I opened some jars last month that were way back in my
deep bottom kitchen cabinets. I found a jar of plum jam that I
had made in 1999, which was still good. The jar lid was still sealed, and there was no sign of mold, which is the first sign of spoilage. The jam was rather strong, don't remember if I had added lemon slivers or not, but probably did since I have a large lemon tree in my back yard.

As long as it is sealed it should be good. Maybe a darker color, but still good. Speak of jelly. Does anyone have the recipe for jello jelly?? I got the recipe from a frien and can't find it now. Its good. You can put blueberries, peaches etc and is real good. Keeps in freezer. I had last jars that were over 2 yrs. old. WWould appreciate it.

My county extension office gave me the information that if the jar is still tightly sealed (you should have to use some effort to remove it and hear the vacuum break) the food is safe. (I was previously taught that one year was all that was safe on any home-canned food) It's just that the quality may be not as great with some foods. High acid foods like fruits/jams/jellies aren't likely to contain any harmful organisms like salmonella. We should store all home-canned foods in cool, dark places to keep the quality as high as possible. I would be reluctant to store low-acid foods more than a year or 18 months, but that may be also just a quality issue. I try to use/give away my jars of stuff before the year is gone simply because I need to make room for this season's goodies. (except my apricot-gooseberry jam - it's mine forever.)

Thanks for the info. Are you sure you won't part with that apricot-gooseberry jam!!!!!! sounds yummy!

Well ... all right -just one! I love your avatar -we have a fawn-colored pug, too. He's so ugly, one can't help but love him - or at least feel sorry for him! He's such a sweet companion dog, even when I'm canning.

The info I'm seeing these days is that the wax method of sealing a jar isn't the best method. (I'm the home storage specialist at church.) I use my jam and other products usually up to 4 years or so. I don't think I've ever had anything last any longer than that before it was used up!

Thank you for all of your replies. I think I might just secretly let some of these disapear when the kids are at school since I'm not even entirely sure how old they are to begin with. I really appreciate how you guys help me in just about every subject imaginable.

Hi all, I have a great recipe for canning Jar Bread. It makes 8 pints. Great Holiday gifts. Anyone interested.
MNM

lots of canned goods are saved and used for many many years without any problems, as long as the seals are intact. and it does not loose any of it's original quality. according to the extension office that has a help site active during canning season there are pantries out there with canned goods still being used from 20 years ago. when we went through my mil's old house we tossed anything dated in the 80's or older, not so much because we were worried about it's quality but because...yuk...why would someone can that??? stuff no one we knew would eat. the local manna will only accept home canned goods less than 10 years old, with good seals apparent.

OH GOODY!! I know what you mean about pugs. It's a face only a mother could love! and I love my sweet pugs personalities. That's what makes them so beautiful. They are such loving animals.