Preservation allows for food to be stored longer without compromising its taste and nutritional properties. However, there are claims of potential harm associated with preservation in today’s consumption trends. Therefore, we have attempted to shed some light on this matter.
Why is home preservation necessary, and is it healthy?
In our nordic climate zone, it is unfortunately not possible for the average person to grow and consume fresh fruits and vegetables year-round. After the season ends, locally sourced products are gradually replaced by supermarket products, which may not always come with clear information on how they were grown, whether they are of high quality, organic, etc. Hence, the justified question arises – how to preserve products grown in the summer so that they remain delicious and healthy during the winter?
What is preservation?
Preservation is a method of preparing food that ensures the products’ shelf life, taste, and nutritional properties. In a hermetic container, under the influence of high temperature, the food is sterilized, and harmful substances and bacteria are destroyed. As a result, an anaerobic environment is created in the container where new bacteria cannot thrive.
Conventional sterilization at home takes place as follows: jars with the product are placed in a large pot, water is added to the pot, the water is brought to a boil, and the containers with food are heated with boiling water. This method of preservation is somewhat reliable but far from perfect. The boiling point of water at atmospheric pressure is 100°C, but there are bacteria that require a higher temperature for their destruction.
What to do in this case?
Fortunately, there are specialized devices for home use – autoclaves, whose main superpower is the ability to heat water to above 100 degrees without bringing it to a boil. This is possible due to the autoclave’s hermetic seal, where as pressure increases, so does the water’s boiling point. This preservation method is especially relevant for meat and fish because sterilization at a temperature higher than 100 degrees is necessary to prevent botulism.
The Advantages of Preservation
The greatest and most significant advantage of preservation is that products can be stored for a long time without losing their flavor characteristics. This is the essence of the process. However, we should not forget about the nutritional properties of the products. All fruits and vegetables contain many vitamins, minerals, and substances that the human body needs.
Do these properties endure during preservation?
It is impossible to give a definitive answer to this question because high temperatures affect each of them differently. Most notably, vitamin C is lost the most during heating in plant-based products. However, other substances like calcium and magnesium do not break down during heating, and beta-carotenes are absorbed and preserved much better as the product’s temperature rises.
This is a significant argument for the benefits of preserved products since a certain portion of vitamins and beneficial substances still remains.
Nuances and Specifics of Home Preservation:
- The labor-intensive process: Preparing for home preservation requires effort and time. From selecting and preparing the raw materials to the actual preservation, it is a fairly lengthy process.
- Need for high-quality ingredients: The importance of using high-quality products cannot be underestimated. One spoiled ingredient can affect the entire batch, making it inedible or even dangerous.
- Strict adherence to the recipe: It is essential to follow the recipe to ensure the taste and safety of the preserved product.
- Sterilization process: In addition to cooking the food, sterilization of jars and lids must be taken care of. While the use of an autoclave can simplify this process, acquiring and using one also takes time and resources.
- Additional costs: Acquiring a quality autoclave means additional expenses. Despite the various models available on the market, choosing the optimal solution can be challenging and costly.
In summary, while home preservation can provide joy and delicious, healthy results, one must not forget that a quality process requires attention, time, and certainly investment.
You can purchase a quality autoclave from our website. Based on our extensive experience, we have compiled a wide range of models that should be suitable for both home enthusiasts and active small-scale producers. For any additional questions, we are happy to answer them by phone, email, or through our social media channels.
