How Canning Preserves Foods

Appetizers
Barbecue - Grilling
Beans - Grains
Breads - Biscuits
Candy - Snacks
Canning
Casseroles
Cookies - Brownies
Crock pot
Desserts
Drinks
Ethnic Dishes
Eggs - Dairy
Fruits
Garlic
Holiday Favorites
Low Carb
Meat Dishes
Pancakes - Muffins
Pasta
Pies - Pastries
Pizza
Salads
Sandwiches
Sauces - Marinades
Seafood - Fish
Side Dishes
Soups - Stews
Vegetables
Vegetarian

Print as:
3x5 Recipe Card
4x6 Recipe Card
Full Page

Home > Canning > About

How Canning Preserves Foods

The high percentage of water in most fresh foods makes them very perishable. They spoil or lose their quality for several reasons:

growth of undesirable microorganisms- bacteria, molds, and yeasts, activity of food enzymes, reactions with oxygen, moisture loss. Microorganisms live and multiply quickly on the surfaces of fresh food and on the inside of bruised, insect-damaged, and diseased food. Oxygen and enzymes are present throughout fresh food tissues. Proper canning practices include:

carefully selecting and washing fresh food, peeling some fresh foods, hot packing many foods, adding acids (lemon juice or vinegar) to some foods, using acceptable jars and self-sealing lids, processing jars in a boiling-water or pressure canner for the correct period of time.

Collectively, these practices remove oxygen; destroy enzymes; prevent the growth of undesirable bacteria, yeasts, and molds; and help form a high vacuum in jars. Good vacuums form tight seals which keep liquid in and air and microorganisms out.

Book Store
Bulletin Boards
Channel
Chat
Conversions
Dictionary
Hints and Tips
Kitchen Necessities
Product Reviews
Spices & Herbs
Substitutions
Techniques

Buy Ads Now
Awards Gallery
Best of the Web
Feedback
Guest Book
Privacy Policy