How to determine the shelf life of canned green peas

Sometimes on holidays, and in everyday life, you can see an elegant dish on the table, decorated with small green balls. However, we are not only talking about a stylish decoration made of peas. Surely everyone knows about the benefits of green peas. But the shelf life of this product may raise questions.

The green representative of the legume family has been known to people for a very long time. Thus, it was used with pleasure, for example, by the ancient peoples of India and the Mediterranean. People have long known about this food culture. Moreover, in those days they had not even heard of corn, wheat or potatoes. And now some people are successfully replacing, for example, potatoes with peas. However, to get maximum benefit from the product, it is also useful to know about the rules for storing it.

Pea selection

Legumes or dried legumes that are intended to be stored are selected according to the following criteria:

• uniform green color for fresh pods;
• good degree of density, fullness. Flat and soft pods indicate that the peas are not yet ripe;
• the peas inside the pods should be dense, smooth, evenly colored, without plaque or brown spots;
• lack of moisture in the dried product;
• flowability of the product (in packaging);
• same color and size of dried peas.

How long peas are stored will depend not only on the conditions and its quality, but also on the type of this crop.

Dried peas should be stored according to the rules specified by the manufacturer, which are on the packaging. There is also an expiration date for the product.

Being in a pod, this crop will not be able to maintain freshness for a long time, so it is advisable to decide on a storage method in the very near future.

Storing fresh peas

Fresh peas should be stored in the refrigerator. But even there, being in the pods, it will remain fresh for no more than 7 days.

To increase the shelf life of fresh green peas, you should:

• remove from the doors,
• place in a deep container,
• keep on a shelf of the refrigerator far from the freezer, without covering tightly for good air circulation.

Storing fresh peas in this form can last up to six months. To keep it usable longer, you should choose one of the following methods:

How long to store

Each type of pea has its own shelf life:

• fresh (in pods) – up to 7 days in the refrigerator;
• purified – 6 months (or longer);
• frozen (peeled and in the wings) – 8 – 10 months;
• in canned form – 12 months or more. Depends on compliance with the rules of canning and saving;
• dried - several years. But it is advisable to use it within the first 12 months.

General storage table

Type of pea

Shelf life

Conservation

A good way to store peas for the winter is canning. They do this as follows:

1. Peas are removed from the pods, selecting only whole, green, free from plaque, stains and damage.
2. Next, the selected products are washed and placed in boiling water with added salt.
3. The liquid is drained after 4 - 5 minutes, after which the peas are washed in warm water.
4. The preparations are distributed into sterile glass containers (0.5 liters) and filled with brine (1 tablespoon of salt per 1 liter of water).
5. Add a little vinegar (a quarter of a teaspoon) and seal the jars.
6. The jars are turned over, covered with a warm blanket and kept in this form until they cool completely.

Canning allows you to preserve the consumer qualities of this product for 12 months or more. For example, large canned peas can be stored for 2 years.

Once the can is opened, its contents must be consumed within 24 hours. All this time the jar must be stored on the refrigerator shelf.

Storage rules

In order for peas to be stored for a long time, you need to choose them wisely, focusing on the following factors:

• Uniform green color (for fresh). There should be no dark spots.
• Density and hardness.
• Smooth surface of peas.
• Flowability. Relevant for packaged packages.

Storage conditions directly depend on the type of crop . The easiest way to store homemade or store-bought dried peas. In a dark, dry, relatively cool place it does not deteriorate for several years, but it is better not to keep it longer than 1 year , since the taste gradually deteriorates. Fresh quickly withers, can become moldy, it needs to be dried, canned or frozen. The culture cannot be left in the pods.

Main shelf life:

Fresh peas

Freshly picked peas are placed in the refrigerator. In pods it does not spoil within a week. To extend this period you must:

1. To peel.
2. Place in a deep bowl.
3. Keep in the refrigerator away from the freezer. No need to seal tightly.

In this state, fresh beans are suitable for consumption for 6 months. There are 3 methods for longer storage:

1. Conservation.
2. Drying.
3. Freezing.

Conservation

The product can be preserved yourself. In terms of taste and nutritional qualities, it will be the same as factory-made green peas in jars. Its shelf life is the same as the factory one.

For preservation you need:

1. Remove the peel.
2. Sort the beans. Only whole, green peas without damage, stains or plaque are suitable.
3. Rinse, place in boiling water and add salt.
4. After 4-5 minutes, drain the water and rinse the beans well. Use warm water for rinsing.
5. Place the material in sterile glass jars. Do not use containers that are too large, 500 ml is enough.
6. Fill with saline solution. For 1 liter of water add 1 tbsp. l. salt.
7. Add vinegar. Add ¼ tsp to each jar. table vinegar. Has a preservative effect.
8. Roll up, turn over and wrap the cans with a warm blanket.

After cooling, the preservation is completely ready and can be sent for long-term storage. It is best to place it in the cellar, but if the preparation technology is followed, the product does not deteriorate for 1 year , even at room temperature. Stored in the cellar or refrigerator for at least 2 years . Similar terms are relevant for factory canned peas.

After opening a can of homemade or store-bought peas, the product is suitable for consumption within 24 hours . Must be stored in the refrigerator. In the case of a factory-made product, the contents must be immediately transferred to a glass or ceramic container.

Freezing

Fresh peas are ideal for freezing. After defrosting, its taste, consistency and beneficial properties practically do not change. Can be stored for up to 10 months . If stored for a longer period of time, the product will not become unsafe, but its taste will noticeably deteriorate. Only fully formed peas are used for freezing. Freezing in pods is allowed.

To freeze peas you need:

1. Sort through, removing the stems, and rinse thoroughly. The pods are divided into 2-3 parts depending on their length.
2. Blanch the peas for 2-3 minutes in boiling water.
3. Cool beans with cold water or ice.
4. Dry naturally on paper towels.
5. Place in sealed bags or containers and place in the freezer.

To prevent the workpieces from turning into solid lumps, the bags must be shaken occasionally.

Drying

It is best to dry peas naturally , but not in direct sunlight. You can use an electric dryer or oven at the minimum temperature setting (not higher than 50-60°C). The workpiece must be kept in a dark, dry place at temperatures up to +25°C .

Peas must be thoroughly dried . Otherwise, mold may appear. To extend shelf life, it is important to use airtight containers. It will also protect against pests. It is best to use a glass jar with an airtight lid. Under such conditions, the shelf life is several years.

Factory dried peas in sealed bags can be stored almost indefinitely in a dark, dry place. After opening the package, the product should be poured into a tightly closed container. Both homemade and store-bought peas are best consumed within a year. After this period, the taste begins to deteriorate faster.

Boiled and soaked

After cooking, the shelf life is sharply reduced as the beans become saturated with moisture. Can be kept at room temperature for several hours. Remains usable in the refrigerator for 2-3 days . If other ingredients are present in addition to peas, the shelf life is reduced to 2 days .

Before cooking, dried peas are usually soaked in lightly salted water to absorb moisture and cook faster. It is not recommended to keep the product soaked for longer than 12 hours at room temperature. If you leave it for longer, fermentation will begin and the beans will spoil. Soaked peas can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours .

Freezing

You can store peas in the freezer for 8 months. At the same time, it will not lose its taste and beneficial properties. For this, it is important to select juicy peas that have finally formed (you can directly in the pods) and adhere to the following freezing stages:

1. The legumes are sorted, removing the stalks, and washed well (each pod can be divided into 2 - 3 parts).
2. Blanch the peas in a colander in boiling water for 2 - 3 minutes.
3. Cool the peas under running cold water or with ice cubes.
4. The legumes are well dried at room temperature, for which they are distributed in one layer on napkins.
5. After the moisture has completely evaporated, the peas are placed in bags or containers, tightly closed and sent to the freezer.

During storage, containers with peas should be shaken periodically to prevent the formation of lumps.

Dried peas

Dried peas should be stored in dark places with little humidity and a temperature not exceeding +25°C.

Before storage, the peas are thoroughly dried to prevent mold from forming on them. At the same time, they are kept in a hermetically sealed container to avoid attacks by pests.

It is advisable to store dried peas at home in a glass container, hermetically sealed (vacuum lids work well).

Dried peas should be stored in original packaging until the seal breaks. After this, the product must be poured into a container with a tight-fitting lid.

How long can you store peas at home?

The first question you need to understand is what is the shelf life of dry peas. In this regard, it is very advantageous, since in dry form it can be stored for several years. At the same time, do not forget about observing the storage rules, which will be discussed below. Many housewives prefer to purchase peas in small quantities and replenish the stock as needed. This way you won’t have to throw away a large amount of product if storage rules are violated.

How to properly store split peas at home?

Now let's look at tips that will help you store peas at home without any problems. Even if you follow all the recommendations, periodically check your supplies for insects, mold or peculiar odors. If you notice that any of the above appears, then do not use peas for cooking. In this case, there is a possibility of bacteria penetrating not only onto the surface of the grains, but also inside.

What affects the safety of peas and the duration of their storage:

• Humidity is an important factor when storing peas. It must be in a dark and dry place, with access to fresh air. Closed shelves and cabinets are suitable. Do not use shelves located in close proximity to a gas stove. The heat that comes from the burners will increase the humidity in the air and increase the risk of moldy peas.
• Almost any container is suitable for storing grains. This could be a glass jar or a plastic container. The main condition is the presence of a sealed lid. The ideal option is a container with a lid with a vacuum suction system.
• The product can only be stored dry. If you have already soaked the peas for some time, you need to use them completely. Don't try to dry it. Dampness that has penetrated into the grains will not disappear, but will lead to molding of the product.
• When buying peas in a store, it is better to pour them from the manufacturer’s packaging into a container with a lid. Review the product. There should be no grains stuck together; all peas should be crumbly. If this is not the case, then the storage conditions have already been violated.

Helpful advice. To extend the shelf life of split peas, you need to make a small bag of cloth and fill it with salt. The bag with its contents must be placed in the container where the product is stored.

Storing Boiled Peas

An interesting feature of peas is that during heat treatment the number of beneficial properties does not decrease. Therefore, in order to get all the benefits from this product, every housewife needs to know how to store boiled peas at home.

To avoid problems with the gastrointestinal tract, any dishes prepared from these grains must be immediately placed in the refrigerator after cooling. Otherwise, within a few hours they will become unusable.

Often porridge and soup are prepared from this product. Pea porridge can be stored in the refrigerator for two days. The soup can be stored for one more day. It is better to throw away products that have expired.

Note to the owner. Before cooking, the required amount of peas must be soaked in water or steamed with boiling water. The amount of water should be several times higher, given that the peas will increase in size. This will reduce the cooking time. The time the grains are in water should not exceed 12 hours so that the fermentation process does not begin.

Delight your family with a variety of pea dishes and get the maximum benefits!

Boiled storage

The boiled product should be placed in the refrigerator, since under natural conditions it will only last for a few hours.

After completely cooling, dishes with peas are also transferred to the cold as soon as possible.

Pea soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. And the porridge will remain fresh only for 2 days. After the specified period, the product should be thrown away, as the risk of poisoning from a stale dish is great.

Peas should be stored after soaking (steaming) for no longer than 12 hours. After this time, the fermentation process will begin.

The method of storing peas should be chosen based on its condition. Dry and fresh legumes are stored differently. Compliance with the storage rules of this product will allow you to preserve its beneficial and tasteful qualities for a long time.

Green peas are a versatile product that can be added to many dishes and consumed separately. In this article you will learn three main ways to preserve green peas for the winter so that they do not lose their taste and beneficial qualities.

Pea storage features

In most cases, it is peas that are sent for storage, but in some situations, housewives prepare whole pea pods for the winter. This is not to say that the storage processes of both options are very different from each other, but at the same time it is worth knowing about some of the features of each of them.

Pickling

This option for harvesting green peas for the winter is even simpler than the previous ones, since it does not require heat treatment of the filled jars. All you need is 1 kg of green peas, 60 g of salt and 600 ml of water. The process of making pickles is also not complicated, and you only need to do the following:

• Prepared beans should be peeled and then left in cold water for several hours.
• After this time, the water is drained, and the peas themselves are placed in steamed jars.
• Next you need to prepare the brine: simply dissolve the salt in boiling water.
• At the end of the process, all that remains is to fill the beans with hot brine, seal the jars with nylon lids and, after completely cooling, transfer the workpieces to the cold.

Which peas are suitable for long-term storage?

Varieties of green peas are divided into three groups:

1. Sugar . The name doesn't quite match the taste of the peas. It's actually not that sweet, it just lacks the tough layer of flesh. It becomes tasty only during the cooking process.
2. Brain or peeling are the most common. These are already truly sweet peas, which are ideal for storing, canning and eating fresh.
3. Feed . Used for cultivation on an industrial scale, the taste is very mediocre. Such varieties are not recommended for the garden - the costs of money and time are the same, but the result will not please you.

When and how to harvest peas correctly

In order for green peas to delight you with their taste all winter, you need to harvest them correctly. The main thing is to do it on time. The pods should be green, without spots or yellow mesh, and the peas should be fully ripe . If the pods are flat, the peas in them are still small and too tender to pick. If a mesh has already appeared on the pods, it means the peas are overripe, they are no longer so juicy and sweet. Withered pods indicate dried out peas.

Attention! Peas are harvested several times a season in dry, sunny weather. Excessive moisture will cause the pods to become damp and begin to rot.

When and how to harvest peas for storage

Selection of pea varieties

. First of all, we pay attention to the choice of pea variety.

• Sugar varieties . Here, the name does not correspond to peas. In fact, it is not sweet at all. Simply, peas do not have a hard layer in the pulp, and therefore, their taste is revealed only after heat treatment.
• Peeling (brain) varieties . These peas are truly sweet. At the same time, it is ideal for storage, canning and fresh consumption.
• Fodder varieties . Used on an industrial scale. The taste is not very good. Therefore, it is better not to use it in gardens.

Ripeness degree

. The pods must be fully ripe. This means that the color of the pods should be green, and there should be no spots or yellow mesh on the pod. The presence of these symptoms indicates that the peas are overripe. As a result, it becomes not very juicy and sweet. Pods that have wilted signal to us that the peas have begun to dry out. By the way, flat pods are usually not ready for assembly yet.

And also, remember that frozen peas can be stored for 8 months.

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Storing peas in pods and without

Peas can be stored and consumed in their pods . Sugar varieties are suitable for this. In this case, it is not necessary to wait until the peas are fully ripe.

The pods are collected, placed in plastic bags and stored in the refrigerator for no more than 1 week. Then the peas will start to spoil. Its taste changes already on the second day of storage, because the sugar in the grains turns into starch.

Note! Drying, freezing and canning work equally well for peas and whole pods.

How to dry peas correctly

Before drying, peas undergo proper preparation:

1. We rinse it under running water.
2. Place in boiling water for 2 minutes.
3. Place in a colander and place in cold water (to preserve fresh green color).
4. Then place the peas in boiling water again for 1 minute.
5. Remove and place on paper towels to dry.

to dry peas at home :

• Without the use of special heating. We use large areas to lay out the peas in one layer. The air must be dry and the room well ventilated, otherwise the fruits will rot.
• In the oven. Place the peas in a single layer on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Place in the oven, preheated to +45°C for 2-3 hours. Leave the door slightly open for air circulation.
• In an electric dryer. We install all the trays in it, regardless of the number of peas. We dry it for 6–8 hours at a temperature of +60°C. With this method, peas can be used raw, without blanching.

Determine the readiness of dried peas by appearance and touch . It becomes wrinkled and dark green in color. The surface is velvety to the touch; when compressed, there should be no air chambers inside. If the peas remain soft, it means they are not dried yet. But peas shouldn’t be hard as a rock either.

How to store peas (methods)

How to store peas in pods

. This method is possible even for sugar varieties. Here, there is no need to wait for complete ripeness.

We pack the peas in plastic bags and put them in the refrigerator. So, it can last up to 7 days. By the way, with this method of storage, the taste of peas changes already on the 2nd day. This is due to lower temperatures, therefore, the sugar in the peas turns into starch.

How to store dried peas

. First of all, in this matter, it is necessary to properly prepare the peas for drying.

• Rinsing peas with running water.
• Place the peas in boiling water for two minutes.
• The next stage is a colander and then place it in cold water.
• And now we again pour the peas into boiling water, but for one minute.
• Next, take it out and dry it on a paper towel.

Now, according to plan, we are drying peas, which can be done in three ways.

• Naturally . Here, we dry without using electrical appliances. In this case, the drying room should be well ventilated and the air should be dry. Otherwise, the peas will simply rot. It’s important to lay it out in one layer.
• Dry in the oven . The process takes place in the oven at a temperature of 40 ° C - 45 ° C. Where, we cover the baking sheet with baking paper, and lay out the peas in one layer and dry for 2 hours - 3 hours with the door ajar (for ventilation).
• The third option is in an electric dryer , at a temperature of + 60 ° C and a time of 6 hours - 8 hours. In this case, raw peas are suitable for drying, and there is no need to blanch them.

We determine the readiness of dried peas by appearance and touch. For example, it becomes dark green and wrinkled. The peas are velvety and firm to the touch. But not like a stone.

Optimal storage conditions for dried peas

. Darkness, temperature up to + 25 °C. Storage containers must be airtight, for example, containers, jars. Otherwise, insects (harmful) may appear.

How to store peas in the freezer

You can freeze both pods and just grains. We select everything of high quality and without defects. If you decide to freeze the peas, then begin the procedure immediately after assembly, 1 to 2 hours later.

The preparation process is the same as when drying peas. Blanch, rinse, blanch again, dry.

Next, put it in a single layer on a pallet and put it in the freezer. And so in batches, we freeze everything. As a result, we get peas in bulk. Comfortable.

We freeze the pods according to the old scheme; the preparation here is the same as for drying.

And also, remember that frozen peas can be stored for 8 months.

When growing peas in a personal plot, the question always arises: “how to store peas.” And this is not surprising, because this crop is quite common among Russian gardeners. Many people simply like to eat it fresh in the summer and do not think about preserving the harvest for the winter. But many summer residents are engaged in preparing peas for the winter. And here, as elsewhere, there are rules for storage. Later in the article, we will look at everything in order and understand how to do (store) correctly. Go?

Proper freezing of peas

Freezing guarantees the freshness of the product throughout the entire storage period . You can freeze both grains and pods completely. Both must be intact, without defects. We choose grains that are mature, fleshy and tender. If you decide to freeze peas, start this procedure within 1-2 hours after assembly.

The stage of grain preparation is the same as during drying . Blanch (alternately dip the fruits in boiling water and cold water) as desired. Place the washed and dried peas on a tray or tray in one layer and place in the freezer.

Since freezing is a quick process, you can freeze it in batches: while one is in the freezer, prepare the next one. To do this, you can use ice molds: distribute the peas, fill them with water and put them in the freezer.

Canning green peas: the best recipes

The third common way to store peas is canning or pickling. It will take more time, but your own homemade canned green peas are an excellent alternative to store-bought ones. After all, you make it with your own hands and from proven ingredients.

For preservation, choose large, dense, mature peas without damage. Preparation with this method is extremely simple. Peas are peeled from the pods and washed under running water.

The simplest canning recipe

Here is the easiest way to preserve peas , requiring a minimum of ingredients:

1. For 1 kg of peas, take 1 liter of water and 1 tbsp. l. salt.
2. Place the washed peas in boiling water and cook for 3-5 minutes. Remove the resulting foam.
3. Drain the water and rinse the peas in warm water. If you find bursting peas, remove them, otherwise the brine will become cloudy.
4. Pour peas into sterilized 0.5 liter jars and fill with brine. Add ¼ tsp to each jar. 9% vinegar.
5. Roll up the lids, turn the jars upside down and leave to cool. After this, we put the jars in the refrigerator or cellar for storage.

Preservation recipe with citric acid

If you don't want to use vinegar, there is a good way to replace it with citric acid. For 600 g of peas you will need 1 liter of water, 10 g of citric acid, 50 g of salt and sugar:

1. Place a saucepan on the fire, pour in water, add salt and sugar to it. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
2. Pour in the peas and wait for them to boil.
3. Reducing the heat, cook for another 15–20 minutes, constantly shaking the pan. It is forbidden to stir peas, as this can crush the grains. Don't forget to remove any burst peas.
4. At the end of cooking, add citric acid.
5. Using a slotted spoon, place the peas in the jars (leaving about 1.5 cm to the top) and pour in the marinade from the same pan.
6. We roll up the jars with sterile lids and turn them over to cool. You can cover it with a blanket.

Recipe for canning whole pods

You can prepare unpeeled peas in this way. Wash them thoroughly under running water and then proceed to marinating :

1. Soak 0.5 kg of pea pods in cold water for 2 hours.
2. Drain it and add boiling water for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add 5 g of citric acid.
4. Place the pods in prepared sterile jars (vertically). Add 5 tbsp. l. salt (for all jars). Add peppercorns and a cinnamon stick to taste.
5. In a separate bowl, boil 5 tbsp. water, dissolve 3 tbsp in it. l. sugar and 400 ml of 3% acetic acid.
6. Fill the jars with peas with the prepared brine and cover with lids.
7. We send them to sterilize over low heat in boiling water for 20 minutes.
8. Now you can roll up the jars, turn them over and cover them. Store in a cellar or refrigerator.

Storage conditions and periods

Dried peas can be stored for several years if the necessary conditions are met.:

1. In a dry and dark place. Direct sunlight is not allowed.
2. Room temperature - no higher than 25 °C. Do not store dry peas over the stove.
3. The packaging must be sealed. Glass jars, plastic containers, and fabric bags are suitable. The main thing is to prevent insects from entering, otherwise the peas will have to be thrown away.
4. It is advisable to use dried peas within 1 year.

Frozen peas will keep for 8 to 10 months if:

• storage temperature from –6 to –10°С;
• Immediately after freezing, the peas are poured into bags - it is better to divide them into small portions so as not to defrost in vain, since the beneficial qualities of the product will be lost.

Canned peas can be stored for up to 2 years if:

• jars are thoroughly sterilized before being sent to the refrigerator or basement;
• temperature - from +5 to +20°C, depending on the ingredients used - vinegar in the composition increases shelf life.

What affects shelf life

The preservation of the beneficial and nutritional properties of the product depends on the following factors:

1. Product type . Can be fresh, dry, frozen and canned.
2. Quality . Undamaged, healthy beans can be stored for a long time.
3. Humidity . Requirements vary depending on the type. Typically the room should be dry.
4. Temperature . Optimal modes also differ for different types of product. In most cases a cool place is required.
5. Illumination . Regardless of the processing method, the beans should be protected from direct sun.

Useful tips

Armed with our tips, you will know how to store peas longer and what to do in unexpected situations :

1. If you decide to dry peas, place a small bag of salt in the bottom of each jar or container. This will protect it from dampness and extend its shelf life.
2. Check dry peas regularly (at least once a month) for insects. Do not rinse it; it is better to throw it away immediately, since fruits infected with insects are unsuitable for food.
3. Distribute a small amount of peas among the bags in a single layer. Then arrange them with sheets of paper. This is necessary to prevent the peas from sticking together.
4. If you find that the jars have begun to ferment, rinse the peas and transfer them to others, filling them with new brine.

Basic storage rules

Long-term storage is possible only for dry peas.

In this case, you must adhere to the following rules:

• illumination - the product is stored in a dark place;
• humidity - dampness in the room and high air humidity must be excluded;
• container - a clean glass jar or a bag made of natural fabric;
• dryness of the material - insufficiently dried peas will quickly deteriorate;
• presence of parasites - the material in which insects have infested must be discarded, since parasites are found not only outside, but also inside the beans.

Learn about pea diseases and pests.