The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-08-23
.ow to Judge the
"Good Buy" in
Cannen Goods
BY eIppY BYE.

Do you know HOW to buy canned
goods, Madame?
Do you buy It by the pretty pic
ture on the can? Or by the brand
the trademark of the MANUFACTURER?
or by the weight of the can?-or by
the price OF the can according in size?
Are you unconsciously careless
and extravagant shopper for canned
goods,-or can you tell whats
what there as well as in buying
other foods?
Most OF US must plead guilty to
both ignorance and carlessness in
our investments in canned foods.
But there are certain standards Of
weight and quality which every
housewife can learn and which she
should demand.
These standards have been deter
mined by food experts, who have
spent months in research and in
vestigation. One woman, Miss Flor
ence Corbett. of Teachers College,
Columbia University. has published
a bulletin regarded as authority on
the subject. It's title is Canned
Foods, Fruits. and Vegetables'-and
here are some of its valuable lessons.
What determines the quality. which
packers of canned goods use in grad
ing their product?
1. Fruits and vegetables grown in
northern states are considered sup
erior for canning because they are
firmer in te!fIre and stand up" bet
ter.
2. Fruits are graded high accord
ing to their size. Vegetables are
graded the reverse-the smaller.
juicier and more tender they are the
higher the grade.
s. Fine texture is mark of high
grade. Tough fruits and vegetables
grade low.
!. 4 Fruits and vegetables which best
retain their natural color after cook
ing are graded highest, also those
which are canned whole, or cut In
halves.
8. Fruits packed in water grade
lowest and are marked pie fruit"
Those packed in sirups are graded
according to the quality-the leaves
uncut, and without much liquid.
In opening any canned goods 1t
should be examined at once as to
standard weight and quality. A lit
tie experimenting and study with the
different size and brands of canned
goods will soon prove to the hohe-
wife which are the "best buys"
Both fruits and vegetables hon
estly canned should show FULL cans.
Any considerable space between the
contents and the top of the can low
ers the grade and value Of the pro-
duct. Weigh all canned goods on
home scales to be sure It conforms
with the weight stamped on the can.
II 1t does not report 1t to the grocer
or the local bureau of weights and
measures. together with the name OF
the packer. To be sure weigh 1t on
the grocers' own scales II there IS
doubt of your own.
Any excess Of liquid in canned pro-
ducts indicates inferior goods.
Canned peas should be Of medium
size, firm in texture, not too green
in color, and immersed in a clear
looking liquid. Many yellowish look
ing peas indicates inferior quality.
Lima beans should be small, and Of
good color and texture.
Canned corn should be packed
firmly and without much liquid.
Spinach should be packed whole.
Canned tomatoes OF good quality
will be practically whole and cooked
in their own Juice.
When large fruits are canned
whole or in halves. choose neither
the largest nor the smallest-but the
medium size. Fruit in large pieces
are few to the tin. Peach slices. and
pineapple cubes and chips are more
economical than the fruits in large
pieces.