Canning jars

[rbeau30]

Quick question for you canners do you need to use citric acid. I picked up a ball blue book on canning and a lot of the recipes called for citric acid or lemon juice. I was wondering do you really need to use these especially in SHTF secenario and if you don't will the food last?

A lot of added acids like for jams and such are for taste. IE: blackberry jam in the book calls for added fresh lime juice. I don't think that adds to preserving the food it just helps with the taste of it and prevent discoloration like bogie said above.

Jams are high in sugar which is the preservative and they are done in a boiling water bath canner, which you can use your pressure canner without the lid on tight..

When you are doing high acid canning, (pickled veggies YUM, or pickles, etc) you will be adding a significant amount of acid. sometimes half and half vinegar to water again you will use a boiling water canner for this.