​The History of Mason Jars

It's incredible to consider how the humble Mason jar went from being a home canning staple to a must-have item for summer weddings, garden parties, crafts and interior design! After all, this ingenious glass jar was first created in 1858 and is arguably more relevant than ever in 2023. With that in mind, let's trace the history of the classic Mason jar and remind ourselves why we love these beautiful glass jars so much.

The craze for canning

The pandemic unlocked a new craze for canning and pickling as people looked for new ways to enjoy their home time and make savings. And today, when we make a fruit compote, pickle cucumbers or can tomatoes in Ball Mason jars, we follow a technology that has been around for thousands of years and popularised with Mason glass jars for over 160 years.

How Mason jars began

John Landis Mason, from New Jersey, was searching for a better way to can home produce in the 1850s. Until then, the process largely relied on wax to create airtight seals, and jars used corks, wax and a boiling process to preserve the contents; a process that was time-consuming, messy and also unreliable. Before the development of canning, people in colder climates relied on approaches such as drying, salting, smoking and fermenting to make fresh food last through the winter.

In 1858, at the age of 26, Mason patented his design of threaded jars with a screwtop, which was both water and airtight. These first glasses were made from aqua glass and are now collector's items. But unfortunately for Mason, he didn't patent the rubber ring design that creates the airtight seal for another ten years. By this point, the jars were being made widely by other manufacturers.

By 1880, after the original patent had expired, the five Ball Brothers began making glass jars and tin glasses, rapidly becoming the largest Mason jar manufacturers in America under the Ball Brothers brand. Over the years, Ball Brothers and other firms have made Mason glass jars in a huge range of colours, styles and designs. Some of the antique models come in shades of aqua, pink, violet, amber and cobalt. In fact, collectors have paid as much as a thousand dollars to get their hands on upside-down Ball Mason jars, which do actually rest on their lids.

How Mason jars changed the kitchen

By the late 19th century, Mason jars were widely available and Americans could cook and eat fruits and vegetables throughout the year, vastly improving the nation's nutritional health. By the late 1800s, a new wave of canning cookbooks were being produced, with recipes that would remain popular until today, such as rhubarb jam, preserved lemons and chilli vinegar. Homes even began to be modelled with new summer kitchens, where cooks could spend weeks at the end of the season preparing their produce for winter.

Home canning then became even more popular in the second world war, with Europeans and Americans growing their own for victory and being encouraged to can. Although freezer technology in the forties began to push out these more traditional methods, canning became popular again in the 60s through the counterculture movement.

Today, Mason jars are more popular than ever, thanks to their rustic style, affordability, versatility and recyclable nature. Editors use them to style rustic magazine features, wedding planners use them to dress tables, whilst restaurants use them to serve desserts. Whether to display flowers, hold cutlery, serve drinks and desserts or act as a tealight holder, Mason jars are hugely popular.

Try your own overnight oats

There are hundreds of Mason jar recipes available online, but one of our favourite ways to use them is for overnight oats. Save time on busy weekday mornings by whipping up these tasty and nutritious treats the night before, and either enjoy them before you head to school or work - or take them with you.

In a bowl, combine a large carton of Greek yoghurt with regular oats and some milk. Add half a banana, a spoon of honey, a tablespoon of flax or chia seeds and a tablespoon of peanut butter. Divide the mix into your choice of Mason jars, and in the morning, top them with fresh berries, a little extra honey or maple syrup and nuts or seeds to taste.

You can find plenty more great recipes to experiment with - why not share your creations with us and we'll show our community: https://www.masoncash.co.uk/recipe.

Discover our full range

When it comes to finding the perfect glass jar, Mason cash is still the leader of the pack. You can find a huge range of Mason jars with different sizes, styles, fastenings and accessories. They are all available at great prices and with fast, affordable delivery from the team at Wares: https://www.waresofknutsford.co.uk/jars/mason-jars-canning-and-bottling-jars/.

Our customer services team is always on hand for any queries you might have, too, so please get in touch if you have any questions about the right Mason jars for your next project!