User:Laurabrager/sandbox

Ingredients (may vary for different recipes)

 * Apples (peeled, cored, and finely chopped)
 * Brown (or white) sugar
 * Apple juice (or apple cider)
 * Spices (nutmeg, cloves, allspice, cardamom, vanilla extract and lemon juice – optional.)

Types of Apples
Different types of apples can be used for the production of apple butter. Apples are chosen based on their physical and chemical properties – such as hardness, sweetness, acidity/tartness, etc. Soft apples are often chosen for the production of apple butter because it can be broken down easier and faster when cooked. These types of apples include: McIntosh (soft, creamy), Cortland, (soft, sweet-and-tart, all-purpose), Granny Smith (tartness sweetens upon cooking, ideal complement to savory and salty foods).

Homemade recipe
Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until the apples become brown and soft. Allow most of the liquid in the mixture to evaporate until the sauce becomes thick/gooey. Once the desired thick texture of the sauce is achieved, turn off the heat and puree the sauce with a blender.

Manufactured recipe (following the Wellesley brand apple butter)
Apples are first selected based on ripeness, texture, natural sweetness and tartness/acidity. Some of these apples are pressed into fresh apple cider, while the rest are peeled and cored, then wholly steamed and cooked into apple puree. The freshly pressed apple cider and cooked apple puree are added to a large steam vat. Small amounts of sodium bicarbonate are added to the mixture in order to reduce acidity and help bring out sweetness from the natural fructose available in the apples. The mixture will then be boiled during the evaporation process, allowing the volume to reduce by about seven times. The end product will be a concentrated mixture used as apple butter.

Storage/Packaging
Apple butter is typically packaged in the same way whether it is prepared in a factory setting or made at home. They can be packaged mechanically in jars or cans through the use of machinery.

Typically, the jars are sterilized before packaging to ensure no harmful microorganisms or bacteria will infect the product, causing it to spoil. The best way to sterilize the jars is with a combination of high temperature heating and ensuring a tight seal. The following explanation is a home-based procedure for jar and can sterilization, which is closely replicated on a large-scale in factories:

First, wash the jars, bands and lids in soapy water and leave to dry. Place the jars in boiling water for 10 minutes, reduce to a simmer and leave until they are ready to use. The jars can then be filled with the apple butter or the desired product. Then, place the rings and lids on the jars and tighten them to seal into place. It is important to be wary of cross-contamination throughout the canning process to minimize the chances of spoilage.

Apples are a high acid food, with a pH below 4.6. Therefore, the apple butter is able to be placed in hot jars without chances of compromising quality of the product. The main spoilers for acid foods, such as apples, are molds, yeasts and enzymes, all of which can be killed at the temperatures reached in the hot water bath during the sterilization process for cans and jars, as outlined above. The spoilage microorganisms in acid foods can be destroyed in a small amount of time at temperatures below that of boiling water, so there is little risk of microorganisms appearing in the food product itself.


 * STORAGE

There are numerous methods that can be used for the storage of apple butter. However, no method is 100% dependable, as there is always a chance of the presence of bacteria or other microorganisms within the food itself, on the storage equipment or in the storage facility.


 * FREEZING

Freezing jars of apple butter can help to maintain quality and inhibit bacterial growth. However, this storage method does not destroy pre-existing microorganisms that may be present in the product, so it is important to be wary when consuming previously frozen product.


 * Boiling jars.jpgNG

Applying high temperatures over a specified period of time can not only aid in the sterilization of the jars or cans used in packaging, but it can help maximize the storage time of the apple butter or other products Boiling the jars will remove the oxygen remaining in the jar, which forms a tight seal between the lid and the rim. The heat used for this method of canning can be sufficient enough to kill bacterial cells found in the food. Only high-acid food with a pH of 4.6 or less can be processed using the boiling water bath method. This is because high-acid foods prevent the growth of spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which can’t be killed by boiling. Foods with a pH of more than 4.6 can allow the spores to grow


 * VACUUM SEALS

Similar to the boiling process, vacuum sealing jars or cans of apple butter can remove remaining oxygen in the jar, forming a tight seal. The vacuuming process can be done in both a large-scale factory manner or at home with a mechanical vacuum sealer. Special devices, such as a vacuum pack sealer, can be fitted with specific jar attachments to fit over the lid of a jar and create a secure fit.


 * PRESSURIZATION

Low-acid foods can be processed in a pressure canner to get rid of the risk of botulism, however, this treatment is not necessary for high-acid foods such as apple butter. Apple butter does not require sterilization at extremely high temperatures to reach optimum storage and maintain quality, so the pressure canning process is not typically used for this product.

Preservation and Spoilage
The preservation of apple butter involves application of several food science concepts, including controlling the temperature, water activity, and level of acidity in the product. Thermal processing not only helps produce texture and flavor characteristic to apple butter but is also a common way of sterilizing food products. It is a critical step in minimizing the potential growth of spoilage causing and illness causing microorganisms in the product. As a result of thermal processing and the softening of the apples, the presence of air bubbles can be minimized during canning. Refrigeration is a way of preserving apple butter after thermal processing. Though it is not a method which eliminates microorganisms, it is a method to decrease the rate at which microorganisms grow. Opened jars of apple butter may last a year if kept under low temperature conditions. With refrigeration, the quality of apple butter may still decrease over time.

Aside from controlling the temperature, regulation of the water activity in apple butter may also preserve the quality of apple butter. Water present in foods may exist in two types: bound water and free water. Bound water refers to water molecules that are attached to other molecules, making them unable to participate in chemical reactions or be utilized by microorganisms to contribute to their growth. Free water refers to water molecules free to perform the above functions, and should be decreased to achieve a longer preservation period. The addition of sugar to apple butter allows more binding with the free water molecules and thereby decreases the amount of free water to support microbial growth.

Lowering the pH level of apple butter may also help decrease the rate of spoilage. Acidity in foods would create a less favorable environment for the survival of microorganisms, thus are able to inhibit the growth of bacteria and molds. Foods that have a pH of less than 4.6 are considered high acid foods, and apples in general have a pH of 3.7. Some recipes may include the addition of vinegar as a way to further bring down the pH and preserve the quality of the end product.

Sometimes, commercial brands of apple butter can be found with other ingredients and food additives. High fructose corn syrup is a preservative that has a high level of acidity and is often used by manufacturers in the preservation of food products, including apple butter. Sodium benzoate, an additive allowed under the Canadian food regulation, is capable of inhibiting the growth of fungi and has been used as a preservative in apple butter.

It is possible to observe spoilage in apple butter if the end product is not properly sterilized during the canning process, allowing microorganisms survive and grow in the container. Lack of refrigeration may also speed up the rate of spoilage of apple butter. Slight deterioration in quality happens with time even if the product is refrigerated, and does not pose a threat to the consumer. Some indicators for change in quality include the change of color and smell. However, apple butter should be discarded there are clear signs of spoilage, such as when mold is found on the product surface. Even prior to apple butter preparation, the quality of apples should be taken into consideration since it it has been reported to correspond to the level of patulin, a type of toxin produced by molds, present in apples. Studies have also shown that a longer period of heat treatment can reduce the levels of patulin present in the product.

Nutrition Value of Apple Butter
The nutritional value of apple butter is varies quite a bit based on the recipe used to prepare that particular product. The ingredient list can be as simple as just two ingredients to a much more complicated mixture of foods. Although the ingredients may vary, which changes the nutritional value of the apple butter, the two main things that stand out to consumers on the nutritional facts table are the amount of carbohydrates and the amount of sugar that the apple butter contains. For 1 tablespoon the amount of carbohydrates range from 4-15 grams and the sugar content ranges from about 4-10 grams. Apple butter is not a good source for iron, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B, though it contains a small amount of vitamin C.  Although all the recipes vary the main ingredients in all apple butters is apples and apple juice. In commercial brands of apple butter the type of apples used are not specified, but in certain homemade recipes they specify what types of apples to use. Commercial brands tend to use corn syrup in their apple butter.In homemade apple butter, sugar or brown sugar are more frequently used. Apple butter may be a healthier choice of spread than other breakfast spreads, but would not be considered to be healthy, as it does not give the consumer very many nutrients. Apple butter is more of an accessory food to put on your toast or other foods simply added for its taste.

Food Borne Diseases Associated with Apple Butter
Apple Butter is at low risk for food borne disease. The way that Apple Butter is packaged is very similar to that of Jams. Apple Butter is stored in glass jars, which allow light to enter the container therefore their self-life is less than that of food canned in steel cans. The preservation technic used to preserve apple butter is called canning. Canning is a process where pre-packaged food is exposed to moist heat of at least 121°c for a certain amount of time in order to kill microorganism that cause spoilage and disease. Although Apple Butter is at low risk for food borne disease if canned improperly, especially when being made at home, the product may grow dangerous microorganism.If improperly canned a germ called Clostridium botulinum can survive and multiply in the jar. This germ produces a toxin that can serious harm an individual or in some cases even cause death. Individual need to verify that the jars are properly seal and that the heat treatment is used on the jars of apple butter for a sufficient amount of time in order to kill all microorganisms and prevent the product from contamination through the air of the outside environment. Once the jar is unsealed then the product must be stored in a refrigerated environment to maintain good as the refrigeration may slow down or inhibit the growth of microorganism that cause spoilage.

Cultural Background
Apple butter was first established in New England in the 1700s in an attempt to create a condiment that would last through the winter. The English people enjoyed applesauce but without the luxury of refrigeration, found that it often turned rancid before the end of winter. After experimenting with different cooking techniques and ingredients, apple butter was founded. It was traditionally made during the month of October as a community event and would span up to three days. Young boys would gather the apples and wood for the fire w hile the women would peel and slice the apples. After the fire was made, the women would do all of the remaining work, including adding the necessary spices and constantly stirring the mixture to prevent burning. The finishing of the product was celebrated with a dance and the cooking soon became a social event everyone looked forward to. Eventually, it was brought over to North America by the Pennsylvania Dutch setters and has stayed ever since.

Apple Butter Uses
Apple butter and apple sauce also have different uses. Popular ways of using apple butter include, condiment or spreads for pastries and pie fillings. It can also be used as a healthier alternative for oil, shortening, or butter. Some people also enjoy using it to marinate meat, or pairing it with cooked meat and cheeses such as cheddar, brie or chevre. Apple sauce, in contrast, is usually served on its own or as a side dish for a variety of dishes

Difference Between Apple Sauce and Butter
Many may be more familiar with apple butter’s close relative apple sauce and not be entirely sure of the differences. Apple sauce may consist of nothing more than apple and water, and possibly sugar, while apple butter contains an additional variety of spices, such as cinnamon, and cloves. During the preparation process, apples are cored for apple sauces but not for apple butter, allowing it to have a much stronger apple taste. The two also differ in cooking time; apple sauce just needs to be cooked until the apples are soft enough to be pureed, while apple butter needs to be cooked until the apples brown, break down and thicken. As a result of its long cooking time, apple butter is a much darker, caramel brown color, while apple sauce is usually a lighter golden color. The consistencies of these two delicacies also vary; apple sauce has a more liquid consistency while apple butter is thicker and is more spreadable.