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Tomato pH and canning

Posted by seysonn 7b WA/HZ 1 (My Page) on
Sun, Oct 5, 14 at 4:14

According to USDA tomatoes in canning require a pH of 4.6 and lower. Correct me if I am wrong.
Here a list of some varieties with pH of LOWER than 4.6. This means that they can be safely canned without further acidification. To be on the safe side, less than 1/2 TBSpoon of lime/lemon juice or vinegar per quart, can lower the pH much further, likely to under 4, well into/within safe range.
NOTE of acknowledgement:
The list is provided by The University Of Illinois , according to Pupila C in tomato forum. The first number after the name represents avrg. tomato size, in oz and the second number is the pH.

So when we talk about tomato acidification in canning, this information can give an idea what we are talking about.

Federle 6.5 4.59
Pete's Italian Plum 4.7 4.56
Zapotec Pink Pleated 6.3 4.56
Jersey Devil 5.2 4.55
New Jersey 5.3 4.55
Spitze Russia 7.3 4.54
Large Polish Paste 8.2 4.53
Bisignano #2 7.3 4.52
Opalka 5.9 4.51

UNDER 4.50
Rutgers 6.8 4.51
Burbank Red Slicing 4.2 4.49
Tondo Fario 5.7 4.49
Black Krim 9.4 4.48
Grandma Mary's Paste 3.4 4.47
Marglobe 5.8 4.47
Rio Grande 3.0 4.47
Super Sioux 5.0 4.47
Le Case di Puligia 1.0 4.46
Soldacky 13.5 4.46
Ten Fingers of Naples 1.9 4.46
Brandywine, Pink 14.1 4.45
Rio de Fuego 2.5 4.45
Hungarian Heart 14.1 4.44
Kavalarovo Plum 1.1 4.44
Antique Roman 6.9 4.43
Homestead 8.9 4.43
Amana Orange 15.4 4.42
Amish Paste 7.4 4.41
Joe's Plum 10.2 4.41
Juane Peach 1.6 4.41
Goliath 16.1 4.40
Howard German 4.1 4.40
Polish Linguisa 6.0 4.40

UNDER 4.40

Rose de Berne 5.4 4.40
Delicious 6.2 4.39
Italian Plum Canning Type 3.0 4.39
Moskvich 6.2 4.39
Brandywine, OTV 10.7 4.38
Cherokee Purple 8.6 4.38
Martino Roma 1.9 4.38
Napoli 1.7 4.38
Popovich 3.1 4.38
Santiam 3.2 4.38
Arkansas Traveler 4.8 4.37
Brandywine, Yellow 13.2 4.37
Di Santos 7.7 4.37
Costoluto Genovese 4.9 4.36
Saucy 1.8 4.36
Anna Banana 5.9 4.35
Black From Tula 9.9 4.35
Ellis Island 14.7 4.35
Stupice 2.2 4.35
Ernie's Plump 6.9 4.34
San Marzano 2.1 4.34
Watermelon 14.2 4.34
Super Italian Paste 5.4 4.33
Bloody Butcher 2.6 4.31
Jubilee 6.9 4.31
Striped Stuffer 3.9 4.31

UNDER 4.30

Giant Syrian 10.6 4.29
Landino di Panocchia 3.5 4.29
Laurano 2.5 4.28
Mortgage Lifter 12.8 4.28
Pantano Romanesco 7.8 4.28
Caspian Pink 12.4 4.27
Persimmons 9.0 4.27
Bull's Heart 9.3 4.26
Ropreco Plum 1.8 4.24
New Hampshire Surecrop 1.0 4.23
Pomodoro Grosso 5.4 4.22
Oscar 6.3 4.21
Silvery Fir Tree 3.8 4.21
Abe Lincoln 4.9 4.20

UNDER 4.2O

Bianco Great White 9.2 4.16
Prairie Fire 2.3 4.10
Purple Calabash 4.0 4.07
Platillo 4.1 4.02


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Tomato pH and canning

The flaw in your theory is this: The amount of acid, and other components like sugars, varies in fruits based on the climate (the amount of heat/sun/rain), the soil, the variety, and other factors.

For instance, when North Dakota State University tested Opalka, their test resulted in a pH of 5.08. Quite a difference from the University of Illinois's test result of 4.51.

The point that you are obviously missing is that pH is wildly variable. So just acidify everything and be safe.

Is there a particular reason you keep bringing this up? As I recall, you don't even can tomatoes. Actually, I don't think you can anything, correct?


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RE: Tomato pH and canning

Is there a particular reason you keep bringing this up? As I recall, you don't even can tomatoes. Actually, I don't think you can anything, correct?

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
REASON ?
For your information this is a "forum" (not a governmental advisory board) if you understand its meaning.

I do can tomatoes although not a whole lot. So far this season I have canned just 10 quarts.

The list that I put up is just to get an some idea about tomatoes acidity and what is required for safe canning.

In the absence of a pH meter I add about 1/2 TB spoon per quart, just to be sure. And that should bring pH of any tomato under 4.


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RE: Tomato pH and canning

If you think you need any lemon juice at all, why don't you just add the 2 Tbsp/quart as NCHFP recommends? I mean, they've done testing and came up with that amount to bring the pH of any tomato well within the safe limits - and they DO have pH meters.

If you object to the taste of lemon juice, there's always citric acid.


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