inblikken

Inblikken is a Dutch verb that refers to the process of preserving food by sealing it in a tin can or metal container. The term combines blik, meaning can or tin, with the prefix in-, indicating placing or enclosing something inside the container. The action is synonymous with canning and is used in both industrial production and home food preservation.

Historically, canning emerged in the early 19th century as a method to extend the shelf life of perishable foods. In Dutch-speaking contexts, the verb inblikken became common to describe the completed packaging stage—filling clean cans with prepared food, sealing the containers, and, in many cases, sterilizing or heat-treating them to ensure preservation. Today, inblikken is most often encountered in production settings, food industry literature, and domestic canning manuals.

Process and usage: the basic steps involve preparing the food, selecting appropriately sized cans, filling the cans, sealing them airtight, and applying heat treatment to destroy microorganisms. The term can be used both for vegetables, fruits, meat, and prepared meals intended for long-term storage. In everyday language, speakers may refer to the act of canning as inblikken when discussing recipes, agricultural produce, or food preservation practices.

Related terms include conserveren in blik (to preserve in a can) and canning in English. While inblikken is primarily linked to food packaging, its exact usage can vary by region and industry, with some contexts favoring more general phrases like inblikken in plaats van canning. Overall, it is a specialized term rooted in the vocabulary of food preservation.