“It would be well for us to do less cooking and to eat more fruit in its natural state. Let us teach the people to eat freely of the fresh grapes, apples, peaches, pears, berries, and all other kinds of fruit that can be obtained. Let these be prepared for winter use by canning, using glass, as far as possible, instead of tin.”Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 134 (1902), paragraph 5.
SIMPLE COOKING · FRESH FRUIT · PRESERVING
Let the fruit shine.
Explore Ellen G. White’s historical counsel on simpler cooking and seasonal fruit, alongside practical guidance for safe food preservation today.
ELLEN G. WHITE · TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH
Less cooking. More fruit in its natural state.
This passage records counsel to simplify meals and enjoy fruit in its natural state.
A RELATED PASSAGE · 1902
Enjoy fruit close to its natural form.
“The more we depend upon the fresh fruit just as it is plucked from the tree, the greater will be the blessing.”Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 126 (1902), paragraph 1.Read this passage in The Garden Table ↗
Keep choices practical
Use fruit that is available, affordable, and suitable for your needs. Fresh, frozen, and safely preserved fruit can all have a place in a practical kitchen.
Food preparation needs differ by family, culture, access, health, and season. Choose methods that are manageable and meet your household’s needs.
CURRENT FOOD-SAFETY GUIDANCE
Preserve fruit with a tested process.
Home canning can be safe when the product, jar, processing method, time, and altitude adjustments follow current tested directions. Use current tested food-safety instructions for jars, processing times, and methods.
Do not improvise processing
- Use current tested recipes from a trusted food-preservation authority.
- Follow the specified jar, headspace, processing method, time, and altitude adjustments.
- Do not assume a boiling-water process is appropriate for every food.
When a recipe or seal is uncertain, do not taste the food; consult authoritative guidance and discard products that may be unsafe.
Start with reliable instructions
The National Center for Home Food Preservation hosts tested methods and fruit-specific recipes, including apples, berries, peaches, pears, and grapes.
Use current tested procedures for the exact food you are preserving.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Cooking and preserving, plainly.
Which fruits does the passage mention?
The passage names fresh grapes, apples, peaches, pears, berries, and other available fruit.
Can I can fruit using any jar and stove?
Use the equipment and exact process named in a current tested recipe. Do not substitute containers, times, or methods without reliable guidance.
Where is the quotation in the local reader?
The passage is available on this site with its own Garden Table passage reference and original source citation.
Open the local passage ↗Where can I read more historical food counsel?
Browse the local searchable anthology and its original-publication citations.
Open The Garden Table ↗