Use sterilized glass jars with new, sealed caps. The jars can be sterilized by boiling them for 10 minutes or washing them in a hot dishwasher. Make sure they are completely dry before use.
3. Fill the jars with
berries Gently place clean berries in each jar, filling them to about 2-3cm below the edge. Do not crush or crush the berries – they should remain whole.
4. Add lemon juice to each jar
Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to each 750ml jar. This step is crucial because lemon juice increases acidity, creating an environment where harmful bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum (which causes botulism) cannot thrive.
Blueberries in jars with lemon
water 5. Fill the jars with water
Pour clean, filtered water into the jars, completely covering the berries. Leave about 1 cm of free space at the top to allow them to expand while heating.
6. Wipe the edges of the jars and seal
Before sealing the jars, wipe the edges of each jar with a clean cloth to ensure that no fruit or juice interferes with the sealing process. Close tightly with clean, new lids.
7. Preparation for pasteurization
Place a clean cloth or folded kitchen cloth in the bottom of a large, deep pot. This will prevent the jars from hitting each other or against the pot while heating.
Carefully place the jars upright in the pot. Then, fill the pot with water until it reaches just below the jar lids. It is important not to cover them completely.
