How to make heavy syrup to can peaches?

Canning peaches is a great way to preserve summer’s bounty to enjoy all year round. While peaches can be canned in water or juice, many people prefer to can them in syrup. A heavy syrup contains more sugar, which helps the peaches hold their shape and develops a richer, sweeter flavor. Learning how to make heavy syrup for canning peaches ensures you’ll end up with tender, flavorful results.

What is Heavy Syrup?

Heavy syrup is a sugary liquid used for canning fruits to help them retain their shape, color, and flavor. The term “heavy” refers to the high ratio of sugar to water. Heavy syrup for canning contains approximately 55% sugar dissolved in water. This produces a thick, sweet liquid that permeates the fruit during processing.

The exact ingredients and ratios for heavy syrup may vary slightly among recipes, but generally contain:

  • 4 to 5 cups of granulated white sugar
  • 4 cups water

This creates a syrup that is sweeter than light or medium syrups used for low-sugar or low-calorie canning recipes. The higher sugar content helps canned peaches become saturated with flavor and glucose. This allows the peaches to retain their shape and texture instead of shrinking down or becoming overly soft.

Benefits of Canning Peaches in Heavy Syrup

Canning peaches in heavy sugar syrup offers several advantages over other preservation methods:

  • Enhanced flavor – The higher sugar content permeates the peaches with sweetness.
  • Better texture – Heavy syrup helps peaches maintain a firm, plump texture.
  • Retained shape – Peaches canned in heavy syrup will hold their shape rather than shrinking down.
  • Bright color – The high sugar content keeps peaches looking colorful and vibrant.
  • Versatile – Peaches canned in heavy syrup can be used in desserts, baking, sauces, and more.

The extra sugar in heavy syrup provides an environment that prevents the peaches from breaking down. This results in tender, sweet peaches that hold up better in pies, jams, sauces, and other applications. While you pay a price for the added sugar, the trade-off is premium quality peaches all year long.

Choosing Peaches for Canning in Heavy Syrup

To get the best results from heavy syrup canning, start with ripe, high-quality peaches. Look for peaches that are:

  • Tree-ripened rather than commercially harvested green
  • Firm with a bright, even color
  • Heavy for their size and free of blemishes
  • Fragrant with a sweet aroma

Ripe yet firm peaches hold up best during the canning process. Avoid bruised or overripe peaches, which will become mushy when canned.

Select peaches within 2-3 days of canning and refrigerate them if you won’t be preserving them right away. For the most control over ripeness, consider picking your own peaches at a local orchard. Choose fruit that is ripe but still firm to the touch.

How to Make Heavy Syrup for Canning Peaches

Making heavy syrup is a simple process involving just sugar and water. Here is an easy heavy syrup recipe along with step-by-step instructions:

Ingredients:

  • 5 cups white granulated sugar
  • 4 cups water

Instructions:

  1. Combine sugar and water in a large saucepan. Stir to dissolve sugar.
  2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
  3. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes until clear.
  4. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before canning.
  5. Pour hot syrup over raw packed peaches in jars leaving 1/2″ headspace.
  6. Process filled jars in a water bath canner according to your altitude.

For a lighter heavy syrup, reduce the sugar to 4 1/2 cups. For an extra-heavy syrup, increase to 5 1/2 cups sugar.

Always use clean, filtered water to prevent off-flavors. The sugar helps the syrup thicken slightly as it cooks. Simmering for a few minutes dissolves any residual sugar crystals.

Let the syrup cool down enough prior to filling jars so it does not crack the glass. Then pour the hot syrup over raw pack peaches for the best results.

Step-by-Step Canning Peaches in Heavy Syrup

Once you have made your batch of heavy syrup, follow these steps for properly canned peaches:

Preparing the Peaches

  1. Sort peaches, discarding any that are overly soft or bruised.
  2. Wash peaches in cool water.
  3. Peel peaches if desired by blanching in boiling water for 30-60 seconds.
  4. Cut peeled peaches in half and remove the pit.
  5. Slice halves into desired shape – halves, chunks or slices.

You do not necessarily need to peel peaches. Canning them unpeeled will help hold their shape better through processing. But leaving the skin on does make the peaches harder to eat out of hand.

Filling the Jars

  1. Pack peeled, pitted, sliced peaches into clean mason jars. Raw pack peaches tightly into jars.
  2. Pour prepared heavy syrup over peaches leaving 1/2″ headspace.
  3. Release air bubbles by sliding a chopstick around the inside of the jar.
  4. Wipe rims clean and apply lids and bands to finger tip tightness.

Use a spouted measuring cup or ladle to pour syrup over the fruit. Topping peaches with hot syrup helps force out any trapped air bubbles. Keeping the proper 1/2 inch headspace prevents siphoning during canning.

Processing the Jars

  1. Place filled jars on the rack in your water bath canner.
  2. Ensure jars are covered by at least 1-2 inches of water.
  3. Bring water to a boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Once boiling, start your processing timer based on your altitude.
  5. Allow jars to process for the complete recommended time at a rolling boil.
  6. Carefully remove jars from canner and let cool undisturbed for 12-24 hrs.
  7. Check seals, then store properly cleaned jars in a cool, dark place.

Consult a canning guide or recipe to determine appropriate processing times based on your location. Standard processing times range from 20-25 minutes for pints and 25-30 minutes for quarts.

How to Use Canned Peaches in Heavy Syrup

Once canned, peaches in heavy syrup can be used in any recipe calling for peaches. The thick syrup acts as a natural sauce blending beautifully into baked goods, jams, sauces, and more.

Popular ways to use heavy syrup canned peaches:

  • Eat peaches straight from the jar as a snack or dessert
  • Serve peaches and syrup spooned over ice cream, cake, or waffles
  • Make peach pies, cobblers, crisps, or bread puddings
  • Blend into smoothies, shakes, or cocktails
  • Swirl peaches and syrup into yogurt, cottage cheese, or oatmeal
  • Fold into pancake batter before cooking
  • Whisk into vinaigrettes, glazes, and sugary sauces
  • Puree peaches and syrup for freezer jam or peach butter
  • Make peach melba by serving peaches over vanilla ice cream with raspberry sauce

The uses for heavy syrup canned peaches are endless! they make an easy anytime dessert and lend a sweet, summery flavor to meals year-round.

Tips for Successful Canning in Heavy Syrup

Follow these tips to ensure safely canned peaches with an ideal texture and flavor:

  • Use ripe, unblemished peaches near their peak ripeness
  • Work in small batches of 5-6 jars at a time
  • Fill jars with raw pack fruit and hot syrup leaving proper headspace
  • Remove air bubbles by sliding a chopstick around the inside of jars before lidding
  • Wipe jar rims clean before sealing
  • Process filled jars using current USDA-approved canning methods
  • Let jars fully cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours before checking seals
  • Store properly sealed jars in a cool, dark place around 50°F to 60°F

Adhering to these best practices will yield evenly sliced peaches that hold their shape beautifully when canned in heavy syrup. Jars should seal properly with minimal floating fruit or discoloration.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Heavy syrup is effective at keeping peaches looking and tasting their best, but there are a few potential pitfalls. Follow these troubleshooting tips:

Cloudy Syrup

Overcooking the syrup can cause it to crystallize and turn cloudy. Bring the sugar and water just to a boil when making simple syrups to avoid this.

Floating Fruit

This happens when peaches are underripe or too loosely packed. Use ripe fruit and press peaches firmly into the jars.

Discoloration

Iron and copper pots can react with acids in peaches, causing browning. Use stainless steel or enameled pots and utensils.

Mushy Texture

Underprocessing peaches can lead to spoilage and softening. Follow proper canning times and methods.

Molded Fruit

This may occur if headspace is too wide or rims weren’t wiped clean. Check for mistakes before placing lids.

Failed Seals

Improper headspace, low processing time, or older lids can prevent jars from sealing. Always follow current best practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should peaches be canned in water or syrup?

Peaches are best canned in syrup to retain their texture and flavor. Heavy syrup is recommended for maximum sweetness but light or medium syrups also work. Canning in water will lead to blander results.

How long does canned fruit in heavy syrup last?

Properly canned peaches in heavy syrup can last 12-18 months stored in a cool, dark place. Over time, the color may fade but the safety and flavor should remain if jars stay sealed.

Can you use artificial sweeteners to make heavy syrup for canning?

No, splenda and other sugar substitutes are not stable enough at canning temperatures. Only use white granulated cane sugar to make syrup for home canning.

What’s the difference between light, medium, and heavy syrup?

The concentration of sugar distinguishes light, medium, and heavy:

Type Sugar Water
Light 2 cups 4 cups
Medium 3 cups 4 cups
Heavy 4-5 cups 4 cups

Should you refrigerate canned peaches in heavy syrup after opening?

Once jars are opened, they should be stored in the fridge and used within 1-2 weeks. The higher sugar content makes heavy syrup fruit more prone to spoilage when exposed to air.

Conclusion

Canning peaches in heavy syrup requires minimal time while producing maximum results. The high sugar content preserves the bright, fresh flavors of summer to enjoy year-round. Now that you know how to make and use heavy syrup, you can reap the benefits of canned peaches anytime you like. From snacks to baked goods to sauces, heavy syrup peaches bring sweetness to any recipe.

Leave a Comment