05/18/2022 / By Zoey Sky
Knowing several food preservation methods ensures that you can prolong the shelf life of fruits and vegetables from your home garden.
These techniques can also add more items to your food stockpile, which is important if you want to prepare for a long-term survival scenario. (h/t to FoodStorageMoms.com)
Before you get started, invest in an informative canning book, such as the “Ball Canning Book” or the U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s (USDA) canning guide. The “USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning” can be downloaded for free on the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) website.
If you’re a food preservation beginner, here are some tools worth investing in:
Whole foods are good for you, but without preservation, they don’t have a very long shelf life.
Food preservation refers to the processing of food to stop or slow down spoilage or decaying. Food spoilage is caused by the growth of bacteria, yeasts and molds, all of which can cause illness if ingested.
The five food preservation methods below have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Canning refers to the process of sealing food in airtight containers such as cans or jars then boiling them to kill any bacteria or other microorganisms that might cause spoilage.
Canning is an effective food preservation method since it prevents oxygen from reaching the food. This is important because bacteria and other organisms need oxygen to grow. (Related: Food supply 101: Food preservation and storage techniques to learn before SHTF.)
Canning is an effective way to preserve food, but you need specialized equipment and it can be time-consuming.
Canning process
Before you begin canning food, check the “USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning.”
Drying refers to the process of removing moisture from food. This makes it difficult for bacteria to grow.
Dehydrate food to create shelf-stable foods that can last for months or years. While this method is a simple and effective way to preserve food, it can take a long time depending on the moisture content of the food product and the temperature setting of your food dehydrator.
Dehydrating process
Foods like fruits and vegetables are usually dehydrated. You can dehydrate apples, kale and watermelon.
Fermenting refers to the process of using bacteria to preserve food. The bacteria convert the sugars in food into lactic acid, which then prevents other bacteria from growing.
While fermenting is a great way to preserve food and add flavor, you need to be very careful to prevent contamination.
Fermenting process
You can ferment almost any vegetable, but you need to check reliable guides before you proceed.
Freezing refers to the process of chilling food to very low temperatures, at least -18 C or 0 F, to keep bacteria from growing.
While freezing is easy and convenient, it can cause freezer burn if not done correctly.
Freezing process
Freezing is best for preserving leftovers or pre-made meals. You can also use this method to preserve fresh veggies from your garden.
Pickling refers to the process of preserving food in an acidic solution like vinegar or brine (saltwater).
Pickling food in acid prevents bacteria from growing. It’s also a great way to give food a flavor boost, but pickling isn’t a great choice for people who don’t like salty food or are watching their salt intake.
Pickling process
Try pickling to extend the shelf life of various fruits and vegetables like blueberries, carrots, cherries, ginger, onions, peaches or turnips.
When trying to preserve food for your family, use the method that suits your needs and preferences. Always use a recipe to ensure that food is properly preserved to avoid spoilage.
Watch the video below to know more about three ways to sterilize jars for home canning.
This video is from the Natural News channel on Brighteon.com.
Food storage tips: 6 Traditional egg preservation techniques.
Food storage tips: How to dehydrate foods for long-term storage.
4 Ways to preserve meat in a survival situation.
Sources include:
Tagged Under:
canned food, drying, emergency food, fermenting, food safety, food security, Food storage, food supply, freezing, homesteading, off grid, pickling, preparedness, prepper, prepping, SHTF, survival, survival food
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