Food preservation has been a necessity for as long as people have existed. It hasn't always been as foolproof as the alternatives accessible now. To be sure, the path to establishing safe, reliable techniques of food preservation is paved with illness, squandered food, and even death. Thankfully, we get to reap the benefits of previous knowledge. We can avoid making the same mistakes if we use this information appropriately.
Most of the world's resources cannot be harvested all year. Even if your preferred prey is accessible, hunting all year is not recommended. So, what do we eat during the "off-season"? We must prepare for these times, which are unavoidably approaching.Going over the hill to see if the berry bushes were ripe is part of the food planning process.
People created food preservation techniques over time.
It was discovered that dehydration reduced the moisture content of meats, fruits, herbs, and vegetables. This wetness contributed to the rot of these meals. The simplest method of food preservation was thinly sliced and hung or set out in the sun to dry.
Then came the brining, salting, and smoking. All of these approaches were low-cost and straightforward enough that any household could take care of its own needs.
Bacteria and enzymes, as well as their effects on food, were identified as science progressed, and preventative methods were learned. Food might be preserved for long periods if it was heated to a specified temperature and then sealed in air and moisture resistant containers, removing any air in the container during the process. This convenience, known as "canning," was invented.
Freezing food became a proven technique of food preservation after World War II when the electricity grid reached even the most remote farms and ranches, and costs for various metals fell as industrialization increased.
Although the canning process is the most time-consuming, all methods foster feelings of pride, success, and independence. There's nothing like opening the pantry or freezer door on a chilly winter day, when the snow is already up to the window sills and the snow is falling so hard you can't see your mailbox, and seeing row after row of neatly labeled produce and meats, and remembering that even if the world ended outside your door, your family would still eat well.
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