Do you really need to sterilize your canning jars before preserving food?

This is one of the most common questions I get from both new and experienced canners, and the answer surprises a lot of people.

The truth is, for most approved water bath and pressure canning recipes, sterilizing jars ahead of time isn't necessary. In this video, I'm breaking down what current canning recommendations say, why the guidance has changed over the years, and what you actually need to do to safely prepare your jars for canning.