The Return to Canning - Why Canning is Making a Comeback

Preserving processed food in airtight containers was invented in the late eighteenth century by the French military. It was quite popular for several centuries until modern societies decided it was easier to buy their vegetables and food preserves ready-made at the supermarket.

Canning is a very efficient way to store foods for several years without the need of refrigeration. By properly sterilizing and preserving tomatoes, beans, strawberries, soup, etc. in glass jars, microorganisms cannot enter and proliferate inside the food. It is ideal to safely keep a large food supply, especially in areas where grocery stores are scarce.

Although canning lost a lot of its charm in the past few decades, it is now making a sensational comeback. The reasons for the increased popularity are obvious, and can be listed as follows:

1. Preserving your own crop - Starting a vegetable garden and planting fruit trees is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by all family members. Of course, once the crop is in, the food has to be stored, and the best way to achieve successful and lasting results is by canning.

2. Maintaining their standard of living - With wage freezes, job losses, and grocery prices skyrocketing, many people are trying to save on their grocery bill. By buying their canning supplies and produce when they are on sale, they can actually produce meals cheaper than store-bought products.

3. Nutritional value - Nutritional awareness is constantly growing, exposing the harmful substances manufacturers use in their fruit, vegetable and meat products. Acids, hormones, chemicals and contaminants can be avoided by canning your own foods.

4. Health reasons - People with food allergies can make their own meals and keep a stash handy for the days they have no time to cook. Knowing what they are eating will prevent allergic reactions.

5. Crackdown on foreign products - People no longer want to consume imported foods, especially when they know that their country's own farmers can barely survive. Buying fresh produce that is in season at the farmer's market, and canning it for the off season will support the local farmers.

6. Personal satisfaction - Canning your fruits, vegetables and meats can be incredibly rewarding. Yes, there is a lot of work involved, but at the end of the day, you will feel extremely satisfied with your accomplishments. Give it a try and you'll see!

Irida Sangemino is an accomplished SEO copywriter and PR specialist with international ties. Familiar with many topics, she writes about a variety of topics, including emergency preparedness, food preparation and canning. Contact: irida@wydebeam.com