_Why are pickles soft or slippery?_
This generally results from microbial action which causes spoilage. Once
a pickle becomes soft it cannot be made firm again. Microbial activity
may be caused by
--Too little salt or acid
--Cucumbers not covered with brine during fermentation
--Scum not removed from brine during fermentation
--Insufficient heat treatment
--Seal is not airtight
--Moldy garlic or spices
Blossoms, if not removed from the cucumbers before fermentation, may
contain fungi or yeasts responsible for enzymatic softening.
_Why are pickles shriveled?_
--Using too strong a vinegar, sugar or salt solution at the start of
the pickling process. In making the very sweet or very
sour pickles, it is best to start with a dilute solution
and increase gradually to the desired strength
--Overcooking
--Overprocessing
_Why are pickles dark?_
--Use of ground spices
--Too much spice
--Whole spices left in jar
--Iodized salt
--Minerals in water, especially iron
--Overcooking
_What causes garlic to turn purple or blue?_
--Garlic contains anthocyanins, a water soluble pigment also found in
beets. This changes color very easily and with the acid
condition in pickles, turns blue or purple in color
_How can you tell if sauerkraut is spoiled?_
--Undesirable color
--Off odors
--Soft texture
_Why does kraut get soft?_
--Insufficient salt
--Too high temperatures during fermentation
--Uneven distribution of salt
--Air pockets caused by improper packing
_Why does kraut get pink?_
This is caused by growth of certain types of yeast on the surface of the
kraut due to:
--Too much salt
--Uneven distribution of salt
--Kraut improperly covered or weighted during fermentation
_Why does kraut turn dark?_
--Unwashed and improperly trimmed cabbage
--Insufficient juice to cover fermenting cabbage
--Uneven distribution of salt
--Exposure to air
--Long storage period
--High temperature during fermentation, processing and storage
For Further Reading:
_Making Pickles and Relishes at Home_, H&G Leaflet #92, on sale by
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402. 45¢.