Anne James

Anne James—lovingly known as Jelly Grandma—is a professional canner, seasoned home cook, and lifelong preserver of traditional Southern skills. With over 55 years of hands-on experience in canning, gardening, cooking, and quilting, Anne brings generations of wisdom to every guide she writes.
Featured in both local media and by national brands like Hershey, Anne now shares her knowledge through PreservingSweetness.com and her YouTube channel, helping others rediscover the “old ways” of living well and making things from scratch.

Several-Bags-of-Bulk-Beans

Best Beans for Long-Term Storage (And How to Choose the Right Ones)

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. If you’ve ever stocked a pantry with long-term storage in mind, chances are you’ve …

How-Long-Food-Lasts-in-Mylar-Chart

Mylar vs. Plastic Storage for Rice and Beans: What Actually Works Best?

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. If you’re serious about long-term food storage like I am, you already know how …

Several-Bags-of-Bulk-Beans

How to Keep Beans from Losing Flavor in Storage (And Bring It Back)

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. If you’ve had dry beans sitting on the shelf for a while, you may …

A Variety of Rice and Beans on a Countertop

What’s the Best Rice-to-Beans Ratio for a Balanced Diet?

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. If you’re stocking up on pantry staples or planning meals that can go the …

A Hand Holding Rice and Beans in the Palm

How to Tell If Dry Beans Are Too Moist (And How to Fix It)

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. I’ve had it happen more than once—I go to grab a jar of beans …

Black-Beans-in-Bag-and-in-a-Hand

How to Tell If Dry Beans Have Gone Bad (Sight, Smell, and Storage Tips)

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. Dry beans are a pantry staple in my house. They last a long time, …

Man with fridge open in dark kitchen

How Long Do Beans Last in the Refrigerator (Cooked or Uncooked)?

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. I like to make a big pot of beans to use throughout the week, …

A Generic Can of Food in an Otherwise Empty Freezer With a Girl Looking in Dubiously

Can You Store Dry Beans in the Freezer Long-Term?

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. Yes, you absolutely can store dry beans in the freezer, and in fact, it’s …

How Long Will Beans Last in Mylar with Oxygen Absorbers

How Long Will Beans Last in Mylar with Oxygen Absorbers?

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. If you store dry beans the right way—inside thick mylar bags with proper oxygen …

A container of cooked and uncooked lasagna in a drawer in the fridge

How to Keep Cheese Sauce Creamy in the Fridge (And Reheat It Without Breaking)

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. Made a beautiful batch of cheese sauce—but now you’re wondering how to keep it …

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