When you’ve got a bumper crop of strawberries, or just snagged a fantastic deal at the market, the last thing you want is for them to go bad before you can enjoy them all. The best way to preserve strawberries for long-term enjoyment is through freezing, as it retains most of their flavor and nutrients,...
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Achieving Safe Canning Pressure
So, you want to make sure your home-canned goods are safe, and that means properly understanding and achieving safe canning pressure. The quick answer is: safe canning pressure is the amount of pressure needed in a pressure canner to raise the internal temperature of the food to a level that destroys harmful bacteria, especially Clostridium...
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Preserving the Harvest: Home Canned Tomato Sauce
Making your own tomato sauce at home and preserving it through canning is a fantastic way to enjoy the taste of summer sunshine all year long. It offers a level of freshness and control over ingredients that store-bought sauces just can’t match. This guide will walk you through the practical steps to safely can delicious...
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Sweet and Tangy Strawberry Preserve: A Delicious Spread
So, you’re looking to whip up some sweet and tangy strawberry preserve? Great choice! When done right, it’s a fantastic way to capture the essence of summer, offering a bright, fruity kick that’s far superior to anything you’ll find in a store. The key to a delicious preserve lies in balancing the sweetness of the...
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Maximizing Freshness: Proper Storage for Fruits and Vegetables
So, you’ve hit the grocery store or farmers market, armed with the best intentions to eat your way through a rainbow of produce. But then comes the nagging question: how do you actually keep all that colorful goodness from wilting, browning, or going squishy before you get a chance to enjoy it? It’s a common...
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The Role of Sodium Metabisulfite E223 in Food Preservation
When you see “E223” on a food label, you’re looking at sodium metabisulfite, a pretty handy ingredient for keeping food fresh. Essentially, it’s a chemical compound that acts as a preservative, primarily by preventing spoilage caused by microbes and oxidation. Think of it as a little helper that extends shelf life and maintains the quality...
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Preserving Citrus: The Magic of Pickled Lemons
So, you’ve got a surplus of lemons and you’re wondering, “Can I actually do something cool with these beyond just juicing them?” Absolutely! If you’ve ever wondered how to keep those bright, zesty fruits around for a while, or if you’re looking for a surprising addition to your cooking, then pickled lemons might just be...
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Preserving Flowers with Silica Gel
Thinking about preserving those beautiful blooms from your garden, a special occasion, or even a thoughtful gift? You’ve probably stumbled upon silica gel. And if you’re wondering how to actually do it, you’re in the right place. In a nutshell, preserving flowers with silica gel is a pretty straightforward process that involves dehydrating them using...
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Brigham Tea
Come Hiking to discover Brigham Tea (or Mormon Tea) on the beautiful Arizona strip and learn some of it's many uses.