Quote:Preserves are a delicious treat that allow the decadent flavor of fresh fruit to be enjoy year-round. Canning the preserve is the easiest way to keep preserves tasting great and fresh, while protecting against bacteria. Canning preserves at home is a relatively straightforward process and is a great solution for anyone hoping to create preserves to be enjoy down the road. Canning preserves is also a viable solution for those who have a bounty of fresh fruit and cannot use the entirety of the harvest without it spoiling.
Creating the Preserves: Pectin is a naturally occurring ingredient found in fruits that creates a gel when combined with sugar. This ingredient is often use in creating preserves, in order to ensure the texture is appealing. Some recipes utilize fruits that are naturally high in pectin, while others may utilize powdered forms of this product, the body of the preserves made by cooking down the fruit and in turn straining this to remove the juices. Cooked together with sugar and other ingredients, the juices will thicken and encompass the fruit cooked in the first step of the process.