Do you like going to the local farmer’s market and picking out your favorite produce, fruits, and veggies?
Sometimes, this hobby becomes an obsession, and instead of picking a limited amount of food, individuals tend to go a little overboard. This is when being educated in preservation comes in handy.
It is important to understand the concept of food preservation and how you can increase the longevity of these yummy foods. Of course, everyone has their own of preserving food, but we have the 10 ultimate food preservation guide for you that can turn you into a canning genius.
What is Canning?
Canning (or bottling) is when you heat your food at high temperatures so all the disease-causing bacteria can be killed while the enzymes are inactivated. Needless to say, all of this happens when the food is sealed in a can or jar. Since food poisoning is common, canning low acid foods at home is not recommended. Low acid food includes poultry, meat, seafood, and vegetables.
Acid has the ability to grow bacteria. There are fruits that have high acid levels that can be safely canned at home. When you are storing food in cans, it is important to store the cans in dark places so that no light-triggered reactions take place.
Here Is What You Need To Look Into
Interested in becoming a canning pro? Here are some guides that can help you out:
1. Food in Jars Canning Guide
Food in Jars has extensive amounts of information on their site that is all related to canning foods. Luckily, they have a Canning 101 Archive guide that has all the important information condensed down for easy understanding. There are unlimited articles on how to can and why you should can. This guide will allow you to become a canning genius!
2. Online Canning Course for Beginners
The Domestic Wildflower brings you her free online course on canning. From how to can and preserve jams to steam-canning, this guide will be your ultimate go-to for all canning related questions and answers. In addition, if you want, you can also get your hands on the Canning Essential’s Workbook which is only $5 and extremely helpful.
3. Printable Canning Checklists and Other Essentials
This is another canning guide from the Domestic Wildflower. This guide will provide you with many free printable canning checklists and more that you should check out. While you are at it, make sure you are reading about the other canning related information.
4. Canning at home with 100+ recipes and resources
After learning how to can properly, it will be hard for you to stop. This online guide will provide you with 100 different home canning recipes and resources that will never let you run out of things that can be preserved.
5. Water Bath Canning for Newbies
They’re Not Our Goats is the ultimate preservation guide you need to learn about the basics of water bath canning. This guide states the terms, supplies, and safety precautions you need to be careful of. The best part is that you can get a free printable checklist as well.
6. USDA Complete Guide to Canning At Home
The National Center for Home Food Preservation is providing all homeowners with printable guides that help in excelling at home canning. The guide is divided into 8 parts that are easy to understand. The best part about these guides is that they walk you through everything you need to know about food preservation at home.
7. Professionally Can Potatoes
Modern Homestead has taken the responsibility of walking you through the steps of pressure canning potatoes. With the help of this guide, you will be able to pressure can instead of just normal canning.
8. Canning Peaches
It is true; the best way to learn something is by actually doing it. This Canning Peaches guide is easy to comprehend and provides you with step by step instructions that can help you become a professional home canner.
9. Simply Canning
With Sharon’s expertise at Simply Canning, there is no way you can go wrong. In this guide, you will also learn what canning methods are suitable for the different kinds of foods while getting your hands on Sharon’s exclusive canning recipes.
10. Beware! Do Not Make These Mistakes
In the beginning, it is normal for you to make mistakes. Luckily, with the help of this guide, you will be enlightened about the different canning mistakes that are made by beginners and how they can be prevented. Moreover, if mistakes do take place, this guide will explain how you can fix them.
Other Types of Preservations
Freezing
Freezing is when you store your foods at low temperatures so there is no growth of disease-causing bacteria. Additionally, the chemical reactions that have the ability to spoil the food are slowed down. The best part about freezing is that it does not affect the color, flavor, nutritional value, or texture of the food too much. There is a loss of nutritional value only when you blanch the food before freezing.
Just make sure there are no fluctuations in the freezer temperatures, otherwise, the food will get spoiled.
Cold storage
Cold storage is one of the easiest ways to keep vegetables and fruits through the wintertime. Make sure the low temperatures are 2 to 6°C, or 36 to 43 F with high humidity.
Live storage is when you are storing your produce in a ventilated garden shed, unheated cellar, or under a mound in your garden.
With the help of this delightful knowledge on how to successfully can food like a genius, you will be able to save both food and money. Before starting your food canning journey, make sure you are doing thorough research that will aid in success every time you can something.
Happy canning!
