A home-made pic on your plate can match nothing in this world . There is nothing more tangy and spicier than a pickle. Be it mango, lemon chilli, or mixed vegetable pickle. It is a part of Indian meals. Plain rice, Daal, and even Parathas can be enjoyed with them.
But when the summer is at its peak, the risk of these pickles increases. They become sour or might lose their flavours. You can feel the heartbreak if you are a pickle lover. If you see the fungus or smell once you open the jar.
In this article, we will guide you with hacks. You can keep your pickles fresh and flavourful. And can enjoy it all time. Smart and simple tricks, help you. These pictures can last for long. Be at the scorching heat.
Why Pickles Spoil in Summer
Before you know any solutions, let’s first understand why people go bad.
- Moisture – having moisture can be an enemy . Even if a single drop of water is inside the jar, it can lead to fungus.
- Improper oil coverage – one of the natural preservatives is Oil. They cover the ingredients and prevent them from getting spoiled.
- Unclean jars – contamination can be the result of the Leftover moisture. It can invite fungus in the jar.
- Exposure to sunlight or air – sunlight can damage your pickle . Even if the jar remains open, it can change the taste .
Knowing about these mistakes is good . So that you can preserve your pickle for a long time.
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6 Pickling Hacks You Need for Fresh, Tangy Pickles
Step 1: Choose the Right Jar
What do you think is more than why these containers matter?
- Ensure they’re bone-dry: since moistures invite fungus. So try to keep jars dry in sunlight for a few hours. Or keep it in the oven for some time.
- Use airtight lids: you can ignore the dust and air. These are the top three pickle spoilers.
Step 2: Balance Ingredients
The recipe is where the secret lies. Every ingredient that you add in the pickle . Must play its role nicely.
- Salt: salt is a natural preservative. For good results, use rock salt.
- Oil: traditional and effective ways are mustard oil or sesame oil. Make sure to heat them and cool them before mixing. This will help you kill the bacteria.
- Spices: flavours can be added by turmeric Turmeric, fenugreek, mustard seeds. They have anti-bacterial properties as well.
- No water, ever: do not use wet spoons. Avoid usage of water when you are preparing pickles. You can use lemon juice or vinegar for the betterment.
If you prepare it nicely. These pickles can stay good for 6–12 months.
Step 3: The Oil Layer Rule
If you love pickles. Every peace must be submerged in oil. This is the golden rule that grandmother used to follow.
Create a protective layer on top of the pickle. Once you mix it well. So that the ingredients are sealed. And avoid air exposure.
Check monthly: use some mustard oil on top. If you notice the oil level dropping.
Step 4: The Right Storage Spot
The life of the pickle is decided by where you store it.
- Avoid refrigeration : And it will even slow the process.
- For vinegar-based or modern pickles: since pickles rely less on oil preservation .Refrigeration works fine.
Tip: take smaller jars if you have made the pickles in big quantities. This way you can finish one by one, and the jars will be sealed.
Step 5: Use the Right Spoon
Never use a wet or dirty spoon. This is one of the best hacks that grandmothers used to follow.
Check your spoon twice before you dip it in the pickle. Ensuring that it is dry and clean. Slight witnesses can even introduce bacteria . It will spoil your entire effort.
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Step 6: Sunlight Therapy (The Traditional Way)
An old age technique is sun drying. Grandmother used to take good care of the pickles. One of the best natural preservatives is this.
- For a few hours, spread the ingredients. Before you mix them in the sunlight.
- Once you make the pickle ready . Close the jar and make it sit in sunlight . For about 1 to 2 hours in the first week.
- Then you can store it in some cold place.
Mild heating will help you enjoy a deeper taste. It will even keep the bacteria away.
Conclusion
Mixing pickles isn't just a recipe. It is a summer filled with tradition, patience and love. It is not hard to keep your pickles fresh. You just need to take good care. And have some good smart habits.
To maintain the perfect oil level. You need to know which jar is the right one. So that the pickles survive the bad weather. And stays for months. So this summer go out and bring mangoes. Make pickles that last till winter.
