This article offers a brief overview of some of the best methods for preserving fresh red or green table grapes. You can preserve fresh table grapes and grape juice by freezing, canning, pickling, drying, or fermenting into wine or vinegar. One pound of fresh grapes is equivalent to two dry pints (four cups whole), three cups halved, 2½ cups purée,… …click to read more…
To preserve fruits and vegetables at their peak, it helps to understand the difference between maturity and ripeness. Maturity means the produce will ripen and become ready to eat after you pick it. Ripeness occurs when the color, flavor, and texture is fully developed. Once it is fully ripe, fresh produce begins the inevitable and declining spoilage process. Here’s a… …click to read more…
The best food preservation methods for fresh vegetables depends on their degree of ripeness. To preserve the best quality vegetables, it helps to understand the difference between maturity and ripeness. Maturity means the produce will ripen and become ready to eat after you pick it. Ripeness occurs when the color, flavor, and texture is fully developed. Once it is fully… …click to read more…
Drying is the simple process of dehydrating foods until there is not enough moisture to support microbial activity. Drying removes the water needed by bacteria, yeasts, and molds need to grow. If adequately dried and properly stored, dehydrated foods are shelf stable (safe for storage at room temperature). The drying food preservation method is easy to do, very safe, and… …click to read more…
Pectin, the substance that makes jams and jellies thick, occurs naturally in most fruits. When you cook fruit with sugar, the pectin will thicken and gel to make jam (if using crushed fruit) or jelly (if using fruit juice). However, this gelling process can only happen when there is the right balance of fruit, pectin, acid, and sugar. The amount… …click to read more…
Studies estimate that most Americans waste food, an average of 25% or a little over $2,000 annually in the family grocery shopping budget. Fresh produce tops the list of food waste items. Below are easy ways you can preserve fresh fruits and vegetables before they spoil. Even if you have never tried any food preservation methods, you can easily incorporate… …click to read more…
Here is a brief description of the food preservation methods detailed in the book The Home Preserving Bible. Canning, freezing, and drying food are the most common methods for preserving foods at home today. However, there are many other methods, and some are easier and less expensive. Listed below is an overview of 10 methods for preserving foods, including today’s popular… …click to read more…
Canning, freezing, and drying are popular home preservation methods today. In the past, people preserved food because they didn’t have any other choice. In times of pestilence, war, famine, tsunamis, and earthquakes, people wanted to make sure they had some food ‘put by.’ Unlike today, they lacked a year-round supply of fresh food and mechanical refrigeration. But preservation methods go well… …click to read more…
