chutney - how long will it keep now ?

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chutney - how long will it keep now ?
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ralphman

Joined: 06 Feb 2012
Posts: 22

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 12 11:31 pm Post subject: chutney - how long will it keep now ?

i made some apple,onion & balsamic vinegar chutney today and have filled sterilised jars. once the lids were on (they have the safety button in the centre) i simmered them until the safety button retracted(cant pop it in and out) to how they are when you buy them from a shop.

my question is how long will they now keep for? i know normally things keep for 3/4 months but will they now keep alot longer by doing this

any help will be great

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18416

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 12 11:33 pm Post subject:
I've kept chutney for a couple of years (at least) and it has been fine. The sugar and vinegar help preserve it, plus the heat and the airtight seal.

earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 12 11:39 pm Post subject:
In this house, it'd last a few weeks But, like Gil, I've re-discovered 2 yr old chutney lurking at the back of a shelf and it's been fine. EV

ralphman

Joined: 06 Feb 2012
Posts: 22

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 12 11:47 pm Post subject:
ah thanks for that, do you normally do the jars as i have done or not bother with the simmering part ? the 1st jar i put the hot chutney into the hot jar and it cracked...what did i do ? the next three jars i cooled alittle and put a metal spoon in the jar while filling any tips please sam

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 12 12:20 am Post subject:
Put the jars in a cold oven, bring up to sterilising heat (140C ?) leave for 10 mins and fill jars when both jars and chutney are hot. Last edited by vegplot on Wed Feb 08, 12 9:39 am; edited 1 time in total

ralphman

Joined: 06 Feb 2012
Posts: 22

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 12 1:17 am Post subject:
arh i consulted google and did jars at 180 so maybe they were too hot

Midland Spinner

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 2931
Location: Under a green roof

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 12 8:57 am Post subject:

I've never bothered with simmering the jars - I just sterilise them in the oven like Vp said, then pour the chutney in while it and the jars are still warm. I boil the lids in water for 10 mins and allow them to air dry. Then I lid the jars while still piping hot. Usually find that the buttons pop down from that. If not, I eat those jars first.

Chutney doesn't really mature for the first few months. Should keep for at least a year (probably more - vinegar is a good preservative). Some chutneys are pretty boring when first made, but come into their own after a year or two hidden at the back of the cupboard.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 12 2:19 pm Post subject:
We're still lucky enough to be wading through FIL's bean chutney mountain that we inherited. He's been dead five years, or so. And he didn't make a batch the year he died.

ralphman

Joined: 06 Feb 2012
Posts: 22

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 12 3:55 pm Post subject:
thanks for all that useful info, ive made pear,blackberry & elderberry jam before but it never lasts longer than a few months(getting eaten quickly i mean), so its handy to know tha chutney will last as only oh will be eating it

btp

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 263
Location: summerseat, lancs

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 12 12:15 am Post subject:
hi when making chutney purchase a vinegar that has an acidity above 5% your chutneys will keep for years providing you have used the right amount of sugar and vinegar cheers btp

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 12 8:00 am Post subject:

gil wrote:

I've kept chutney for a couple of years (at least) and it has been fine.

Same here.

oldish chris

Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 4148
Location: Comfortably Wet Southport

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 12 8:17 am Post subject:

Mary-Jane wrote:

gil wrote:

I've kept chutney for a couple of years (at least) and it has been fine.

Same here.

I'm of the opinion that chutney needs to be kept for three months in order to taste at its best.

oldish chris

Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 4148
Location: Comfortably Wet Southport

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 12 8:19 am Post subject:

ralphman wrote:

the 1st jar i put the hot chutney into the hot jar and it cracked...what did i do ?
sam

actually, that surprises me, most modern glass jars can take that kind of shock. I've never had a problem filling ambient jars with almost boiling chutney or jam.

Luath

Joined: 03 Dec 2009
Posts: 761

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 12 9:40 am Post subject:
Some of mine is 5 years + and gets better with age.

nancyrowina

Joined: 16 Jun 2012
Posts: 20
Location: IOW

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 12 12:08 pm Post subject:
I've read 6 years as long it's the right amount of vinegar and sugar, but I've never had any last that long yet.

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