Inspection of Food: Who’s Responsible?
Local, state, federal, and international agencies all have a role in ensuring food safety and quality in the United States. These agencies regulate the use of chemicals and technology based on...
Category: Preservation
Drying Foods
Food drying is one of the oldest methods of preserving food for later use. It can either be an alternative to canning and freezing or complement these methods. Drying food is simple, safe, and easy...
Tighten Your Lids – But Not Too Tight
According to So Easy to Preserve, “When using two-piece lids, place the treated lid on the filled jar, center it, and hold it in place with fingers. Then screw down the band until it is fingertip...
Canning Tools
Lid Lifter/Lid Wand The canning lid lifter/lid wand is a magnet attached to a short plastic stick and is a useful tool for lifting metal lids from hot water. Lid wand brands include Back to Basics,...
Say “No” to Old Pickle Recipes
The Question “I recently made homemade dill pickles by my grandmother’s recipe; I have made pickles by this recipe for a very long time. This year the pickles were bubbling when I opened...
Pressure Canning Revisited
A frequent question to the Home & Garden Information Center: “I canned my green beans in a water bath canner. Are they safe?” Often this question is prefaced by “My mother and...
Why Mason-type Canning Jars
The major reason we recommend Mason-type canning jars is our experience with them and their decreased rate of breakage compared to mayonnaise jars, salad dressing jars, spaghetti sauce jars, or...
Watch the Headspace
Headspace is the unfilled space between the food in a jar and the lid of a jar. General canning headspace recommendations from the United States Department of Agriculture are as follows: Leave ¼...
Preserving Freshness: The Basics of Food Preservation
Food preservation is an age-old practice that has allowed us to enjoy fresh food throughout the year. From refrigeration to freezing or pickling to drying, there are countless ways to keep your food...
Basics of Home Winemaking
“Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment...
Tomato Basics
Getting Ready to Preserve Select only disease-free, preferably vine-ripened, firm tomatoes with a deep red color. For easy peeling, dip tomatoes in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds until skins...
Sweet Potato Basics
Selecting & Storing Look for firm, well-shaped sweetpotatoes with clean, smooth skins. Avoid any that have soft spots or bruises. Do not refrigerate sweetpotatoes. Refrigeration temperatures can...