Michigan State University Extension
Preserving Food Safely - 01600943
10/13/97

### PREVENTING DISCOLORATION - ASCORBIC ACID SOLUTION

        *  While preparing a canner load of jars, keep peeled,

           halved, quartered, sliced  or  diced apples, apri-

           cots, nectarines, peaches  and pears in a solution

           of 3 grams (3000 milligrams) ascorbic acid to 1

           gallon of cold water.  This procedure is also useful

           in maintaining the natural color of mushrooms and

           potatoes, and for preventing stem-end discoloration

           in cherries and grapes. You can get ascorbic acid

           in several forms:

                 Pure Powdered Form--seasonally available

                 among canners' supplies in supermarkets.  One

                 level teaspoon of pure powder weighs about 3

                 grams.  Use 1 teaspoon per gallon of water as

                 a treatment solution.

                 Vitamin C Tablets--economical and available

                 year-round in many stores.  Buy 500-milligram

                 tablets; crush and dissolve six tablets per

                 gallon of water as a treatment solution.

                 Commercially Prepared Mixes of Ascorbic and

                 Citric Acid--seasonally available among

                 canners' supplies in supermarkets.  Sometimes

                 citric acid powder is sold in supermarkets,

                 but it is less effective in controlling

                 discoloration.  If you choose to use these

                 products, follow the manufacturer's

                 directions.

        *  Fill hot foods into jars and adjust headspace as

           specified in recipes.

        *  Tighten screw bands securely, but if you are

           especially strong, not as tightly as possible.

        *  Process and cool jars.

        *  Store the jars in a relatively cool, dark, dry

           place, preferably between 50 and 70 degrees

           Fahrenheit.

        *  Can no more food than you will use within a year.

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