4 Methods of Canning and Preserving Foods

People around the world have canned and preserved food for hundreds of years. There are several ways to can and preserve fresh fruits and vegetables along with some meats. Typically your will find that there are 4 Methods of Canning and Preserving Foods.

4 Methods of Canning and Preserving Foods

The following list the most popular means of keeping food fresh over a period of time. These techniques are not in any particular order and most people choose one or more of the approaches depending on what type of food that they are preserving.

1.    Water Bath Canning – this method is used when canning fruits, jellies, jams, preserves, pickles, relishes and tomatoes. These types of high acidic foods should be processed in a boiling water bath of 212 degrees Fahrenheit to kill bacteria. Processing times vary for each food and jar size.

2.    Pressure Canning – this technique is used with low acidic foods which most vegetables fall into except tomatoes (which are really considered a fruit). Temperatures for pressure canning must reach 240 degrees Fahrenheit for a specific amount of time to kill bacteria.

3.    Drying – this approach of preserving food is actually the oldest manner of processing and can be used for fruits, vegetables, and meats quite effectively. It has regained popularity among the canning community because the methods are easy, it provides a means of making natural healthy snacks and takes up less space for storing that some of the other preserving techniques.

4.    Freezing – this is an excellent way to preserve fresh vegetables and some fruits. It involves a method of blanching foods (quick boiling/steaming) then promptly dipping them in a cold water bath which stops enzyme action. The food may then be placed in either plastic/glass vapor proof containers or plastic freezer bags. Make sure to quickly place the processed foods into the freezer and keep the temperature at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

These 4 Methods of Canning and Preserving Foods have been tried and true throughout the ages. As more people begin to have growing concerns about their health and well-being many are turning to the ideas of processing their own home-grown foods as a means of knowing more fully what they are eating. There is also a sense of pride and accomplishment in creating a natural food source by your own hands. Try this for yourself. Your family and health will thank you for it.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tagged with: Canning • Foods • Methods • Preserving

Filed under: Food and Cooking

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!