It has been 36 ½ years that I have been teaching and answering questions about home food preservation, and I am still hearing about people not processing jars of jams, jellies and pickles. They are just placing a lid and band on hot jars of food and calling it good enough. Well, I am here to tell you that it is not “just good enough.”
Boiling water processing or atmospheric steam processing of jams/jellies and pickles is important because it's a critical step that ensures the safety and shelf stability of the final product. This process involves placing filled jars in a canner with boiling water or in an atmospheric steam canner for a specific time, which destroys harmful microorganisms and creates a vacuum seal that prevents spoilage.
Here's why it's important:
- Destroys harmful microorganisms: Boiling water bath canning or atmospheric steam canning effectively eliminates bacteria, yeasts, and molds that can cause spoilage and foodborne illness.
- Creates a vacuum seal: As the jars cool, the boiling water causes the air inside to expand and escape, forming a tight seal between the jar lid and the rim. This seal prevents the reintroduction of microorganisms and ensures that the product remains stable.
- Ensure product safety: By destroying spoilage organisms and creating a vacuum seal, processing guarantees that the jams, jellies or pickles are safe for consumption and will maintain their quality for an extended period. If stored correctly, home canned food will last approximately 1 year.
- Maintains food quality: Boiling water bath canning or atmospheric steam canning is suitable for high-acid foods like jams, jellies and pickles, which help preserve their flavor, color, and texture.
- Prevents spoilage: Boiling water bath canning prevents issues like soft, slippery, or slimy pickles, which are indicators of spoilage.
In essence, safe processing methods are crucial steps in ensuring that home-canned jams, jellies and pickles are safe, shelf-stable, and of good quality.
For more information on atmospheric steam canning, visit:
University of Missouri Extension. 2018. Atmospheric Steam Canning - A New Option. https://extension.missouri.edu/news/atmospheric-steam-canning-a-new-option
