Chef Forum banner

Fresh vs. Canned

1K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  genemachine 
#1 ·
Is there any situation in which you think canned ingredients are just as good as fresh ones, or better?

As an example, I personally think pumpkin is always better fresh.  I can add my own sugar and have the comfort of knowing where it comes from. 

Some people like the ease of not having to puree your own pumpkin, though.  So would you sacrifice flavor for ease of use, money, etc.?
 
#4 ·
I've never tried making cherry pie with real cherries but I love the way the canned stuff tastes. I'm not really sure how I would go about doing it, anyway. Cook the cherries in a pot first?

Speaking of pumpkin, it surprises me how many people don't puree when sugar pumpkins are out. It's a lot cheaper than canned. And it's not that hard. Even I can do it. I thought this video would be helpful to anyone who doesnt know how to

 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
There's also the health concern that comes with the lining used in cans... most people are aware of BPA and avoid it in plastic containers, but aren't aware that many of the can linings contain BPA... https://www.bcpp.org/

I think tomatoes is the only ingredient that can taste better in a can... otherwise I still use cans here and there for convenience, but prefer fresh when I have the time to cook.
 
#6 ·
Anything I grew and canned myself is probably better than what I can buy in the winter.

I like a lot of the canned thai curry pastes, sauces, and pickled and fermented condiments from the mideast and asian import grocers. I don't know how to make most of them or have access to some of the ingredients.

In Spain and Portugal there are luxury lines of canned seafood. They say some are superior to fresh. Apparently they age and develop more depths of flavor. Anyone here tried any?
 
#7 ·
Totally agree on tomatoes.  No, they're NOT like road-side stand summer ones, but NOTHING I've ever bought in supermarket ended up being worth anything.

I'm firmly convinced that people who "hate" certain veggies may have only ever had them CANNED??  If the only mushrooms, peas, spinach, asparagus (and lots more) you've ever had came from a can you DO NOT have any idea what they REALLY taste like.  Only canned veggies I can think of that remotely resembles fresh (flavor & texture) are beets, imo.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Tomatoes, mushrooms and corn are often better canned than what I can get fresh in the wintertime.

Most beans are adequate, when trying to save time, however dry is better.

Beets sometimes as long as not marinated, same with roasted red peppers, mini-corn on cob, water chestnuts and bamboo shoots.

Peas, carrots, potatoes, spinach and green beans = never, better to use frozen.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top