Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for sending me a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. 

 

The Preserving Answer Book is a Q&A style reference guide on food preservation that covers canning (both the boiling water and pressure methods), drying, infusing, fermenting, freezing, and refrigeration. 

 

This book, as the author explains, is not intended to be an exhaustive, step-by-step overview for all food preservation processes for all types of food. Instead, the author aims to answer the most frequently asked questions she’s received or come across during her experience. [As a side note, if anyone does know of an excellent, comprehensive, step-by-step resource for specific food preservation methods, please let me know. I would love to expand my reading selections.] In the ARC copy I received, the author also encourages readers to contact her if they have a question not answered in the book - a feature I’m grateful for, even if I don’t currently have any food preservation questions. 

 

This book is definitely geared for the beginner food preserver, especially those who are first-time or inexperienced canners. There is a wealth of useful information in this book and I will definitely be adding a reference copy to my kitchen library. From my quite limited experience with home food preservation (which has focused only on drying, freezing, and refrigeration), I found almost all of the questions and respective answers in each section helpful. 

 

The Q&A format is handy, even if some of the questions were similar and many of the answers repeated information (although, since almost all of the repeat information was about safety, I’m glad it was easily accessible throughout the book for those that won’t read it cover to cover like I did). I also loved the focus on buying, eating, and preserving local food culture and how the author recommends visiting local farmers’ markets and/or U-picks for those who want to preserve their own food but don’t have the availability to garden and grow their own. 

 

However, most of the information is focused on the two different canning methods and I do wish there had been more detailed instructions on the other food preservation methods. There’s still enough information to cover the basics, but I will need to search out more detailed guides when I’m ready to advance. 

 

Even if you are not interested in canning, I think you would still find this book useful for getting the most out of your groceries and preventing food waste. The Preserving Answer Book includes both the “how” and “why” of food preservation, not just the steps of each process, and gives definitions for specific terms (such as the difference between “dicing” and “mincing” and what constitutes a “jelly” versus a “jam”). There’s also information on essential kitchen equipment and kitchen tips you might not think of, like how to properly thaw frozen foods. 

 

Thank you again to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the privilege of reviewing an ARC.