Canned cucumbers are a great snack that can replace fresh vegetables on the table in the winter season. However, sometimes an annoying nuisance happens - the brine in the jar becomes cloudy, and the cucumbers lose their appetizing appearance. Why is this happening?
The main reason why the brine in canned cucumbers becomes cloudy is the improper preparation of the dishes in which they are prepared. In order to avoid this annoying nuisance, the cans must be thoroughly washed with warm water and baking soda, soap or a cleaning agent, and then rinsed very well with soap. Insufficient sterilization can also cause clouding of cucumbers, because the microbes preserved at the same time feed on canned food and give off gases. To prevent this, jars that have been rinsed several times with warm water should be placed upside down over the steam. It is most convenient to do this over a kettle or over a narrow-necked saucepan. It is necessary to keep the dishes over steam for 2-3 minutes, and then place them with their necks on a clean towel. Tin lids, thoroughly washed beforehand, must be boiled for 3-5 minutes. Then roll up the jar tightly. Leaking clogging of the cans also leads to the formation of turbidity in the brine, because microorganisms enter the can together with the air. They feed on its contents, releasing waste products into the brine. To avoid spoilage of canned cucumbers, all vegetables and spices (for example, currant leaves, dill, etc.) must be thoroughly washed in warm water before putting them in jars. Cracks and, especially, chips on the neck of the jar also create an opportunity for air containing microbes to penetrate into the harvested cucumbers. If, despite the careful preparation of dishes and food, canned cucumbers still become cloudy, then the reason for this is lactic acid fermentation. It occurs when there is not enough vinegar in the brine. The situation can be corrected by draining all the brine from the jars, rinsing the cucumbers and pouring them with a stronger marinade. It should be noted that not all varieties of cucumbers are intended for canning. Therefore, having rolled up salad cucumbers in jars, be prepared for the brine to become cloudy and acquire sediment. You should also not use iodized salt for canning and keep the workpieces warm.
