What Is Canning?
Canning is predominantly a food preservation method. In this process, food is preserved in canning jars at high temperatures for an extended period of time. This further destroys microorganisms and inactivates enzymes that could otherwise cause food spoilage. The method also stops the bacterial build-up that can ruin the food.
However, while canning food, you need to follow several important steps that can not be missed. The most crucial among them is to keep out the air. While canning involves vacuum sealing that protects the food from air contamination, you need to make sure that the food you are canning comes into minimal contact with air.
Why Should You Choose The Food Canning Method?
Food canning has a number of advantages. Foods in cans, especially fruits, and vegetables, become inexpensive, filling, delectable, and simple to prepare. The method of canning is also a great way to store food for longer.
Check out the benefits of canning food here.
- Food in cans is convenient to consume. This is because they can be available all year round and they are ready to use for meals. It might not always be possible to prepare fresh fruits and vegetables, so, canned foods come to the rescue.
- Canning food helps against food contamination and food wastage. The canning process preserves the food in a certain way that does not allow air contact. So, the food is not exposed to air and hence there is no contamination.
- Foods that are acidic in nature preserve best while canning. Canning is ideal for both low and high acidic food items, such as pickles, jellies, and most types of fruits. The reason for this is that these foods require only pasteurization temperatures for canning.
- Foods that are canned have an increased shelf-life. Generally, food items that last for about a week or a month, can last for a minimum of 3 months if canned properly. The shelf-life of canned food products depends on what you are canning.
- Canned food products are healthy and as nutritious as fresh food produce. Fruits and vegetables that are canned in their own juices instead of syrups have the maximum health benefits.
What Is The Process Of Canning Food?
Canning food is a simple 5-step approach. It is quite easy to can food, but make sure you follow the steps carefully. Check out the steps below.
- Fruits and veggies must be thoroughly washed before being canned. Run the fruits and vegetables under water sprays, blanch them, and then cut, peel, slice, grate, or chop accordingly.
- For canning, use particular fruit and vegetable juices. You can also use syrups or brine. Fill the cans with these liquids and food products you wish to can. Filling the can with both liquid and solid ingredients removes the air and leads to better canning.
- Once the cans are filled, close the lids and secure them tightly. Take a large pot and fill it with water. Bring it to a boil and put the cans of food in the hot water. Let the cans remain in the water bath for some time; this will drive out the remaining air.
- Heating the cans in a water bath appropriately will also destroy all microorganisms. Remove the cans from the water, sterilize them, and set them in cold water for cooling. You can also let them cool at normal room temperature.
- Lastly, when the canned foods have cooled completely, seal them. Also, do not forget to label and date the canning jars so that you know how long they have been canned. Once all of these steps are fulfilled, your food items are ready to be canned effectively.
What Are The Methods Of Canning?
The canning method determines the effectiveness of canning food. There are two most popular home canning methods: water bath canning and pressure canning. However, the methods differ depending on the type of food you want to can. Learn more about the ways of canning here.
Water Bath Canning
Water Bath Canning: Food items and recipes that are highly acidic are ideal for the water bath method as the procedure involves canning at a lower temperature. Jams, jellies, fruits, pickles, chutneys, tomatoes, salsas, sauces, and seasonings are examples.
Pressure Canning
Pressure Canning: This process uses high temperatures, and low-acid foods require this pressure canner method of preserving for a longer shelf-life. It is recommended for meats, chicken, vegetables, chili, and seafood.
How Do These Methods Work?
Now you know that canning is a food preservation technique that works well with most fruits and vegetables. You must also be aware of the process of canning food. But, how does canning work? How can canning help in preserving food for longer?
Canning essentially involves heating the sealed food for some time and this causes the food to expand and release steam. The formation of steam further forces air out of the cans. And when the cans are cooled, it creates a vacuum seal on the jar, thus improving the canning process.
Tips And Tricks For Home Canning Methods
While canning food, you need to follow the canning instructions adequately for desired results. However, there are a few tips and tricks that you can adhere to for improved canning. Check out the tips and tricks for canning food effectively.
- If you intend to can fruits and vegetables, use fresh and organic produce. Avoid overripe or slightly rotten fruits and vegetables.
- Use specific methods for different food items. Check whether the food you are canning has a high or low acid content and can accordingly.
- Leave a headspace between the food item and the jar lid. Otherwise, the jars will not seal adequately with canning lids if they are overfilled.
How Long Do Canned Foods Last?
Canning increases the shelf-life of food products by up to 2 years if the jars are kept unopened. If you open the jar, you need to consume the food within 3 months. However, the shelf-life of canned food items depends on what you are canning.
It is important that you store the canned foods in a cool and dry place for better results. Also, if you are canning sweet savories such as homemade jams, they can last for more than 2 years. This is because they contain sugar and sugar reacts extremely well to canning.
Summing it up, that was all about canning food, methods of canning, and the process of canning. So, the next time you want to preserve food for longer, you know what to do.