Preserving your vegetables and other perishable foods is a timeless practice that allows you to enjoy fresh produce all year round, reduce waste, and save money. There are several techniques you can follow to extend the shelf life of your vegetables while also maintaining the nutritional value and overall flavour. 

At Freeman & Harding, we offer a wide range of high quality glass jars and glass bottles perfect for preservation and food storage. Our preserve jars are some of the best available on the market and can accommodate a variety of different food types to keep them fresh for long periods. Our team has put together this helpful guide, full of everything you need to know about preserving your vegetables in jars.

Why Preserve Food? 

There are many reasons why you may want to preserve food, from keeping fruits and vegetables that break down quickly fresher for longer, to cost saving reasons, or even to sell homegrown produce on markets as part of a business. Preserving food in jars is growing to be a more and more popular option for families and business owners. 

Even if preserving vegetables in jars isn’t for you, there are many other ways you can make your produce and perishable items last for longer. Some of these methods include: 

Pickling: Pickling is a method used to preserve produce or meat by storing them in an edible liquid that kills bacteria and other microorganisms. This liquid is typically brine, vinegar, alcohol, and vegetable oil. 

Freezing: Freezing is a simple way to preserve a wide range of perishable items as the airtight environment and cold keeps bacteria and germs from degrading food. With this method, it’s important to only defrost anything frozen once and then consume. 

Dehydrating: To dehydrate food for preservation, you can use a dehydrator, oven, or even the sun. Cut the food into small pieces, arrange them in a single layer on the dehydrator trays, and set the temperature according to the food being dehydrated.

For more information on food preservation or supplies, get in touch with the team at Freeman & Harding now. We’re here to help and we offer a wide selection of quality preserving jars to choose from. 

Can Any Vegetable Be Preserved? 

There are some vegetables that work better in preserving than others. Vegetables with a high water content like cucumbers tend to lose their texture and flavour when preserved - this is why they are most often pickled instead. Similarly, vegetables that are prone to developing mould or bacteria should be consumed fresh or preserved with extra care - typically in an airtight container to prevent the mould causing bacteria from having an effect. 

On the flip side of this, there are some vegetables that just have a naturally long shelf life and don’t require preserving or special preparation to keep fresh. One excellent example of this is potatoes, which simply require a cool, dry, dark space in a well ventilated area. 

Preserving Jar Storage Tips

If you want to preserve your vegetables even longer, our team has created the following steps to make your vegetables last and last: 

Absorb Moisture: Place a paper towel in the container to absorb excess moisture before sealing it. This helps prevent spoilage.

Store Stem Vegetables: For vegetables with stems, pour 1-2 inches of water into the bottom of a jar before storing. This keeps them hydrated and crisp.

Prepare Berries: Remove the greenery or stems from berries, then wash them in a mixture of 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1 litre of water. After washing, seal them in a jar to maintain freshness.

Preserve Herbs: Wrap your herbs in a damp towel before storing them. This keeps them moist and prevents wilting.

If you would like to know more about the specifics of preservation, the team at Freeman & Harding can offer our expert advice and guidance to assist you. Reach out now. 

Quality Preserving Jars from Freeman & Harding 

At Freeman & Harding, we offer a wide range of quality preserving jars made from durable glass. These jars are perfect for personal projects, such as storing homegrown produce or extending the shelf life of store bought perishables, or as a storage container for business purposes, we have you covered. Get in touch now for more information. 

Contact us today for more information

If you would like to know more, or to purchase your glass jar and bottle supplies from our expert team, we have a wide selection of stock available just for you. Find out more about our preserving jars, jam jars, pickling jars, honey jars, honey buckets, and more - or our blog can talk you through some of the best pickling recipes, and some creative ways you can reuse your chilli sauce bottles.