Yule presents/Home Preserving/Bacteria etc
For Yule this year I want to give homemade/home preserved/homebaked gifts. One thing I want to do is make baskets of a few different things, like homemade jams and jellies, home preserved peaches, and make some infused oils etc.
My question are these:
When making/preserving your own goods how to you:
1) Ensure a tight fitting seal to keep your preserves from going 'off'
2) Infused oils can be a place for bacteria to breed (It's like botulism or something? Don't quote me on that though >_>) so how do you really *really* sterilise everything and clean everything enough where that won't happen? I have read in several books and e-books that the herbs you use can carry the bacteria so this leads me to my next question:
3) What is the best way to wash fruits and veg naturally to get rid of any of that bacteria and crud on them?
4) What are your favourite things to can/preserve/infuse and give as gifts? ALSO What recipes and methods do you use for sterilising your bottles? What are your fruits of choice? How long does your preserved stuff keep in a pantry for? Any recipes for making infused alcoholic drinks that can be given as gifts? Any ideas for dried herbs and flowers that can be paired for making home made teas?
Thank you! :)
My question are these:
When making/preserving your own goods how to you:
1) Ensure a tight fitting seal to keep your preserves from going 'off'
2) Infused oils can be a place for bacteria to breed (It's like botulism or something? Don't quote me on that though >_>) so how do you really *really* sterilise everything and clean everything enough where that won't happen? I have read in several books and e-books that the herbs you use can carry the bacteria so this leads me to my next question:
3) What is the best way to wash fruits and veg naturally to get rid of any of that bacteria and crud on them?
4) What are your favourite things to can/preserve/infuse and give as gifts? ALSO What recipes and methods do you use for sterilising your bottles? What are your fruits of choice? How long does your preserved stuff keep in a pantry for? Any recipes for making infused alcoholic drinks that can be given as gifts? Any ideas for dried herbs and flowers that can be paired for making home made teas?
Thank you! :)