How to make homemade jam. Have you always wanted to make your own jam? Then you’ve come to the right place! Today, I’m sharing all my tips and tricks. Making your own jam is definitely not difficult. In fact, it’s a fun way to preserve summer fruit and enjoy it year-round. Psst! At the bottom of this article, you’ll find my basic jam recipe, which is always handy to have. 😉
Is it Jam, Fruit Spread, or Confiture?
What’s the difference between these fruit preparations? Simply put, “confiture” is another word for “jam.” Fruit spread, on the other hand, is something else entirely. Initially, it is made the same way as real jam, but sugar is not used as a sweetener. Instead, apple juice, concentrated juice, or agave syrup are generally used.
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Get Started With This Basic Jam Recipe!
You don’t need much to make your own jam: All you need is fresh, ripe fruit, sugar, and sometimes a little lemon juice. The amount of pectin in the fruit, whether you use lemon juice, and how much sugar you use will affect the outcome. Pectin is a soluble fiber that thickens jam, acting as a natural gelatin.
In the basic recipe below, I use a 1:1 ratio, which is always a safe bet. For fruits with a lot of pectin, you can use a ratio of 2:1 or even 3:1. I’ve already done the math for you in the recipes on the website, which is convenient.
Different Types of Fruit Jams
Sometimes, regular sugar is sufficient if the fresh fruit contains enough pectin. Otherwise, jam sugar can help. Jam sugar is simply sugar with added citric acid and pectin—ideal!
Different fruits with a lot of pectin for jam:
- Currants
- Blackberries
- Quinces
- Plums
Different fruits with little pectin for jam:
- Strawberries
- Apricots
- Raspberries
- Figs
- Cherries
Tips for the Perfect Homemade Jam
You should always do the jelly test when making jam. When you think the jam is ready, run a spoon through it, pull your finger away (be careful, it’s hot!), and draw a line through it. If the line remains visible and the jam stays separate, then it’s ready. If the line disappears and the jam merges back together, boil it a little longer.
Here are some Golden Tips from Eve for Making Your Own Jam:
- Mix the fruit, sugar, and lemon juice. Leave it covered overnight for better flavor.
- Use clean glass jars to store your jam. This will keep it safe and fresh longer.
- You can adjust the amount of sugar to taste, but keep in mind that this may affect the shelf life.
Make Your Own Sugar-free Jam!
Would you prefer to make jam without any sugar? That’s possible! To ensure a good flavor, choose a naturally sweet fruit that is ripe. If the fruit doesn’t contain much pectin, use chia seeds to thicken the jam.
Homemade Jam
Now that you’ve gathered all the tips and tricks and know them by heart, we can start making our own jam! Below, I’ll share a basic recipe that you can use with almost any fruit. This way, you can always whip up a delicious jar of homemade jam!
I like serving jam for breakfast or use it for a cake, it’s great on ice cream too!
Storing Jam
To keep the jam fresh for as long as possible, transfer it to a clean, sterilized jar as soon as it is ready. Close the lid tightly and turn the jar upside down to cool. This creates a vacuum, which allows the jam to keep well outside the refrigerator for up to six months!
The cleaner the jar, the longer the jam will keep, so pay close attention to this step. Once you open a jar, store it in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
- 250 gram summer fruit
- 250 gram jam sugar
- 1 tbs lemon juice
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Glass jars
INSTRUCTIONS (how to make this recipe):
- Clean and cut the fruit into small pieces.
- If you have time; mix the jam sugar and lemon juice with the fruit. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
- Place the fruit, jam sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan over low heat.
- Stir occasionally and simmer until the jam thickens and reaches the desired consistency. Test the jam to see if it is ready.
- Make sure you have a clean, dry glass jar ready. Pour the hot jam into the jar, screw the lid on tightly, and turn the jar upside down. Leave the jam to cool completely. Once opened, store the jam in the refrigerator and enjoy!
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