Why do pickles spoil and become soft in jars? Reasons and canning rules.

Even experienced canning experts can fail. For example, a common problem is cucumbers becoming soft. There are many different reasons why jarred pickles become soft after being canned.

Why do pickles become soft?

It would seem that pickling cucumbers for the winter couldn't be simpler. The pickling process is straightforward, but even so, problems arise.

Mistakes made during sterilization

One of the most common causes is improper sterilization. Jars were not properly washed before pickling.

Lack of tightness

The lids were not sealed tightly, air got into the jars, and because of this, the cucumbers turned into mush during storage.

Improper storage

It is recommended to store finished preserves in a cool place away from sunlight.

If these conditions are not met, the preparation will quickly spoil, and the fruits themselves will seem to fall apart.

Cucumbers not suitable for canning

Young, small cucumbers are best for pickling. Their flesh is firm and won't spoil during pickling. The same can't be said for large, old cucumbers. Even with proper pickling and storage, these cucumbers still lack crunch.

Incorrect stacking of vegetables

Cucumbers can become soft and lack crunch if they're packed too tightly into jars. This causes them to turn into jelly. While the top cucumbers may remain crispy, the ones at the bottom will be dull.

The effect of pectolytic enzymes

Barrel-cured cucumbers soften under the influence of pectolytic enzymes. These enzymes break down pectin, weakening the bonds between cells during fermentation. These enzymes dissolve in water, resulting in very soft and flavorless cucumbers.

Incorrectly prepared brine

When preparing brine, if the process isn't followed correctly, pickled cucumbers can become soft. For example, if too little salt was used, the brine will become slimy. The salt concentration in the water should be between 6 and 9%.

Hollow cucumbers: causes

Another problem with preserving cucumbers is that the fruits turn out hollow.

Long-term storage of canned food

It's recommended to store pickled cucumbers for no more than two years. The longer they're stored, the worse their flavor becomes. If the pickles become hollow inside, they can safely be thrown away.

Long cooking time

It is possible that the sterilization time of the jars was exceeded, or, conversely, they were sterilized for too little time.

Using overripe cucumbers

Overripe cucumbers are very soft and tasteless, so many people, rather than waste their harvest, pickle them in the hopes of saving them. However, using overripe cucumbers for pickling often results in the fruit becoming hollow inside.

Why do cucumbers wrinkle in jars?

Cucumbers often wrinkle after canning. This can be caused by improper storage, errors during brine preparation, sterilization, or choosing the wrong variety. To prevent cucumbers from wrinkling, you need to pickle them correctly.

How to pickle cucumbers properly

Three main ways of pickling cucumbers.

Pouring hot brine

When pickling, you can use a hot brine. To do this, pour water into a saucepan, then add salt, sugar, and vinegar. Bay leaves and black pepper can be added. Bring the water to a boil. Then pour the boiling water over the preserves.

Cold preparation

Cold water is poured into the jars along with spices, salt, and sugar. The jars are then left for 2-3 days, covered with a towel. After 3 days, roll up the lids.

Pickling

Pickled cucumbers are prepared over several days. The cucumbers are placed in barrels, then seasoned with spices, horseradish leaves, dill, currant leaves, and garlic. Cold brine is poured over the cucumbers. Cover with a lid and press down. The cucumbers marinate for two days.

Tips and recommendations from experienced housewives

Pickling tips:

1. You need to use young and firm cucumbers.
2. To keep the cucumbers crispy, use only vinegar, not citric acid or aspirin.
3. Before pickling, jars are thoroughly washed with soda.
4. The sterilization time should be about 15 minutes.

By following all the rules of winter preservation, you will be able to prepare the most delicious cucumbers.