The Lemon Juice Edition (BBB) | Chickens in the Road

Apr
7

Why do canning recipes call for bottled lemon juice instead of fresh? This is one of the frequently asked questions for new home canners. Isn’t fresh lemon juice, well, fresher, and isn’t that part of the reason we’re canning, to preserve the best, most natural, most fresh food possible to provide for our families?

The USDA recommends bottled lemon juice because of the consistency of the pH in the standardized production process. Fresh lemons may vary in pH. This is particularly important when canning low acid vegetables such as tomatoes, but not as important when canning fruits. This is why if you look in the Ball Blue Book at a stewed tomato recipe, it calls for bottled lemon juice specifically, but if you look at strawberry jam, it simply calls for lemon juice. Sometimes a recipe you find posted on the web or a hand-scrawled recipe given to you by a friend may not be as specific, so it’s important to know the difference. In a jam recipe, the lemon juice is there to help with the set while in a low acid vegetable or tomato recipe (or a recipe with a mix of ingredients that includes low acid items), the lemon juice is there to lower the pH. So go ahead, use the fresh-squeezed lemon in your fruits, but don’t forget to have the bottle on-hand for other recipes where it’s required. (You can also use 1/4 teaspoon citric acid in place of every 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice called for in a recipe, if you prefer.)

***

It’s a Ball Blue Book Project day! Today’s Ball Blue Book is sponsored by Billie at No Crack Cream. You can visit her here.

For a chance to win: Leave a comment on this post and let me know you want it. You can just put (BBB) at the end of your comment or otherwise note that you want to be in the draw. One winner will be drawn by random comment number to receive a Ball Blue Book. Eligible entry cut-off is midnight Eastern (U.S.) time tonight (April 7). This post will be updated with the winner by 9 a.m. Eastern (U.S.) time tomorrow (April 8). Return to this post to claim your book if your name is drawn (or check the BBB Winners List).

Find out more about the Ball Blue Book Project and become a sponsor.

UPDATE 04/08/11: The winning comment number, drawn by random.org, is #27, jenni. Email me at CITRgiveaways(at)yahoo.com with your full name and address for shipping!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED TO ENTRY.

More posts you might enjoy:

150 Responses
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4-7
1:08
am

Oh, the things I learn lurking here.

BBB, please.

Have a grand day and may the sun shine for you, too.

Kristen

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4-7
1:26
am

BBB, please!!

cricketjett

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4-7
1:50
am

Enter me, please!

Michelle

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4-7
2:04
am

hm, that makes sense.. Thanks!
BBB please!

zeitgewandt

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4-7
2:14
am

Thanks for the Lemon Information…I will write inside cover of BBB if I win…..Please! ~~HUGS~~

Blessing from a Wildflower

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4-7
3:34
am

You can also use bottled lime juice as a substitute for bottled lemon juice. I love it in my salsa.

Enjay

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4-7
3:34
am

I forgot to say BBB!

Enjay

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4-7
4:48
am

Who knew? Thanks for the info. Thank you to Billie too! BBB Please!

Jean - MN

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4-7
5:04
am

I love lemons such a wonderful fruit. Many thanks for the info it is really useful. Please enter me for the BBB thank you.

morningstar

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4-7
5:29
am

Learn something new every day! BBB, please.

Kathy in FL

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4-7
5:32
am

great to know..thanks for sharing..
granny trace

http://www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

Tracey In Paradise Pa.

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4-7
6:19
am

Didn’t know this. Thanks. Please enter me for the BBB.

judydee

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4-7
6:20
am

Thank You for the info BBB Please

Suzanne_Arlene

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4-7
6:24
am

Thanks for the information on lemons!!! I didn’t know that. BBB please!!

Barbie

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4-7
6:30
am

I’d love to win it!

Connie

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4-7
6:31
am

Enter me, please, for the BBB….

Trudy

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4-7
6:43
am

Oooo good info, I didn’t know that! I’ve never canned tomatoes except salsa (and Enjay, I DO use lime, you’re right, it’s delicious!) and I use the crazytart lemons from our neighbor’s tree in my jams. Sooo sour, and sooo tasty! BBB please!

Lindsay

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4-7
6:53
am

How interesting! I plan on canning for the first time this summer, and would love to be entered in the BBB giveaway!

ELS

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4-7
6:56
am

Would love a BBB!

Jana NC

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4-7
7:28
am

BBB me, please.

Rockyshore

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4-7
7:35
am

BBB Please!

Connie

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4-7
7:40
am

Interesting Lemeon Juice information. I never thought about lemons having different pH level from one lemon to another. I know that tomato varieties vary and should have know the same about lemons. BBB please

Peggy

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4-7
7:40
am

I so want the BOOK! Thanks for answering a question I also had on lemon juice. You are the best!

Kelly Jo Kirby

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4-7
7:41
am

bbb, please and thank you!!

Megan Duff

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4-7
7:54
am

Good morning Suzanne, Glad to see you survived the storms!
Please enter me for the BBB… I would love to have it!!!
Thanks!!!!

kjl

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4-7
7:56
am

I learn something new every day…BBB please!

justdeborah2002

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4-7
8:04
am

BBB please. it is a quilting day today but hopefully canning soon!

jenni

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4-7
8:10
am

Draw me! Draw me! (BBB)

Mary

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4-7
8:12
am

Ok I’m gonna give it another try…BBB.

Good to know about lemon juice too.

lilac wolf

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4-7
8:15
am

BBB please!

Hamp Girl

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4-7
8:19
am

Never canned before, but would like to try this summer. Thanks for all the information. I learn something fun & new everyday! Would love the BBB please!

windspiritwhimsies

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4-7
8:25
am

Enter me please. BBB!

langela

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4-7
8:27
am

After looking at all the delicious recipes on this site, I want to try my hand at many of them–including “putting up” some pickles this year! So of course I would love to win the BBB!

mika

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4-7
8:29
am

Its GOTTA be ME for the BBB!

Gem

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4-7
8:30
am

I’ll try to win the book, again:) Please enter my name, and thanks! Maggie

Laura Pintor

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4-7
8:31
am

That was great information. I, also, use lime juice for my salsa. BBB please!

prayingpup

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4-7
8:35
am

I’d love one of the BBB. I hope to have a bumper crop of tomatoes this year and would love to learn to can them

Jennifer Foery

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4-7
8:36
am

BBB please!

It’s a good thing to know, the lemon juice thing. I wouldn’t even have thought that lemon juice was used in canned tomatoes!

Patricialynn

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4-7
8:38
am

I had no idea, BBB

Janell

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4-7
8:40
am

BBB for me, me,me!

patrice

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4-7
8:41
am

Please enter me for the BBB!

Mary

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4-7
8:42
am

Finally an explanation that makes sense. You ARE so the tart! I really need a new BBB…mine is about 18 years old.

Shonda judy

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4-7
8:53
am

Thank you for the information on lemon ~ it was VERY helpful! BBB please?

Zusiqu

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4-7
8:56
am

I learned something new today, thanks for sharing that.
BBB pretty please.

Anke

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4-7
8:58
am

I have BBB lust.

IowaCowgirl

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4-7
9:02
am

yes, would love a BBB!

Mary

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4-7
9:03
am

Thanks for that info. I’m brand-new to canning and didn’t know that! BBB, please…

judithann

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4-7
9:04
am

Enter me in the BBB drawing please!

Cindy

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4-7
9:05
am

Would love the BBB !! Please and Thank You ..

gfoulds

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4-7
9:07
am

Who knew!? Thanks for the info! BBB please!

Rachel

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4-7
9:10
am

Me…..BBB please!

Abiga/Karen

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4-7
9:16
am

Thanks for the lemon juice lesson. BBB please!

Gerry

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4-7
9:17
am

Huh…who would have thought the Ph wouldn’t remain consistant, but I guess now that I’ve read it, it makes sense. Just like the essential oils may not be consistant in different plants of the same species. I guess it depends on how and where it’s grown? Very interesting read this morning. Thank you!

(BBB)

Lydia Gray

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4-7
9:18
am

Never knew that! I am probably sure that my mom didn’t either…I can teach her this summer! I would love to be entered in the drawing.
Thanks!

mammaleigh

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4-7
9:21
am

I think there is room in the world for both fresh and bottled lemon juice.

Just don’t give me bottled juice to go with my tea.
I’d like to be entered in the BBB, please.
Thanks.

heidiannie

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4-7
9:23
am

Good Information, thanks for sharing. BBB please

momof3inOKLA

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4-7
9:24
am

enter me please

Mim

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4-7
9:26
am

Who knew? BBB, please.

Bonnie

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4-7
9:27
am

One more try for a BBB!

Pam

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4-7
9:27
am

Hi, love your blog, you inspire me do the same, I have 1 acre an so far only a big garden and 27 chickens, hopefully I’ll keep adding!!! I would love a copy of the book, BBB!!

Vivian

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4-7
9:30
am

BBB
Okay, so are there recipes to can(bottle) your own lemon juice? lol
It will probably be another couple of years before my tree is big enough for that.
Thanks for the chance Suzanne and Billie.

ladychef68

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4-7
9:32
am

BBB please!

Jennifer S.

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4-7
9:32
am

Would love a copy of BBB…love to can and new recipes keep me excited about it!

Mountain Sunshine

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4-7
9:44
am

BBB please!

Sherri

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4-7
9:44
am

Thanks for that information. I’d like the BBB.

hollygee

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4-7
9:56
am

I, too, had always wondered about the lemon juice. I had assumed it was so you could measure consistently, but I hadn’t thought about Ph.

And I really hope this time is my chance to win! BBB

Jennifer B

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4-7
9:56
am

BBB Pleeeeez!

Tina

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4-7
10:01
am

Please pick ME for the BBB!!!

Sheepie-girl

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4-7
10:09
am

BBB I need a new book.
You are a wealth of knowledge!!! Thanks

Lori Dunn

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4-7
10:10
am

I’m going to keep trying for a BBB until I get one! Love this site! It’s my daily dose of HAPPY!

Debbie

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4-7
10:14
am

BBB please, I would love this book!

Donna I.

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4-7
10:16
am

Would love a chance to win the BBB! Thanks for all of your useful information

Lynette

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4-7
10:17
am

Include me in the BBB drawing!

Christina Bredenkamp

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4-7
10:25
am

I want it

Hilary

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4-7
10:28
am

Good info! BBB please!

Laurie

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4-7
10:28
am

Luscious lemons! Sign me up for the BBB, please!

Ruth C

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4-7
10:43
am

Good info, as always…enter me please!

Crystal George

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4-7
10:46
am

I’m always learning something at CITR. Thank you! Oh, and BBB please.

LeAnn

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4-7
10:49
am

Alwalys learning here! BBB Please!!!!

AnnieB

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4-7
10:51
am

Thanks for the lemon info…who knew?
And thanks to Billie…BBB please!!!

brookdale

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4-7
10:52
am

Oh please, please pick me for a BBB!!!

Nadeanne

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4-7
10:54
am

BBB, please.

Kat J, Arizona

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4-7
10:58
am

I’ve never heard that, good to know…. I guess I do need a BBB!

Nancy Stickler

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4-7
11:00
am

Good info. Enter me in the bbb please

chives

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4-7
11:08
am

well, this is didn’t know, so thanks for telling me this Suzanne. it’s very interesting and a good thing to know. thanks to Billie for sponsoring this giveaway! BBB!

Miss Becky

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4-7
11:13
am

What a great tip! I did not know there was a difference. I always have citric acid on hand, thank you. BBB

Diane

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4-7
11:16
am

I’d like a BBB.

Ramona

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4-7
11:16
am

Please put me in the BBB drawing. Thanks.
MN MONA

Ramona Slocum

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4-7
11:18
am

BBB Please pick ME!!!

Trica in TEXAS

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4-7
11:26
am

I always learn so much on this website. Thanks for the info on lemon juice!& please enter me in the BBB drawing. Thanks!

Terri - LA

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4-7
11:32
am

Please enter me in the BBB drawing, thanks!!

Betsy

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4-7
11:36
am

Thanks for the information. I would love the BBB.
Need to learn more !

Alison

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4-7
11:42
am

BBB Please=]

geena22

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4-7
11:48
am

pleas enter me in the BBB

marymac

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4-7
11:50
am

That’s pretty interesting. I did not know. BBB

Merino Mama

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4-7
12:18
pm

Would like to be entered for BBB! Please!
>^.^<

Bebop

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4-7
12:22
pm

Great post. I would love to have the BBB.

CrystalGB

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4-7
12:40
pm

ME ME ME!!! BB PLEAS!!!

Carmell

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4-7
12:41
pm

BBB …..

Carmell

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4-7
1:06
pm

Thanks for the info. (BBB)

Mindy W.

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4-7
1:10
pm

Interesting. I love the “science” of cooking. Please enter me in the drawing for the BBB!

Sharon Dziekonski

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4-7
1:12
pm

I usually use citric acid just to be sure. Now I know why! BBB please. Thanks!

Carol in NC

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4-7
1:12
pm

Yes, BBB please!

Richelle

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4-7
1:16
pm

BBB Please!

Sam

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4-7
1:17
pm

BBB please!

Jeannie

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4-7
1:19
pm

Ah, so that’s why. Thanks! BBB please!

Debbie R

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4-7
1:23
pm

BBB Please!
I saw the Lemon Chess Pie post earlier today and am determined to try it soon. I might even take some of it out to my son and family. Maybe.

Pam

GrammieEarth

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4-7
1:30
pm

bbb please

Melanie

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4-7
1:38
pm

Thanks for the info! I had no idea. BBB Please

Ashlee

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4-7
1:40
pm

please enter me for a BBB.

Janice Jewett

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4-7
1:58
pm

I love all the recipes. Especially the hints or tips, like using citric acid instead of lemon juice. But I really, really enjoy all the animal pictures…and the fact that they talk to you. You are so lucky. BBB please.

Susan in Wisconsin

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4-7
2:01
pm

BBB, please!

GaPeach

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4-7
2:02
pm

Wow, I have learned SO MUCH about canning from this webite in the last year or so. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge
I’d love to be entered for the BBB, please

Amy Jane

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4-7
2:19
pm

BBB Please!

Tracy Byers

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4-7
2:30
pm

Interesting . I like lemons. And I want a BBB! Maybe this year I can do some canning stuff .

Pam C in Canada

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4-7
2:40
pm

I love this site thank you I have made the no-kneed bread weekly since you posted it my family loves it! BBB

Rebecca Sutherland

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4-7
3:13
pm

BBB Please.

WolfWalker

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4-7
3:19
pm

Hi Suzanne, please enter me in the BBB.
Thanks,
Mary

Mary Hall

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4-7
3:46
pm

Thank you. I have wondered about that. BBB please.

Rosemeri

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4-7
4:26
pm

Mmm. I love lemons.

BBB please

ktlovespie

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4-7
4:35
pm

Please, Please BBB.

Glenie

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4-7
5:09
pm

BBB, Please

Amy

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4-7
5:09
pm

I learn so much from this site. Keep up the excellent work!!
BBB please.

Pat

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4-7
5:22
pm

More often than not, I use bottled lemon juice in just about everything calling for “fresh” lemon juice! BBB

Karen

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4-7
5:27
pm

Didn’t know that. I always use fresh lemon juice. Guess that’s why I need the BBB.

Here’s what I like to do with lemon juice.
http://kitchenscoop.com/blog/we-love-marthas-lemon-chicken.-you-will-too/

Martha in KS

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4-7
5:40
pm

BBB, please.

Lee in KY

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4-7
6:04
pm

I always use the jar of lemon juice for my canned tomatoes, but my elderly neighbor tells me that the reason the pH is so low in tomatoes is because we’ve bred it out the them. According to her, back when everyone used heirlooms, they didn’t add any acid to their jars. BBB please!

LisaAJB

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4-7
6:06
pm

BBB Please

tami

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4-7
6:19
pm

I feel lucky. BBB please!!

annabel52

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4-7
6:59
pm

BBB please!!!

Kristine

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4-7
7:18
pm

BBB Pretty please.

oddgirl

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4-7
7:23
pm

I would love the BBB! Thanks for the opportunity.

Kathleen H in Indiana

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4-7
7:37
pm

I would love to have it.

peggy miller

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4-7
7:59
pm

Thanks for the info Suzanne! Please enter me in the BBB. Please. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Linda Goble

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4-7
8:15
pm

Pick me, Pick me, BBB Please.

Barbara W

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4-7
8:16
pm

BBB please!

Rachel

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4-7
8:52
pm

Thanks for sharing. I didn’t realize there was such a difference between fresh vs bottled; I just knew that some recipes were very specific about which you should use. BBB, pls!

Renee

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4-7
9:12
pm

I’m glad to see that I am not the only one who didn’t this! BBB please.

Mafong

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4-7
9:37
pm

please enter me

Laura Newton

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4-7
10:07
pm

I always learn something new here! Enter me please! BBB!!!

Robyn

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4-7
10:14
pm

BBB please

Barbara at AtLast

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4-7
10:21
pm

BBB please

Teresa

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4-7
10:27
pm

BBB please!

BethAnn

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4-7
10:46
pm

Thanks, Billie and of course, Suzanne for the chance to win the BBB.

SuzzyQ

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4-7
10:57
pm

BBB PLEASE!!

Jennifer Mossman

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4-7
11:48
pm

I have been loving this site and have always wanted to try canning but have never been brave enough..haha. Thanks for all the good info
BBB drawing–thank you so much

Trina

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4-8
12:05
am

BBB Book please

jim

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4-8
12:37
am

BBB me please!

farmershae

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4-8
7:44
am

Thanks Suzann,
I’m one who likes to know “Why”. Now I do! BBB please

Sally

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4-8
9:15
am

The winning comment number, drawn by random.org, is #27, jenni.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED TO ENTRY.

Suzanne McMinn

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