But first, a recap on the journey of the can
In the early times of the Napoleonic Wars, the French government needed a solution to feed their troops. In desperation, they turned to the public for an invention that can preserve massive quantities of food cheap and swiftly. Offering a life-changing reward, people went to work to solve this national dilemma. in 1809, French brewer Nicolas Appert cracked the code.
From tree to can. What is the process?
Vegetables lose a great deal of nutrition once they are picked and continue to lose their nutritional value till they are consumed. Within a few hours after the fruit and vegetables are picked, they are taken to the appropriate canning facility. Depending on the type of fruit or vegetable, they are then washed, peeled, diced, and pitted if necessary. Certain fruit or vegetable need additional processes, like hydrating the dried beans or blanching. They also have various liquids that pair with them in the can. For example, some fruit is preserved with fruit juice and certain vegetables are preserved in salt water. Once seasoned, the cans are then sealed and go through an extensive heating process to kill all bacteria that could cause spoilage. Once the healing process is done, it is quickly cooled.
It’s better than convenient
Not only are the nutrients preserved, but they’re also canned shortly after they’ve been picked. There is a lot of skepticism around the lack of freshness when it comes to canned food, that it’s a bit cheap. Canned goods are cheaper and unfortunately, not everyone has access to fresh food. So much fresh food is wasted every single day, between 30-40% of the food supply is thrown away every single day. Canning food is a great way of not wasting fruit and vegetables with a shelf life that can run over years.
What to look out for
Before your race down to the supermarket to grab canned foods from all corners, not all cans use the same process. There are some things to look out for when it comes to nutrient-related information. A lot of brands store their fruit in their juices with some water, while others use a very dense syrup. Salt does help with the preservation process, but some brands have very high levels of sodium. So, look out for those brands that reduce their sodium levels. Like most things in life, it’s all about moderation. Take the time and compare brands next time you purchase a can of beans for your weekend camping trip.