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Canning with Dates/Date Sugar #417952

Asked July 30, 2017, 6:02 PM EDT

Please help! I would like to try dates, date syrup, date sugar, in canning (especially jams, preserves); but can find no information on the internet. How would this affect canning, since it is a whole fruit, not just a sugar extract? They are delicious used in cooking and baking, so I would like to expand their use.

I anticipate your response, Susan Alexander

Larimer County Colorado

Expert Response

Hello!

There are no tested, safe recipes for using date sugar in canning fruit or jams/jellies.  There is a recipe for chutney which contains dates here:
http://extension.wsu.edu/clark/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/05/Mediterranean-Apricot-and-Date-Ch...
Please remember to make altitude adjustment to your canning processing.
Let me know if you have additional questions.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 31, 2017, 10:56 AM EDT
Thank you for your quick rrsponse! With greater interest is more healthful sweetener options, don't you think it would be helpful for the necessary testing to be done? It would be great to have that information. Susan.
The Question Asker Replied July 31, 2017, 10:16 PM EDT
There is great interest from the public for using alternative sugars and sweeteners in canning.  However, at this time, the National Center for Home Food Preservation which conducts canning research is severely under-funded.
An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 04, 2017, 3:55 PM EDT

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