Title: Syrups
Categories: Canning Info Fruit
Yield: 1 Text

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Adding syrup to canned fruit helps to retain its flavor, color, and shape. It does not prevent spoilage of these foods. The guidelines for preparing and using syrups (Table 1) offer a new "very light" syrup, which approximates the natural sugar content of many fruits. The sugar content in each of the five syrups is increased by about 10 percent. Quantities of water and sugar to make enough syrup for a canner load of pints or quarts are provided for each syrup type.

Procedure: Heat water and sugar together. Bring to a boil and pour over raw fruits in jars. For hot packs, bring water and sugar to boil, add fruit, reheat to boil, and fill into jars immediately.

Other sweeteners: Light corn syrups or mild-flavored honey may be used to replace up to half the table sugar called for in syrups. For more information see Canned Foods for Special Diets.

Table 1. Preparing and using syrups. (Measure of Water and Sugar)

Syrup Type: Very Light. Approx. % Sugar: 10. For 9-Pt Load: 6-1/2 Cups Water, 3/4 Cups Sugar. For 7-Qt Load: 10-1/2 Cups Water, 1-1/4 Cups Sugar. (Approximates natural sugar levels in most fruits and adds the fewest calories.)

Syrup Type: Light. Approx. % Sugar: 20. For 9-Pt Load: 5-3/4 Cups Water, 1-1/2 Cups Sugar. For 7-Qt Load: 9 Cups Water, 2-1/4 Cups Sugar. (Very sweet fruit. Try a small amount the first time to see if your family likes it.)

Syrup Type: Medium. Approx. % Sugar: 30. For 9-Pt Load: 5-1/4 Cups Water, 2-1/4 Cups Sugar. For 7-Qt Load: 8-1/4 Cups Water, 3-3/4 Cups Sugar. (Sweet apples, sweet cherries, berries, grapes.)

Syrup Type: Heavy. Approx % Sugar: 40. For 9-Pt Load: 5 Cups Water, 3-1/4 Cups Sugar. For 7-Qt Load: 7-3/4 Cups Water, 5-1/4 Cups Sugar. (Tart apples, apricots, sour cherries, gooseberries, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums.)

Syrup Type: Very Heavy. Approx % Sugar: 50. For 9-Pt Load: 4-1/4 Cups Water, 4-1/4 Cups Sugar For 7-Qt Load: 6-1/2 Cups Water, 6-3/4 Cups Sugar Very sour fruit. Try a small amount the first time to see if your family likes it.

NOTES:

9-Pt Load values are also adequate for a 4-quart load.

Many fruits that are typically packed in heavy syrup are excellent and tasteful products when packed in lighter syrups. It is recommended that lighter syrups be tried, since they contain fewer calories from added sugar

======================================================= === * USDA Agriculture Information Bulletin No. 539 (rev. 1994) * Meal-Master format courtesy of Karen Mintzias

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