We're all about using cans after they have been created, but what about before that? See the journey the can goes through before they become beautiful Canstructions!
The history of the canning food actually began in France. As revolutions and wars progressed, people were desperate to find a way to preserve food for the military overseas. With a cash prize of 12,000 Francs being offered, Nicolas Appert was motivated to find a way. He began with champagne bottles and a cheese-lime mixture, and as his business and factory expanded he moved to glass bottles and tin cans.
Making The Cans:
There are a few ways to make the cans but the basic process is cutting shapes from aluminum sheets and applying a coating. The cans are then baked for rigidity to hold their shape.
Picking the Best Ingredients:
Food to be canned are harvested at peak ripeness, when nutritional value is at its highest. Some foods actual increase nutritional value through the canning process.
Preparing the Food:
The first step is that the raw food is cleaned and prepared to be canned. Depending on the type of food, there are some preparation steps that may need to be completed before it is ready for canning. Some fruits may need to be de-stemmed, peeled, or pits removed.
Heating the Food:
To ensure maximum freshness and as part of the process, the food is blanched (cooked quickly at high heat) or steamed in the can at high pressures. This helps to kill any microorganisms present that would lead to bacterial growth. The amount of time varies by the food, but generally follows the minimum needed for sterilization to retain maximum nutrition.
Canned foods are a simple and cheap way to get nutritious food! They last a long time and you can trust that they are packed for peak freshness. Canstruction uses cans in their competition for their sturdy structure, colorful labels, and the chance to do good by donating the contents to hungry families around the world!