When Did Canned Food Become Popular?

Canned food has had a long history, but it truly became popular in the early 1900s. Before this, people would preserve food in jars, but it was not a common practice. The invention of canning changed that.

In 1810, Frenchman Nicolas Appert developed the first modern canning process. Appert’s process required heating food to boiling temperatures and then sealing it in glass jars with metal lids. This method was effective in killing bacteria and preserving the food for longer periods of time.

However, Appert’s method was expensive and time-consuming. It wasn’t until 1864 that British merchant Peter Durand invented the metal can we know today. His invention used tin-plated steel cans with airtight lids secured by a key-lock system to preserve food for up to one year.

The key-lock system was improved upon in 1875 by American inventor Ezra Warner who replaced the metal lid with a soldered one that could be easily opened and closed with a can opener. This invention made canned goods much more accessible and affordable for everyday people.

The popularity of canned goods grew quickly after this point as food manufacturers began marketing their products as “convenient” and “time-saving”. Canned goods were sold everywhere from grocery stores to gas stations, making them an easy option for busy families.

Canned foods have since become an essential part of modern diets around the world, providing convenient access to nutrient-rich foods that would otherwise be too expensive or difficult to obtain fresh. Canned foods are also often fortified with vitamins and minerals, making them an even healthier choice than fresh produce in some cases.

Conclusion: Canned food became popular in the early 1900s due to improvements in canning technology that made it easier and more affordable for everyday people to purchase canned goods. Since then, canned foods have become an essential part of many diets around the world due to their convenience and nutritional value.