When cucumbers in a jar become soft, wrinkle and lose their crispness, this may not affect the taste of the product. But the food is losing its aesthetics. How to find out the reason and eliminate mistakes when canning in the future?
Reasons why cucumbers in a jar become soft 
1. Violation of sterilization rules. If the vegetables are not washed well enough and the container is not carefully processed, the brine may become cloudy and the lid may swell.
2. Violation of tightness. Even through a tiny hole under the lid, air will begin to enter, causing the product to spoil. The reasons are poor-quality lids, a bad rolling key and mechanical stress during storage.
3. The influence of enzymes. Sticky mold on the surface of a liquid is the result of fungal activity. Under the influence of enzymes, protopectin, a water-insoluble plant pectin, is broken down into pectin and acid. As a result, the vegetables become soft and empty. You can try to revive the workpiece by removing the mold, filling it with boiled brine with added salt and re-closing it with sterile lids. 
4. Violation of the rules for preparing brine. Lack of salt, vinegar or its replacement with citric acid, prolonged fermentation can cause soft cucumbers. Excess garlic also affects the structure of the fruit.
5. Bad vegetables. Even if the cooking technology is followed, cucumbers may turn out to be too soft. This happens when there is excessive application of nitrogen fertilizers, insufficiently frequent watering, or lack of light. For pickling, you need to select cucumbers that are approximately the same size, without yellowness or damage.
6. Violation of storage rules. If the temperature in the product is too high, the destruction of lactic acid, which acts as a preservative, begins. The fruits soften and fall apart. Therefore, it is better to store jars at a temperature no higher than +3 degrees, and consume them before 3 years have passed from the date of preparation.
Secrets of the right crispy cucumbers 
Before cooking, cucumbers should be thoroughly washed and kept in cold water for a couple of hours. Thoroughly rinse and dry the spices used. To avoid mold, add a little mustard or grated horseradish to the brine.
Vegetables are placed in the jar as tightly as possible, without gaps if possible. The brine should cover the fruit at a level of 3 centimeters. For extra crunch, some add a little vodka or alcohol to it.
Do you have a recipe for cucumbers that always turn out firm and crispy?
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