	297
Portakallı gazoz Orange soda	Beverages	87,6	—	3,86	1,78	293
Ravent Rhubarb	Vegetables	93,61	−0,9	4,05	1,83	313
Ringa balığı, tütsülenmiş Herring, kippered	Fish	59,7	−2,2	3,26	2,27	199
Rokfor peyniri Roquefort	Cheeses	39,38	−16,3	2,8	3,36	132
Root beer (bitkisel gazoz) Root beer	Beverages	89,3	—	3,9	1,76	298
Salatalık Cucumbers	Vegetables	96,01	−0,5	4,09	1,71	321
Sap kereviz Celery	Vegetables	94,64	−0,5	4,07	1,74	316
Sarımsak Garlic	Vegetables	58,58	−0,8	3,17	2,19	196
Sırt yağı Backfat	Pork	7,69	—	2,17	2,98	26
Soda (maden sodası) Club soda	Beverages	99,9	—	4,17	1,63	334
Soğan Onions	Vegetables	89,68	−0,9	3,95	1,87	300
Soğan, kurutulmuş pul Onions, dehydrated flakes	Vegetables	3,93	—	—	—	13
Somon, pembe Salmon, pink	Fish	76,35	−2,2	3,68	2,17	255
Su teresi Watercress	Vegetables	95,11	−0,3	4,08	1,69	318
Sütlü çikolata Milk chocolate	Confectionery	1,3	—	1,83	—	4
Şalgam Turnip	Vegetables	91,87	−1,1	4	1,88	307
Şalgam (isveç turpu/rutabaga) Rutabaga	Vegetables	89,66	−1,1	3,96	1,92	299
Şalgam yaprağı Turnip greens	Vegetables	91,07	−0,2	4,01	1,74	304
Şeftali, kurutulmuş Peaches, dried	Fruits	31,8	—	2,57	3,49	106
Şeftali, taze Peaches, fresh	Fruits	87,66	−0,9	3,91	1,9	293
T-bone biftek, yağsız T-bone steak, lean	Beef	69,71	—	3,49	2,14	233
Tam yağlı süt Whole	Milk	87,69	−0,6	3,89	1,81	293
Tam yağlı süt tozu Whole, dried	Milk	2,47	—	1,85	—	8
Tarak (deniz tarağı) eti Scallop, meat	Shellfish	78,57	−2,2	3,71	2,15	262
Tatlı mısır, sarı Corn, sweet, yellow	Vegetables	75,96	−0,6	3,62	1,98	254
Tatlı patates Potatoes, sweet	Vegetables	72,84	−1,3	3,48	2,09	243
Tavuk Chicken	Poultry	65,99	−2,8	4,34	3,32	220
Taze fasulye Beans, snap	Vegetables	90,27	−0,7	3,99	1,85	302
Tereyağı Butter	Dairy	17,94	—	2,4	2,65	60
Ton balığı, mavi yüzgeçli (bluefin) Tuna, bluefin	Fish	68,09	−2,2	3,43	2,19	227
Trabzon hurması (cennet elması) Persimmons	Fruits	64,4	−2,2	3,26	2,29	215
Turp Radishes	Vegetables	94,84	−0,7	4,08	1,77	317
Tütsülenmiş halka sosis Smoked links	Sausages	39,3	—	2,82	2,45	131
Uskumru, Atlantik Mackerel, Atlantic	Fish	63,55	−2,2	3,33	2,23	212
Üzüm suyu, şekersiz Grape juice, unsweetened	Beverages	84,12	—	3,77	1,82	281
Üzüm, Amerikan Grapes, American	Fruits	81,3	−1,6	3,71	2,07	272
Üzüm, Avrupa tipi Grapes, European type	Fruits	80,56	−2,1	3,7	2,16	269
Üzümlü gazoz Grape soda	Beverages	88,8	—	3,89	1,77	297
Vanilyalı dondurma Vanilla	Ice Cream	61	−5,6	3,22	2,74	204
Vanilyalı fondan (fudge) Fudge, vanilla	Confectionery	10,9	—	1,9	—	36
Vişne Cherries, sour	Fruits	86,13	−1,7	3,85	2,05	288
Yaban havucu Parsnips	Vegetables	79,53	−0,9	3,74	2,02	266
Yaban mersini Blueberries	Fruits	84,61	−1,6	3,83	2,06	283
Yaban turpu (bayır turpu) Horseradish	Vegetables	78,66	−1,8	3,7	2,12	263
Yağsız süt (skim) Skim	Milk	90,8	—	3,95	1,78	303
Yağsız süt tozu Skim, dried	Milk	3,16	—	1,8	—	11
Yam Yams	Vegetables	69,6	—	3,47	2,06	232
Yaprak lahana (collard) Collards	Vegetables	90,55	−0,8	4,01	1,86	302
Yarım yağlı krema (half and half) Half and half	Cream	80,57	—	3,73	2,16	269
Yemeklik teke sakalı (salsify) Salsify (vegetable oyster)	Vegetables	77	−1,1	3,65	2,05	257
Yer elması Artichokes, Jerusalem	Vegetables	78,01	−2,5	3,63	2,25	261
Yer fıstığı, çiğ Peanuts, raw	Nuts	6,5	—	2,23	—	22
Yer fıstığı, tuzlu kuru kavrulmuş Peanuts, dry roasted with salt	Nuts	1,55	—	2,08	—	5
Yeşil bezelye Peas, green	Vegetables	78,86	−0,6	3,75	1,98	263
Yumurta akı White	Eggs	87,81	−0,6	3,91	1,81	293
Yumurta akı, kurutulmuş (toz) White, dried	Eggs	14,62	—	2,29	2,1	49
Yumurta sarısı Yolk	Eggs	48,81	−0,6	3,05	2,25	163
Yumurta sarısı, şekerlenmiş Yolk, sugared	Eggs	51,25	−3,9	3,07	2,54	171
Yumurta sarısı, tuzlanmış Yolk, salted	Eggs	50,8	−17,2	3,01	3,79	170
Yumurta, bütün Whole	Eggs	75,33	−0,6	3,63	1,95	252
Yumurta, bütün, kurutulmuş (toz) Whole, dried	Eggs	3,1	—	2,04	2	10
Zencefil kökü Ginger, root	Vegetables	81,67	—	3,75	1,94	273
Zencefilli gazoz Ginger ale	Beverages	91,2	—	3,95	1,73	305
Zeytin Olives	Fruits	79,99	−1,4	3,76	2,07	267

Specific heat: kJ/(kg·K)Latent heat: kJ/kg“—” : data not available

Practical Takeaways from the Table

Lowest freezing points

High salt and sugar content lowers the freezing point.

Egg yolk, salted−17,2 °C

Roquefort cheese−16,3 °C

Dates, cured−15,7 °C

Sweetened condensed milk−15,0 °C

Highest latent heat

The higher the water content, the larger the freezing load.

Cucumber321 kJ/kg

Lettuce (iceberg)320 kJ/kg

Watercress318 kJ/kg

Radish317 kJ/kg

Freezing point in fish and meat

Most seafood begins to freeze around −2.2 °C; the storage temperature is chosen accordingly.

Fish (cod, salmon…)−2,2 °C

Shrimp, oyster−2,2 °C

Beef carcass (choice)−2,2 °C

Chicken−2,8 °C

What Do the Terms in the Table Mean?

What is the initial freezing point?

It is the temperature at which the water in a food begins to form ice crystals. Because the water in foods is not pure (salt, sugar and minerals are dissolved in it), freezing begins below 0 °C. The cold room temperature is set above this value so the product does not freeze unintentionally.

What is specific heat?

It is the energy required to change the temperature of 1 kg of food by 1 °C (kJ/(kg·K)). Two separate values are given, above and below the freezing point; the specific heat of frozen food is lower because the specific heat of ice is roughly half that of water.

What is latent heat (heat of fusion)?

It is the energy that must be removed as the water in the food turns to ice, without any change in temperature (kJ/kg). In freezing processes it is the largest component of the total cooling load and is directly proportional to water content.

How are these values used in calculations?

Product cooling load is calculated in three steps: cooling to the freezing point (specific heat ↑), freezing (latent heat) and cooling to the storage temperature (specific heat ↓). They are summed with the formulas Q = m·c·ΔT and Q = m·L to determine equipment capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't foods freeze at 0 °C?▾

The water in foods contains dissolved substances such as salt, sugar and minerals. Solutions freeze at a lower temperature than pure water (freezing-point depression). That is why lettuce begins to freeze at −0.2 °C, while salted egg yolk does not freeze until −17.2 °C.

Why is the freezing point important when choosing a cold room temperature?▾

In fresh storage, if the room temperature drops below the product's initial freezing point, the cell structure is damaged by ice crystals; the tissue deteriorates and shelf life shortens. For this reason the set point is kept a safe margin above the freezing point in the table.

Which value determines a freezing tunnel's capacity?▾

The largest share is latent heat: freezing 1 tonne of cucumbers requires removing ~321,000 kJ for the phase change alone. Adding the sensible heat loads before and after freezing, plus packaging and fan loads, gives the tunnel capacity.

Why are some values blank for dried foods?▾

In very low-moisture products (milk powder, nuts, chocolate) there is almost no free water to freeze; a distinct freezing point and below-freezing specific heat cannot be defined. For these products the cooling load is calculated from sensible heat only.

What is the source of the data?▾

The values are based on the composition data in the ASHRAE Handbook — Refrigeration, "Thermal Properties of Foods" chapter. They are typical/average values and may vary by variety, ripeness and processing. A safety margin should be left in project calculations.

Source: ASHRAE Handbook — Refrigeration, Thermal Properties of Foods. Values are for informational purposes.