Melba's Jammin' wrote:

> In article >, "David J. Braunegg"
> > wrote:
>
>
>> The Bolton Fair (Massachusetts) was September 25-26. My results:
>>
>> 1st--Blackberry Jam
>>
>> 2nd--Blueberry Jam 2nd--Peach Jam 2nd--Gift Pack: 3 jars of jam in
>> a decorated basket or box (blackberry, raspberry (seedless), peach)
>>
>>
>> 3rd--Raspberry Jam (seedless) 3rd--6 Jars of Jam (blackberry,
>> blueberry, raspberry (seedless))
>>
>> Nothing for the strawberry jam, which I knew was too runny. The
>> judge always wants a lot of "slippage" and I overshot the mark.
>
>
> Congratulations, Dave!! Good on you. Where'd you get your fruit?
> Grow it, pick it, farmers market, supermarket?
>
> It's fun to see the different categories -- the Gift Pack thing is
> interesting to me.
>
>
>> The judge also wants the headspace down to the glass ring below the
>> threads on the jar (~1/2 inch of headspace). She claims that this
>> is the new USDA regulation. Anybody hear of this?
>
>
> Nope.
>
>
>> (Anything with 1/8" headspace did not receive a ribbon.)
>
> I think jellies used to say 1/8", jams 1/4".
>
> How about 1/4". That's the info on the NCHFP site.
> http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/can_07/prep_jam_jelly.html
>
>
>> Dave


I use 1/4" headspace for jams and jellies, and a scant 1/2" for
tomatoes, salsa, pickles, etc. And a generous 1/2" for meat.

Bob