Anyone Ever Canned Cactus Tea

[brokedownpalace10]

I hope I haven't asked this before, but just as the title says.
I have a bunch of PC cactus in boxes in the basement and I figure I'd better prepare and store it some way so it doesn't mold.
It's PC, so little mucilage

So, I boiled up a batch and, while still boiling hot, poured it into a quart mason jar. Do you think I can store this without refrigeration?

I'm planning short term storage for now, but I wonder about this for a long term storage option.

The lid just "popped".

Any experience or thoughts?

 

[antichode]

Yes absolutely I’ve done this a lot. Especially if you have a pressure cooker, it works well and I have a few vintages stored in this way

I think ultimately it’s quicker to slice, dry and powder the cactus for storage as it takes you a step closer to pure crystal but sometimes the tea is called for and it’s nice to have it on hand for those moments.

 

[antichode]

If you’re unfamiliar with canning then a good way to make sure you don’t store something dangerous is to add a little citric acid and lower the ph to below 4.2. Not much grows below that. Then can the jars at 15 psi for 15 minutes or so. Let it de-pressurise on its own and cool completely before moving the jars.

Good lids make all the difference too. Some lids do not handle the pressure very well and if they bend or kink they never seal properly and you lose a lot of tea I to your cooker. Get some good ones!

 

[shroombee]

So, I boiled up a batch and, while still boiling hot, poured it into a quart mason jar. Do you think I can store this without refrigeration?

I'm planning short term storage for now, but I wonder about this for a long term storage option.

I think the tea will mold unless it’s canned properly using a pressure cooker.

 

[Transform]

I've kept tea for years by adding alcohol to at least 20% ABV. It matures surprisingly nicely!

 

[brokedownpalace10]

Thanks a lot for all the input all. I've been cooking up a bit every morning and just pouring it into jars boiling hot.
When I get it all done and combined, and ready to put it into smaller jars for longer term storage, I'll add some vinegar and do a boiling water bath. I don't have a pressure cooker.

Data point for now. If you just put it it mason jars boiling hot, it will keep for a week or two anyway just fine. Thus, I've found it handy for the repeated settling and decanting I'm doing. No need for refrigeration.

My cactus is fairly low mucilage to begin with and I boil for a long time initially so that what there is congeals together.
I've put up jars of just blended cactus and water boiled together for a couple weeks, though. So I do think that it won't mold long enough to settle and/or extract regardless.