nedkjølte

Nedkjølte is the past participle form of the Norwegian verb nedkjøle, meaning to cool down or refrigerate. As an adjective, it describes something that has been cooled to a lower temperature, typically for preservation or safety. In ordinary usage, nedkjølte is used in phrases like nedkjølte ingredienser or nedkjølte produkter, indicating that the items have been cooled but not frozen.

Etymology and form: The term comes from the prefix ned- (down) combined with kjøle (to cool). The form nedkjølte is the passato participle, used both attributively and predicatively, e.g., kjøttet ble nedkjølt or de nedkjølte grønnsakene.

Usage and contexts: Nedkjølte is common in food preparation, processing, and storage. Foods kept in a refrigerator are typically cooled to around 0–4 °C, which helps slow microbial growth. The term commonly appears in product descriptions and handling instructions to distinguish refrigerated items from frozen (frosne) or thawed (tiner) items. It implies that freezing has not occurred, although further cooling might be required for safety.

Related terms: Nedkjøling (the process of cooling), avkjøling (cooling down), kjøleskap (refrigerator), and nedfrysing or frysing for freezing. While nedkjølte focuses on cooling, other terms describe different temperature states or handling stages.

Notes: The exact temperature range associated with nedkjølte can vary by context and regulatory guidance, but the concept centers on cooling below ambient temperature without freezing.