How To Make Homemade Jam

Is there anything better than homemade jam? We don’t think so. Especially when you get to experience the satisfaction of making it yourself. Plus, when you make your jam, you know exactly what’s going into the recipe and can avoid unnecessary added sugars, preservatives, and other unwanted ingredients. There are endless flavor variations of fruit spreads, jams, jellies, and compotes. You can completely customize the recipes to fit your personal preference. Once you get the hang of it, homemade jam makes a unique and thoughtful gift idea as well! You can add jam to toast, oatmeal, and yogurt parfaits, the options are endless!

Types of Variations

There are so many variations of jams and preserves. Let’s take a look at what they are and what makes each one unique!

• Jam – covers a wide assortment of different fruit preserves, being made using chopped fruit and sugar.
• Jelly – made by combining fruit juice with sugar. Pectin or some type of setting agent is usually added.
• Compote – a thick syrup that features whole pieces of fruit, often being served as a dessert.
• Chutney – originates from India and is made with a mixture of fruit, vegetables, sugar, vinegar, and spices.
• Curd – a creamy dessert spread made using a mixture of sugar, butter, and eggs and the juice and zest from citrus fruit.
• Conserve – a chunky jam-like mixture made using more than one type of fruit.
• Fruit butter– made using fruit that has been slowly cooked with sugar to form a smooth paste.
• Fruit Spread– a low-calorie smooth jam made using concentrated fruit juice.
• Marmalade – a citrus-based jam/jelly, with pieces of citrus peel and fruit being suspended within the set mixture.
• Preserve – a jam with soft pieces of fruit within the mixture.

While some traditional recipes such as curd and jelly call for pectin, eggs, or butter, not to worry, everything can be veganized!

The Basic Steps

1. Cut the fruit – Depending on what fruit you picked, cut it up into small, even pieces and add it to a bowl.
2. Combine fruit with sugar – Combine the fruit with the sugar, and use a potato masher to release the extra moisture from the fruit. This step will allow it to cook faster.
3. Boil – Transfer your fruit and sugar mixture to a pan and boil over medium heat for approximately 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure that the mixture does not burn. You can also add more sugar during this time, depending on your personal preference.
4. Know when it’s ready – To check if your jam is ready, transfer a small amount from the pan to a cold spoon or plate and wait for a few seconds. If it still looks runny, then you may need to boil it for a couple more minutes.
5. Store the jam – Once you are satisfied with your jam, remove it from heat and transfer it to any clear jars of your choice. Cover and cool completely befogging storing in the fridge for up to a month.

How To Turn Any Fruit Into Jam

Source: Joshua Weissman/Youtube

In this video, Joshua Weissman shows us how to turn almost any fruit of any amount into a jam. If you have fruit in your fridge that’s about to go bad, this recipe is perfect for you! All you’re going to need is fruit and sugar. He first starts by macerating the fruit. To do this, you want to de-pit, peel the fruit, and cut it up into small pieces. Combine your fruit with the sugar in a bowl and let it sit for a couple of hours, or overnight if you have the time. This process is important because it allows the fruit time to break down and dissolve the sugar. You can taste your jam mixture and decide if you would like to add more sugar, but it all depends on your personal preference. Once this step is done, bring your fruit mixture to a boil and add citrus, such as a lemon. Also, feel free to add your favorite spices or fresh herbs. You can store the jam in the fridge for up to a month!

If you’re still considering making your jam at home, there is no better time than summer, when an abundance of berries is in season! The other great thing about making your jam is that there is no big fuss required. All you need is fruit, lemon juice, sugar, and 30 minutes of your time!

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