Hold the fruit in one of these solutions until you're ready to pack the fruit. Then drain the fruit well. Canning Liquids for Fruits Fruits may be canned in water, juice or a sweet syrup. The sweet syrup helps the fruit hold its shape, color and flavor but does not preserve the fruit. Directions for canning each fruit will specify the canning liquid that results in the product most like the commercially-canned product.
Most canning liquids contain sugar.
However, you may want to experiment. You may be pleased with a water, juice or lighter syrup packed product. The mixture is heated to dissolve the sugar and is kept hot until ready for use. Choose one of the syrups given in the chart below, to suit the sweetness of the fruit and your own taste. These may be used as is or diluted with water.