How to choose the best gourmet canned vegetables in Spain

Enjoying the products of the land at any time of the year is only possible thanks to the canned and semi-preserved preserves and semi-preserves that offer a second chance to these delicacies from our gardens. Having canned vegetables in your pantry is a very healthy resource that brings flavor and a different touch to your recipes.
But, do you know how to choose a good vegetable preserve?

Difference between canned and semi-preserved vegetables

1- Conservation method

As methods of preservation there are many similarities between preserves and semi-preserves, since both are made to preserve all their properties and increase the time of consumption, and are presented in glass jars or cans for sale.
The main difference between the two is that the semi-preserves are non-sterilized food, packed in a closed container, with the vegetable raw, macerated in vinegar or salted.
In the case of vegetables, they are usually subjected to heat treatment, without reaching commercial sterility.
On the other hand, in canning, the vegetable undergoes a sterilization process before being hermetically packed, which increases its shelf life.

2- Expiration date

The production process of semi-preserves and preserves implies that semi-preserves have an expiration date, and cannot be consumed once they have expired, since the product may be in poor condition after that time.
Preserves, however, have a best-before date, i.e., after that date they may lose some properties of flavor or texture, but they are still suitable for consumption.
This date is usually around 24 months.

3- Place of storage

Another difference between preserves and semi-preserves is that preserves should be stored at room temperature in a pantry, away from light and heat sources, but never in the refrigerator.
On the other hand, semi-preserves should be stored in the refrigerator until consumption.

4- How to store them once opened

In both cases, if we open a can or jar and part of the product is left over, we must change the container, since the containers used are not suitable for containing food once opened.

How to choose gourmet canned vegetables

Usually gourmet canned vegetables are usually in glass, allowing you to clearly see its contents and the size of the pieces included.
But this is not the only factor to take into account, since the most important information can be found on the label where we are informed of:

• Origin of the product, it is mandatory to indicate the country or countries where the product comes from.
  If the package contains products from several countries, all of them must be indicated.
• Products with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), includes the seal of the corresponding regulatory council.
• Grade: It can be Extra or Standard (not indicated on the label), depending on the visual appearance and good condition of the product.
  In gourmet preserves it will always appear as EXTRA category. If it appears as Extra I or Extra II it is only a marketing concept, and does not mark different qualities.
• It comes from fresh produce: many canned vegetables are made from frozen products.
• Method of processing: if they are blanched or bleached before processing, a finer and more delicate product will be offered.
• Covering liquid: liquid that is added in the production process of some canned vegetables, before heat treatment, and in canned vegetables it is usually water, vegetable juice or vinegar.
• Ingredients such as the amount of salt or added ingredients, especially in the case of oils, always look for those that indicate 100% EVOO, or in the case of vinegars.
  Also check that there are few additives or preservatives.
• Net drained weight, indicates the real amount of product that we are going to obtain, and it is the real comparative value to see the price/kg or ration.

The best brands of canned vegetables in Spain

In Casa Ballester we have made a selection of the best Spanish brands that produce canned vegetables with local and seasonal products, such as: