VALUE OF CANNED GOODS l8l 



and a careful sealing in fruit jars. The material thus 

 prepared is usually of a better flavor, because more care- 

 fully prepared, and more satisfactory than much that can 

 be bought in the markets, in the preparation of which 

 wholesale methods have been necessary. For the house- 

 hold, therefore, canning is chiefly applicable to fruits, and 

 it furnishes a means of keeping for winter use many 

 delightful delicacies. 



The process of canning has wrought a wonderful change 

 in civilization. It has made possible the use of great 

 quantities of material which previously were sure to decay 

 before they could be used. It is possible to take any crop 

 which is produced in abundance during a short season and 

 preserve it indefinitely for future use. It has brought 

 about a great expansion of the food possibilities of the 

 human race and a very great change in the habits of 

 civilization. 



Canned food is, however, always changed in character 

 by cooking, although materials which are ordinarily cooked 

 before they are eaten may, of course, be canned without 

 further change. The most noticeable effect of the process 

 is the total disappearance of the original flavors. Canned 

 fruit has a flavor of its own and oftentimes a very pleas- 

 ant one, but the flavor of the fresh fruit is usually more 

 agreeable. Experience has shown that a diet of canned 

 foods alone is not wholly satisfactory, although arctic 

 explorers have learned that they can live upon them much 

 more healthfully than they can upon salt foods, which 

 were the staple diet on shipboard before the extended 

 adoption of canning. Canned foods are valuable, but 

 they should not be used exclusively. 



