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UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra

Preserve It! Series!

Formerly the UC Master Food Preserver of El Dorado County's Preserve It Poster series, this is a collection of answers to frequently asked canning, preservation, and food safety questions.

If you don't find your answer here, reach out to your local Cooperative Extension Master Food Preservers.

In El Dorado County, California, the best way to do that is with the Ask a Master Food Preserver link.

Ask a Master Food Preserver

UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Canning Breads is Unsafe

May 14, 2026

Cake and quick bread should never be "canned."Pretty pictures and recipes for quick breads and cakes canned or baked in canning jars (aka mason jars) often circulate on the Internet, especially around the holidays. Despite what some well-intentioned bloggers may say, the practice of canning breads and…

UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Canning Fruit Purees

May 14, 2026

Applesauce isn't the only game in town! Turning bushels of apples into home-canned applesauce is a time-honored tradition for many folks. But why stop at plain applesauce, or even apples for that matter? Many fruits can be processed as fruit purees, and fruits can be mixed and matched. …

UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Canning Overripe Tomatoes is Unsafe

April 30, 2026

Lower acidity in overripe tomatoes makes them unsafe to can Care should always be taken when choosing produce for canning. It should be fresh, of good quality, and not overripe. This is especially important for tomatoes. The acidity of tomatoes varies during the growing season, and if overripe, they can…

UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Canning Water

May 14, 2026

Should you process water for storage and emergency use? Experts recommend that households store at least a three-day supply of water per person to cover drinking and food preparation needs in the event of an emergency. With a minimum daily recommended amount of one gallon of water per person per…

UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Canning with Chocolate is Generally Unsafe

May 14, 2026

With very few exceptions, homemade chocolate sauce is unsafe for shelf stability. Homemade chocolate sauces are fun to make and are great to have on hand for quick dessert toppings or to give as gifts. It may be tempting to can your own sauces (or other types of spreads) that include chocolate products,…

UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Canning with Monk Fruit Sweetener is Not Recommended

May 6, 2026

There has been no testing with monk fruit sweeteners to determine their effects on pH Monk fruit sweetener is becoming popular amongst people looking for alternatives to sugar. Its sweetness is derived not from traditional fructose sugar molecules in the fruit, but from extracted chemicals that provide…

UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Cleaning & Sanitizing are Two Distinct Steps

May 12, 2026

It's important to know the difference between cleaning and sanitizing.Cleaning and sanitizing (or disinfecting) are two important processes for helping prevent food-borne illness, whether you’re cooking or canning. Yes, they are two separate processes, and they’re both necessary. First, some quick…

UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Colorful Canning Jars are Not Always for Canning

May 7, 2026

Some eye-catching canning jars are inappropriate for food preservation. If you’ve been travelling the aisles at the local crafts store or shopping online for canning supplies, you may have come across some eye-catching canning jars in vivid colors, including red, cobalt, amethyst and even black. They…

UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Come Up and Cool Down Time is Necessary for Food Safety

May 12, 2026

Temperatures matter, from the beginning to the end of the canning process.Home canning involves more than just heating jars of food in a canner. There are many steps in the process, from food preparation to checking that jars sealed after processing – all of which contribute to a product that’s safe to eat…

UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Common Myths and Conceptions about Canning Jars & Lids

May 7, 2026

Canning Basics: Mason jar myths are rampant on the internet! MYTH: Brand new canning jars fresh out of the box are sterile and do not need to be washed. New jars are not sterile. Before use they should be checked for breakage or manufacturing defects, and then washed. In fact, jars should always…