The Frozen Kind

• Frozen fruits are fresh fruits that are harvested and frozen immediately. Some varieties are frozen along with sugar or syrup, while others fruits are frozen without additives. To prevent freezer burn or crystallization, fruit is flash frozen using a low-temperature chamber, then stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Strawberries, blackberries, peaches, and pineapple come in frozen versions.

Fruits in a Can

• Canned fruits are fresh fruits that are picked fresh and immediately canned. Unlike frozen fruits, canned fruits are stored in a syrup, juice or other liquid before they're sealed into cans. Once sealed, the cans are cooked to preserve the fruits and allow them to be stored without refrigeration. Canned fruits may contain sweeteners, spices and additional flavorings or colorings to maintain their appearance and texture.

The Nutritional Stigma

• Frozen and canned fruits have comparable -- and in some cases higher -- nutritional content than fresh fruits, according to the Produce for Better Health Foundation (see reference 1). This is because fruits are canned or frozen immediately after they're harvested, which means fewer nutrients are lost. Fresh fruits, on the other hand, have time to degrade before they are picked, delivered, bought and placed in your fruit bowl.

In Recipes

• Canned and frozen fruits are ideal when you plan to use them in recipes. More often than not, the fruits have been pitted, peeled, de-stemmed and sliced. Canned fruits are better suited for gelatins, glazes, pies and fruit toppings. Frozen fruits work well in drinks and smoothies, cakes and pastries, fillings, jams or jellies. Because canned fruits often contain sugar and syrups, use them in recipes that benefit from the additional flavors.

Storage Factors

• Frozen fruits have a shorter storage life than canned. Most must be used within one year of purchase; four to six months for frozen citrus fruits. Canned fruits stored in temperatures no warmer than 75 degrees Fahrenheit can last one year or more, depending on the manufacturer's use of preservatives and additives. Do not used fruit in cans that are bulging or badly dented. Once canned fruits are opened, the fruit must be refrigerated and will keep for an additional one to three days.