Salsa Gone Bad

Hello all,

It seems our batch of salsa we made this year has lost its “fresh salsa” smell and taste. I fear it has gone bad. The first jars tasted a bit lemony as the recipe called for lemon juice. However I opened a jar a few days ago and something didn’t seem quite right. The seal was still strong so I am not sure what could have happened. I popped a second jar and that one didn’t smell quite right either. I’m assuming best practice would be to discard the remaining jars, but thought I’d ask here just in case there’s hope. I did eat some and feel fine. However I’d rather not push my luck.

I have a pH tester so I could check the pH of that would be of any use?

Take Care!

I think it's inevitable that the taste will change when you can the salsa, and that it won't taste as fresh.  As long you added the proper amount of lemon juice (2T/quart is what I add) your salsa is fine.  

My bulk salsa recipe calls for 1/4 cup of lime juice for 32 large tomatoes, 6 large onions, 4 garlic flowers, 2 large cans of tomato paste, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1-2 cups of chopped jalapeño peppers, 1/4 cup cumin seeds, salt to taste, and large bunches of parsley and cilantro.  It is recommended one add freshly chopped cilantro and perhaps onion or garlic to liven it up, but I have not found it necessary.  I would think 2 tablespoons of lemon juice per jar would be excessive and definitely affect the taste.  With pressure canning, I suspect the quality of the initial ingredients will determine how well the flavours endure, but it is always possible to add fresh ingredients.  I have not, in  40 years, experienced salsa that went bad.  And the pressure canning is 5 pounds for 10 minutes, which I have at times wondered is enough, but have not experienced any problems.  I just love cracking open a jar and eating it with a spoon.  I feel like I'm eating my vitamins and enjoying it!  

Salsa definitely changes flavor once canned and over time. For one thing it becomes much less spicy. I think that testing the ph would be a good idea. The flavor might have just changed in a way that you don't like.