A color-changing emulsion for use in a freeze indicator can employ a dispersion medium, for example, an aqueous liquid, a first reactant phase and a second reactant phase, which two reactant phases can both be dispersed in the dispersion medium. The pellicle is pre-baked at a predetermined temperature substantially below a glass transition temperature. Ligands are captured by this reticulated space through physical adsorption and caused to color with active substances reactive to the ligands.