FOOD TECHNOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Headspace is the space in the jar between the inside of the lid and the top of the food or its liquid. Headspace will vary from ¼-inch for jams and jelly, ½-inch for tomatoes, to 1 to 1¼-inches for meat and poultry. Always follow recipe guidelines.

Detailed explanation-2: -If too little headspace is left, food may boil up and out of the jar, preventing a seal. If too much headspace is left, the processing time may be inadequate to drive off the oxygen within the jar, preventing the seal from forming.”

Detailed explanation-3: -If too much headspace is allowed, the food at the top is likely to discolor. Also, the jar may not seal properly because there will not be enough processing time to drive all air out of the jar.

Detailed explanation-4: -A gross headspace of 1/4 inch in a metal container results in a net headspace considerably less than 1/4 inch due to the counter sink of the container lid. Headspace is customarily measured in 1/32 of an inch.