Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Why Call It Canning When It's In Jars?

 


Somewhere I picked up a 2012 Amish Country News. So interesting! Makes me want to go soon to visit there.  

One tidbit I learned was the answer to the question above:

"So if you're putting food in jars, why do you call it 'canning?'"

"In 1795, while engaged in military pursuits, Napoleon offered a cash prize to anyone who could find a way to preserve foods for his troops. A French man names Nicholas Appert found a way to preserve food in jars, sterilized and sealed with pitch. By 1804, he had a vacuum-packing plant up and running. This process was a closely guarded military secret, but by 1810 a Mr. Peter Durand of England had a patent for tin-plated iron to use in "canning." It has been verified that canned rations were on the battlefield at Waterloo. In 1812, a small plant in New York produced hermetically sealed oysters, meats, fruits and vegetables, all in cans. Durand introduced his can top to American in 1818. Later, a man named Henry Evans patented a machine that made the tin cans, increasing production capabilities from 5-6 cans per hour to 50-60. Then, finally, in 1858 the now famous American icon John Mason invented the glass jar for home canning. From that point on "canned" food was found in both tins and jars, and that is why we put canned food in jars today!"

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