Recently, I learned about a fascinating canning custom. Many Appalachians believe that women should not (and were not permitted to) can food during their menstrual cycle. According to the lore, if a woman cans during her period, the food will spoil, or the lid won’t seal. As someone who menstruates, I found it hard to imagine how my period could somehow affect food. Although I haven’t canned food, I’ve never encountered any issues in the kitchen in the past. Intrigued, I began to investigate the prominence, truth, and origins of this belief.
Across cultures, menstruation is often cast in a negative light—viewed as unclean, sinful, and dirty. This is just one particular example of the litany of restrictions and superstitions facing menstruating women throughout history and across cultures. Menstruating women’s canned foods will spoil, their bread won’t rise, they’ll kill plants—the list goes on. Basically, women should spend the week isolated, resting in bed. Although some may see it as dramatic, examining this canning tradition (or others like it) isn’t trivial. These kinds of superstitions about women’s bodies are pervasive, copious, and give insight into how women are viewed or think about themselves in certain communities.
Biblical ideas about menstruation have shaped the connotation of periods over time. Leviticus menstruation laws found in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible and in the Jewish Torah not only connected menstruation with impurity but provided rules for how to navigate that time of the month. According to Leviticus 15:19-30, a woman “…shall be in her menstrual impurity for seven days, and whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening. And everything on which she lies during her menstrual impurity shall be unclean. Everything also on which she sits shall be unclean. And whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening.” Based on Leviticus, not only is the woman impure, but she also has the power to contaminate everything she touches. This makes impurity seem contagious (something we’ve all experienced a fear of during COVID). The biblical connection also adds a morality element. Breaking with the biblical rules and ideas about menstruation could be seen as immoral, secular, or blasphemous. While most people probably don’t think about periods as being explicitly impure anymore, the remnants of this concept are still present in the idea that menstruation causes food spoilage.
In contrast to the biblical claims about menstruation, other superstitions give blood—particularly menstrual blood—supernatural abilities. For instance, blood has been an ingredient for natural cures and remedies for ailments like animal bites and epilepsy. It’s also a key component of love potions. Interestingly, while I was researching this topic, I found accounts of women who fertilized their gardens with period blood. This practice contradicts the notion that menstruation ruins food, and instead proposes that it fosters growth and nourishment.
To better understand what people today think about menstruation and canning, I used Facebook to gather some anecdotal data. I posted about this belief and asked members of a large, Appalachian FB group if they knew about its origins. People testified to hearing, believing, and objecting to this idea. Some listed other restrictions like not being allowed in the garden, to make fudge, or get her hair permed during her period. A lot of comments chalked it up to being an old wives’ tale, some connected it to biblical ideas about impurity, and some people claimed that women started it to get a week off from domestic work. Some commenters admitted to having spoiled canned foods or killed plants in the garden themselves, while others rejected the claim based on their experiences. The Facebook comments showed me that many people still believe that menstruation ruins the canning process (among other things), and that menstruation is a provocative, contested subject. I didn’t expect so many and such staunch opinions.
While I understand wanting to can following the guidelines handed down to you, I think it’s important to examine how those traditions may intertwine with misogyny. Beliefs like this have the power to influence how women feel about their bodies and enforce the historically negative perception of menstruation. A good number of women admitted to believing in this or to spoiling canned foods themselves, and I don’t want to invalidate their experiences. The anxiety of breaking with superstition, deviating from family tradition (or certified family rules), and risking food spoilage can feel enormous. Conversely, I recognize that not being allowed to do certain activities during menstruation won’t make every woman feel differently about her body. Nevertheless, I would urge people to also look to other potential causes for spoiled food. Everyone is susceptible to confirmation bias, which is the tendency to interpret experiences or evidence as confirmation of one’s beliefs. If you’ve been told that menstruation impacts food, you may be more likely to believe that is the cause of food spoilage rather than examining other causes.
As I talked about in my last post, doing things like baking and canning the way your family taught you is a meaningful way to keep traditions alive and feel connected to your roots. However, canning could be just one example of many traditional activities that were shaped by misogyny. While many men and women believe menstruation impacts canning, there is also plenty of evidence to the contrary. I’m inclined to believe that it is a myth. However, I also recognize that I began researching this from a place of skepticism, and I don’t have experience canning. I don’t feel qualified to come to a definite conclusion, but I’m glad that I took the time learn about more about this tradition and consider its significance. When I do learn how to can, I’m definitely going to do my own experiment.
I would love to hear what more people think about this tradition! For those who do can foods, what do you think? Please comment your thoughts or experiences below!
My grandma swore by not canning and touching jars when you was in your period but never had no issues with being in the garden being in my period.
No I have had the experience with my mother of lying about being on my period and the whole batch I helped with spoiled cause I was on my period I really thought her and my grandmother was crazy
So are u saying its okay to canned spaghetti sauce on ur period
We had a friend who was on her cycle help us do green beans on year. I called nonsense on the lore and we canned beans all day into the evening. 45 jars of Ball big jars had to be opened and dumped. Not 1 jar took vacuum, and was garbage. First time we ever had an issue. She took the beans home and put them in a open fire hanging pot with a smoked ham. Try as I might and was starving at the cookout, I could not eat the beans. I’m here to tell you it’s not folk lore, it a FACT
My best friend and I just talked about this and we wanna do a project to see if it actually happens. Her family and my husband’s family, both born and raised in western North Carolina, have always believed and said witnessed it as well.
My mother did a lot of canning with her own mother, and sisters. My grandmother was raised Amish, but had left that behind. My mother still did canning as well and I helped, but we didn’t do it that often. My mother told me that one does not do canning if they are menstruating, not because they were “unclean”, but because your body was producing different hormones and such during that time. She also told me of times when they had broken that rule and experienced food spoiled as a result. The other women (and men) could participate, just not a women on her period. As a master’s level theologian I have studied the law of Moses in the Bible. The laws regarding menstruation and other sexual functions was not about misogynism, it was about LIFE. Blood is about LIFE and Sexuality is about LIFE. LIFE is holy. Set apart and special. That is why women are to be separate. Also menstruation is admittedly a way of women’s uterus to expel the materials that were to prepared to receive new LIFE after conception. In addition, when one considers the hygiene practices of the older societies, it would be wise to keep the blood and menstrual rags in a separate place. We have so many conveniences now, that make feminine hygiene much easier and more complete.
The laws not only applied (apply) to women. Males also had and still have to obey many practices for the same reason. Boys had to be circumcised – at seven days of age as well any male converting to Judaism later in life. There are also other laws that men are to follow regarding their semen and such.
These laws are not punishment or misogyny, they are to point out the holiness and importance of LIFE that is produced through sexuality. Sexuality was given to us as a gift not a curse. We are partakers in the holiness and wonder of new LIFE through sexuality. A gift, that when used properly is and enjoyable reflection or our intimacy with God. The Bible often refers to the joy of the bridegroom and the bride and their union. Not just physically and emotionally, but spiritually as well.
Read the Mosaic Law again regarding sexuality from this perspective – holiness and LIFE. The joyful union of a man and woman who become one mentally, physically and spiritually. By asserting the fact that sexuality is a special and holy gift, the law actually is enhances it by following the laws.
None of my gardening nor canning, spoiled, while having a period.. i think the lack of good, personal hygiene may affect it though..
Since my whole youth was drenched with superstitions, I had to overcome such lore and to learn to trust in God.
If abstinance was practiced until the day of ovulation, there was a greater chance for conception and populating the earth…Just saying!
LIFE.
I really liked your explanation of this old wives tail . I believe God always has a better plan. And your explanation of this as being Life and not about misogyny. As both men and women work in the garden and can foods. Thank you Sharon
Love this. Thank you for posting. I ist admit that even with modern hygiene, I did not can while on my period. I believe the hormones interfere with pectin setting. I never had any problem with acidic canning. However, as a young woman I was banned from the kitchens of my aunts when they made any yeast breads or “Teichs”, for cake, for the same reason. Not because I was unclean but because the hormones I produced during Menstruation would interfere with the yeast rising. They were all past menopause
Boiled down and suitable for canning, happy wife, happy life. A bit too simple, but hey, it rhymes.
When I first started canning my mother-in-law and I and made sauerkraut and I don’t know about the thing about having your period and I was 09 mine. Every bit of the sauerkraut ruined and we were very careful. The next week my mother-in-law asked if I was having my period when weMade it and I told her yes. She said that was the problem. There is a lot of work in canning so I don’t want that to happen again. True or not I don’t want anyone around when I’m canning that’s on their period.
It’s not the stuff in the gardens it’s canning things that have acid in it like tomatoes. Pickles. Kraut that it effects this is what we were taught. It’s not everything. Just vegetables with acid
Different ph balance while on your period. And just because we are Appalachian doesn’t mean we don’t clean ourselves any less than anyone else. I kind of resent that above statement. But yes I had it affect my canning. Not my garden just my canning. I didn’t even know why because I canned several things and on different days and only the last batches didn’t seal. I told my mother in law and she asked me had I started my period and sure enough I had. But I heard you have a different ph level while on your period. Not all Appalachian beliefs are without reason.
It’s True
Maybe it was women who suggested this week in bef…we calls it vacation time in my family…
Just say’n…like the woman who wrote the article saying “I’ve never canned before!”…
Hello Hannah – I am super interested about this topic. In my family (from southern Italia Molise) also strictly believed in this. Still my dad (born 1963) doesn’t allow my sisters to help doing homemade tomato sauce when on period. I’m trying to get some insight about this might come from specifically, but its hard to find resources°! Tahnk you:)
Today I canned while on my period. I was canning with the guy I like and his parents and his sister cause he is my neighbor and I’m close with them. The canned fruit turned out better than I expected so this superstition is probably people just worrying about it too much and focusing on their period more
Let us know if they end up spoiling. I’m sure it doesn’t happen instantly.
PROVEN!! I have butchered and canned my whole life KNOWING this CAN happen. I have found it to be true MANY times through years of experience (35). I was recently reminded of its REALITY when we had meat to spoil much quicker because I started my period during and did not realize it. We were cutting meat for two days and at the end of our second day I found I had started bleeding. I had not used the rest room all day (8 hours). If I had I could have stopped the ruin. We had a large investment in this meat so taking a chance on it was the last thing I wanted. The meat turned green after thawing and setting at room temperature for a bit. My dogs would not even eat it. I have NEVER seen anything like it. I was always extra careful with meat. It certainly made me understand why my dad forbid us to cut meat during our periods. I HAVE had this experience before with canning and with food and bread. (even my children’s wounds heal slower if I tended them during menstruation) YOU CAN PROVE IT: Try this wash your hands then handle/touch bread, lunch meat, or cheese (strawberries for a quicker version) on a day of your period and later on a regular day, leave it out and see which one molds first? (this MUST be done by the SAME woman and be sure to write down the days and times for TRUE results) Some females have very light flows this may have a slight difference, so be SURE to do this on your heaviest day for true results. You will no longer be a skeptic.
I also grew up with this Myth. My grandmother was convinced her tomatoes would spoil if anyone on their cycle was allowed in the kitchen while canning. I have been canning for a while now and have taken a Master Canning Class. Lids don’t seal for many reasons (most preventable) such as a faulty bent lid, a chip in the rim of the jar, improper headspace when packing in food, not wiping the tops of your jars with vinegar before putting on the lids, applying your rings too tight or too loose, tipping jars to the side when removing them from the canner, siphoning, not allowing the proper amount of time to pass before removing jars from the canner and disturbing the jars (not allowing them to sit for the recommended amount of time before testing your seals and putting them up) to name a few. If you have a false seal and are not checking your jars before moving them into the pantry for a proper seal that is why the food spoils. If you have a good seal, it isn’t going to spoil. Also, stacking jars on top of one another, tightening down and leaving the rings on will cause seals to break or storing jars in an area where heat and cold fluctuate can cause you to loose seals. There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to canning and NO canner no matter how experienced will get it right 100% of the time. Seals fail, but if you are checking and re-checking before you put your food up it will minimize finding spoiled food later. Also following proper canning procedures is the most important thing. A lot has changed in canning since grandma did it so educating yourself will be your most powerful weapon against spoilage. As interesting as it sounds, I am very doubtful that a woman on her cycle will spoil your food. I feel like a lot of people are looking for something to blame for a jar/jars not sealing rather than just chalking it up to a mistake they may have made during the process and doing better next time. We live in a world where people no longer take responsibility for anything they do and just want to pass blame in whatever form. No one is perfect, we all make mistakes and that is the bottom line.
When working with yeast during a cycle, I am unable to get my dough to rise properly. Cookies seem to not bake the sane either. My Sister’s canning wouldn’t seal properly one year as she canned during her cycle.
I don’t have any experience canning foods and very little experience in the garden, however, I have lived in Appalachia my entire life, and I am a woman, so this article struck a specific chord with me. While, as I said, I’ve never canned any foods, I have been a victim of misogyny, and I have witnessed firsthand how it shapes societies institutions and customs. When I’m on my period, I think a lot about the way misogynistic beliefs have villainized the female body’s natural cycles. It was refreshing to see an article that commented on that from my own region. I’m not saying that anyone’s beliefs around women and canning are untrue, just that, either way, the villainization of women’s periods is a serious issue that I don’t think is talked about enough, and I appreciate you bringing awareness to all Appalachian period-havers.
I don’t have any experience canning foods and very little experience in the garden, however, I have lived in Appalachia my entire life, and I am a woman, so this article struck a specific chord with me. While, as I said, I’ve never canned any foods, I have been a victim of misogyny, and I have witnessed firsthand how it shapes societies institutions and customs. I am a baker, and I’ve never noticed menstruation having any effect on my baking abilities. When I’m on my period, I think a lot about the way misogynistic beliefs have villainized the female body’s natural cycles. It was refreshing to see an article that commented on that from my own region. I’m not saying that anyone’s beliefs around women and canning are untrue, just that, either way, the villainization of women’s periods is a serious issue that I don’t think is talked about enough, and I appreciate you bringing awareness to all Appalachian period-havers.
I am a Purdue University graduate and grew up outside of Chicago. My mother is born from West Virginia and spoke to me about it when I once walked through the kitchen while her and her sister canned tomatoes. She said that it wouldn’t “spoil” the canned tomatoes but rather it causes the seals to pop and if left unrefridgerated the food of course then would have potential of being left in less than ideal circumstances. I asked about the ” wives tale” and it’s details thinking of what nonsense it was. She said that tomatoes were sensitive for reasons unknown for canning with questionable contact or close contact during the canning process. Every seal on the jars that she was lidding for the preasure cooker, came unsealed either within an hour or by the next morning. I don’t think this long observed wives tale oppressed myself or anyone else but we also are not knowledgeable about all things in our world and universe. Perhaps it’s microorganisms that possibly can be air bound temporarily or some other scientific explanation. All I know is I’m not one to jump on the wagon but I learned to stay out when tomatoes are processing if need be.
P.S. I have a actually never found any of my grandmother’s lore to be incorrect, from flies bite means rain to stripes on the worm indicates the length of the coming winter and all things gardening based on moon cycles of the Farmers almanac.
Which is based on water pull from moon cycle turning tides. It also relates to humans as well. We just cannot understand all the details of this science of old quite yet. I wouldn’t want to be closed minded to potential wisdoms that save us work and troubles. Would you? Isn’t closed- minded thinking what caused oppression?
My dad being from West Virginia beleived highly on that. We where only aloud in the garden to weed the onions, nothing else. We definitely where not aloud around canning of any part. I believe in this because 3 of us helped and not knowing 1 was about to start caused all 24 jars of beans to not can properly. Happened another time with tomatoes. We where given other chores growing up. My dad always helped when 1 of us girls where down.