What food preservation method involves heating and sealing food in jars?

What food preservation method involves heating and sealing food in jars?

• A. Fermentation
• B. Chilling
• C. Canning
• D. Dehydrating

Answer: (C)

Canning is the food preservation method that involves heating food to a certain temperature to kill or inactivate harmful microorganisms, enzymes, and spoilage agents. Once heated, the food is sealed in jars, which creates a vacuum seal as it cools. This process prevents the entry of new microorganisms and prevents spoilage, allowing the food to be stored safely for extended periods without refrigeration. During canning, the food can be either pressure canned or water bathed, depending on its acidity. High-acid foods like fruits, pickles, and tomatoes may be processed in a water bath, while low-acid foods like vegetables and meats require pressure canning due to their risk of harboring botulism spores. In contrast, the other methods listed do not involve this specific process of heating and sealing in jars. For example, fermentation relies on the action of beneficial bacteria to preserve foods, while chilling slows down spoilage without eliminating microorganisms. Dehydrating removes moisture to inhibit spoilage but does not involve sealing food in jars with heat.

Canning is the food preservation method that involves heating food to a certain temperature to kill or inactivate harmful microorganisms, enzymes, and spoilage agents. Once heated, the food is sealed in jars, which creates a vacuum seal as it cools. This process prevents the entry of new microorganisms and prevents spoilage, allowing the food to be stored safely for extended periods without refrigeration.

During canning, the food can be either pressure canned or water bathed, depending on its acidity. High-acid foods like fruits, pickles, and tomatoes may be processed in a water bath, while low-acid foods like vegetables and meats require pressure canning due to their risk of harboring botulism spores.

In contrast, the other methods listed do not involve this specific process of heating and sealing in jars. For example, fermentation relies on the action of beneficial bacteria to preserve foods, while chilling slows down spoilage without eliminating microorganisms. Dehydrating removes moisture to inhibit spoilage but does not involve sealing food in jars with heat.