Jam of bitter orange is one of the most exotic and satisfying tastes that can be found in stores and market. It can be found almost everywhere and although its ingredients – bitter oranges, sugar, lemon juice and spices are relatively easy to market, it is not always obvious how to achieve the unique and complex taste of marmalade in the House. In this article, we will give you step-by-step instructions on how to prepare delicious bitter orange jam at home.
What ingredients are needed to make bitter orange jam?
The steps to making bitter orange jam at home start with getting the right ingredients together. You will need several bitter oranges (or two to three larger ones) peeled and sliced, a lemon, sugar, and ground cinnamon. You can also add additional spices, such as cloves, ginger, and chili, for added flavor and depth. Once the ingredients are gathered, you are ready to begin.
What materials do you need to get started?
You will need a good range of utensils to get started. You will need a large cauldron for making the jam, as well as a wooden spoon, so you can stir your jam and stir it while cooking. Stainless steel pots are the best because they cook food quickly and evenly and don’t react to acidic products. You can also opt for a copper or cast iron cauldron if you wish. You will also need a large cutting board, a zester or grater, and a bowl to catch the juice from the fruit, especially the lemon juice.
How to make bitter orange jam?
Once you have gathered all the materials and ingredients, you can start preparing. The first step is to wash, slice and remove the skin from the oranges. You can do this using a wooden board and a long knife. Once the oranges are cut, start removing them into small cubes and mix in a large bowl with the sugar. Next, peel and zest the lemon to collect the juice. Once the oranges are mixed with the sugar, mix them with lemon juice and add spices, such as cinnamon and ginger, if desired. You can also add additional spices, such as chilli and cloves, according to your taste.
Now that you’ve mixed the ingredients, it’s time to put the mixture into the cauldron. Pour the mixture into the cauldron and put it on the fire at high temperature. Use a wooden spoon to stir the mixture and help it cook evenly. Once the jam begins to boil and thicken, reduce heat to medium and cook for another 30 to 45 minutes. You will notice that the amount of liquid will start to decrease and the mixture will start to thicken. You can taste your jam about 15 minutes before the end of cooking to check the sweetness or acidity level. You can always adjust the sugar or acidity if needed.
Once your bitter orange jam is ready, let it cool to room temperature for some time before transferring it to glass jars or jars. Let it cool completely before closing it and store it at cooler temperatures on a refrigerator shelf. You can keep your bitter orange jam for about a month.
Conclusion
Making bitter orange jam at home is quite easy and does not take much time. You don’t need the same expensive equipment and materials that are used by industrial manufacturers to make their jam. By simply following the steps above, you can get a delicious, unique taste of bitter orange jam at home. And it’s always a practical advantage to know how to prepare simple recipes at home.