Fruit Jam: The Jam of Summer
Summer is the season of choice for red fruits. Currants, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blackcurrants, all these fruits are harvested between July and August and are perfect for making delicious fruit jams. How do you turn those fruits into jars of sweet delight? Here’s our ultimate guide to making top quality fruit jams.
The benefits of homemade fruit jam
There fruit jam is a popular treat, but often comes with a high sugar content. By making your own homemade fruit jam, you can adjust the amount of added sugar for a healthier jam. Plus, there’s nothing more satisfying than creating and enjoying something made with your own hands. The benefits even go beyond health and personal satisfaction, as homemade fruit jams keep longer and offer a greater variety of flavors and textures.
Preparations
Before you start preparing your fruit jams, clean your fruit thoroughly by removing stems, stems and leaves. Fruit should be clean and dry before use. Thoroughly wash your cooking utensils and glass jars before use.
For a basic jam, you will need:
- 750g of red fruit (for example 500g of currants and 250g of strawberries)
- 500g granulated sugar
- The juice of half a lemon
1. In a saucepan, mix the fruit with the granulated sugar and lemon juice.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over low heat, stirring regularly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Turn up the heat and boil the mixture for 10-15 minutes, stirring often, until the jam is thick and sticky.
4. To test if your jam is ready, place a few drops on a cold plate. If it freezes quickly, it’s cooked.
5. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes. Meanwhile, sterilize your jars by immersing them in boiling water.
6. Pour the still hot fruit jam into the sterilized jars, leaving a small empty space between the jam and the rim of the jar.
7. Close the jar tightly and let it sit upside down for 5 minutes to remove any remaining air.
8. Turn the jar upside down and allow it to cool completely before storing.
Fruit jam is a must for all breakfast lovers. This delicious sweet preparation is obtained by cooking different fruits, such as strawberries, apricots, cherries or raspberries, mixed with sugar. The fruits are first washed, peeled and cut into pieces before being cooked over low heat with sugar. This preservation technique is ideal for preparing delicious sandwiches to accompany your morning coffee or tea.
Fruit jam can also be used in the preparation of desserts such as pancakes, cakes or pies. The most daring will not hesitate to add this sweet preparation to their savory dishes for a surprising and tasty touch.
There is an endless variety of fruit combinations to make delicious jams. The most traditional are strawberry, apricot or cherry jam, but it is also possible to experiment with exotic fruits such as mango or pineapple.
If you want to discover new recipes for your fruit jams, don’t hesitate to take a look at the Cuisine AZ website and make your taste buds travel with their different fruit jams! In addition to discovering original recipes, you will also find advice for giving a unique texture to your jams, for keeping them longer and for giving them as gifts to your loved ones.
In short, fruit jam is a must-have for all lovers of sweet treats. It is easy to prepare and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. So, let yourself be tempted by this delicious sweet preparation and enjoy!
Make your taste buds travel with our different fruit jams!
Tips for successful fruit jam
- Berries are high in pectin, which means you don’t need to add extra pectin for your jam to set. However, you can add a finely grated apple to give the pectin a boost if you’re using low-grade fruit.
- To prevent foam from forming on your jam, add a small knob of butter at the end of cooking.
- The cooking time depends on the fruits you use and their ripeness. If your fruit is very ripe, reduce the cooking time. If your fruit is firmer, add a few minutes of extra cooking.
- The jars must be perfectly clean and sterilized to ensure the long conservation of the jam. You can sterilize them by immersing them in boiling water for 10 minutes.
The most popular fruit jam brands
If you prefer to buy your fruit jams, here are some quality brands to try:
- Good Mom is known for its jams made with natural ingredients.
- Andros offers a wide range of jams with quality fruits.
- St. Dalfour is known for its no added sugar jams and organic ingredients.
Fruit Jam FAQs
How to prevent fruit jam from burning during cooking?
Stir the jam regularly during cooking to make it bubble evenly. If you see the jam sticking to the bottom of the pan, reduce the cooking temperature and stir more often.
How long does homemade fruit jam keep?
Homemade fruit jam can be kept for up to 1 year if stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, store the jam in the refrigerator and use it within 2-3 weeks of opening.
What if my jam does not set?
If your jam is too runny, you can cook it again for a few minutes or add agar-agar to set it. You can also add a little lemon juice to increase the amount of pectin in the jam.