13/05/2024
Preserving made easy
You can enjoy fruits and vegetables from your garden even in colder seasons. It's very easy to preserve food! Just give it a try.
Food can be preserved using numerous methods. The method of canning has been used since our grandmothers' time. Although canning has been almost completely replaced by the freezer, preserving food in jars is becoming increasingly popular again.
What is canning?
Canning, also known as preserving or stewing, is a physical method of preserving food. It involves heating and hermetically sealing the food to preserve it and kill any potential germs.
Advantages of canning
- Shelf life: Canned foods have a longer shelf life. Heating and sealing the jars airtight kills microorganisms, thus extending the shelf life.
- Healthy eating: Preserving preserves most of the nutrients and vitamins in food. Seasonal fruits and vegetables taste just as delicious in winter!
- Cost savings: When you cannerize food in bulk, you can take advantage of discounted prices. You can also avoid food waste by using up surplus harvests or leftovers.
- Homemade delicacies: Preserved jam, vegetables, etc. not only taste good but are also a great gift for friends and family.
- Environmentally friendly: By canning, you reduce the need for industrially produced canned goods and plastic packaging.
The most important steps in preserving
1. Preparing the food:
- Washing and peeling the food
- Remove the seeds, stems and inedible parts.
2. Prepare glasses:
- Rinse the jars and lids with hot water
- Sterilize the jars in boiling water or heat in the oven
3. Filling the glasses:
- Fill food into the prepared jars
- Make sure there are no air bubbles in the glass.
4. Sealing the jars:
- You should make sure that the jars are hermetically sealed.
5. Heating the glasses:
- Place the jars in a preserving pan or oven.
- Heat it to the required temperature
6. Let cool:
- After heating, remove the jars from the pot or oven and let them cool slowly so that a vacuum forms.
7. Storage:
- Store the preserved jars in a cool, dark place.
- Label the jars with contents and date
How long do canned foods last?
Storing jars in a cool, dark place can significantly increase their shelf life. Depending on the food, you can still enjoy them safely weeks, months, or years later. However, you should still carefully check whether the food is still edible when opening it.
Fruits and jams:
Preserved fruit and jams have a shelf life of approximately one year. However, if stored properly, they can be enjoyed for longer.
Vegetables:
Canned vegetables last approximately 6 months to 1 year. Some varieties, such as tomatoes or pickled cucumbers, can last even longer.
Fish and meat:
Meat and fish, when prepared and stored properly, should keep for about six months. Pressure cookers or automatic canning machines are ideal for safely preserving these foods.
Soups and stews:
Soups and stews can also keep for about 6 months to 1 year. Make sure they're thoroughly cooked before canning.
Sauces and canned goods:
Sauces, chutneys, and pickled foods often have a shelf life of several months to a year. The exact shelf life depends on the ingredients and preparation.
You can find useful recipes for making jam in our Jam Recipes Guide!
You can find all products on this topic here: Preserving machines and the like