Thursday, July 22, 2010

How to Make Jam (Easily)

I made a jam from the blackberries and wineberries I discussed in Monday’s video blog.

It’s as simple as:


Washing the fruit, putting the fruit in a pot with sugar and lemon juice, cooking the mixture over medium-high heat so the fruit breaks a
part and releases its juices, and continuing to cook the mixture until it thickens to almost the desired consistency.

Other points of interest:
  • How much sugar? Many recipes call for equal amounts of sugar and fruit. I usually use one part sugar to two parts fruit, and if the fruit is really sweet, I go even less on the sugar.
  • Transfer the still-warm mixture into a glass jar; it will thicken further as it cools. (This is easier and less messy than letting the mixture cool in the pot and then transferring it to a jar.)
  • Pectin, a natural thickening agent, is found in fruit, so there’s really no need to buy powdered pectin.
  • Store in the refrigerator.

2 comments:

cat delett said...

Thank you for this. I've been wanting to make jam, but it seemed too hard. This simple method sounds right up my alley -- and delicious, too.

Anonymous said...

Will try this weekend, thanks Rob!!!