​Why should we be pickling fruit and veg?

Pickling has been used to preserve fruits and vegetables for hundreds of years, and this ancient approach has also been found all across the world. With intriguing health benefits, many of our customers like to pickle their favourite fresh foods and use our glass jars for storage. In this post, we'll take a look at the reasons to pickle, and some of the best jars to use for great results.

What is pickling?

Pickling is an ancient process of preserving fresh food by immersing it in vinegar or brine. This creates a process of anaerobic fermentation that extends its shelf life, creates health benefits and changes the flavour and texture of the food. Pickles are then used as an accompaniment to main meals, for flavour, crunch and health benefits. Think about pickled gherkins you enjoy on a burger or pickled relish with a Ploughman's. The great thing about pickling is that it is very easy to do and a natural chemical-free process that only requires some basic storage jars.

How to pickle

The main premise of pickling is to cut good quality vegetables or fruit into small chunks or slices (removing any spoiled sections) and then immerse them in vinegar or brine. Different elements such as lemon juice, vinegar or even wine are traditionally used around the world to create the fermentation and to adjust the flavour, creating tangy, lively finishes that enhance any meal.

To pickle, you essentially follow these steps:

1. Fully prepare and sterilise glass storage jars before drying them fully. Our customers select from our range of clip top jars, or from our Mason glass jars selection, as these have been designed with pickling and preservation in mind.

2. Choose your produce - common examples include carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, ginger and peppers, although you can pickle fruits too, such as peaches or cherries.

3. Add your seasonings, which will typically be garlic and herbs for vegetables or lemon juice for fruits.

4. Make a brine in a saucepan, combining water, vinegar and salt and then simmer it over a high heat.

5. Fill the glass jars with your prepared fresh food and the brine solution and then tap the sides of the jar to remove any bubbles.

6. Clip the lids down and then let them reach room temperature. Your pickles can then be stored in a cool pantry or your fridge.

What are the benefits of pickling

Perhaps one of the main benefits of pickling is that this simple and natural process allows you to extend the shelf life of vegetables and fruits without the use of chemicals. It's a great way of using up a glut on the allotment, for example (pickled tomatoes have an exciting taste all of their own). The process only requires basic kitchen ingredients and glass jars, such as classic clip top jars.

The other key benefit is for your health. Pickling uses natural fermentation, which involves beneficial bacteria. These bacteria help to support a healthy gut, and scientists believe that our guts have a huge impact on our health. Evidence suggests that picking can have a positive effect on everything from immunity to blood sugar control and immunity. Don't forget that pickles taste amazing too! If you love cooking, you'll find that pickles add a real zing to your dishes and elevate them to the next level.

Choosing the right glass jars

Glass storage jars are the perfect vehicle for pickles, and many of our customers choose Mason glass jars because they are made with pickling and preserving in mind. We have a range of clip top glass jars and an extensive selection of Mason glass jars in stock, with plenty of different sizes and styles to suit your needs. We also constantly update our stocks so you'll find fresh products at great prices. Buy in bulk and you'll even save money on the unit costs, helping you to create an eco-friendly, beautiful kitchen at a minimal cost. 

Both our clip-top jars and our Mason jars work so well for pickling because they have large necks and mouths for easy filling, and the special clip lids keep the contents of your glass jars safe. They are easy to sterilise and last for years with care. They also look great! You'll also find a range of other glass storage jars in our range, too, so there's plenty to choose from.

Find out more

Wares of Knutsford is your first choice for glass jars, and we have a huge range to choose from for all your pickling, preserving, gifting, storage and general home, kitchen and crafting needs. you'll love our product range, our prices and our fast, competitive delivery rates. We also pride ourselves on offering the best possible customer service, and our team is always happy to answer any questions that you might have during office hours. Why not sign up for our newsletter to get all the latest news, special offers, competitions and inspiration for your next home pickling project?