How to Make Jam

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So Delicious

and So Easy to Make

Jam making is great fun, especially if you get kids involved. But how do you go about it? Is it a very complicated process? Read on to know more.

- - - - - - Pectin and High Pectin Fruits

Pectin is a thickening agent that is added to jam recipes to help the jam set nicely. Although many jam recipes do not require pectin, it does add a certain firmness and jam-like feel to fruit jams. Certain fruits are naturally high in pectin, such as grapes, cranberries, plums and apples and so for many of these fruit jams, you may not even need pectin.

- - - - - - Do I Need a Jam Making Kit?

If you're a first-time jam maker, buying a jam making kit is a good idea. The convenient kit comes with all essential supplies such as a jam funnel, thermometer, jam pan, fruit huller, and even jam jars.

- - - - - - When to Add Sugar to Jam

Some recipes require you to add sugar along with the fruit and pectin/lemon juice right at the beginning of the cooking process, while others require you to add the sugar later. In either case, always make sure that you stir the sugar well until it dissolves completely.

- - - - - - How to Seal Jam Jars

After pouring jams into jars, leave about half an inch of space on top and cover the jar with waxed jam discs (this prevents mould). Then, seal tightly with the jar lid and store in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate the jam once it has been opened.

Jam Making Tips

Using these simple tips and tricks will make sure that the jams you make turn out perfect every single time¿

Use fresh fruit. Perfect fruits really do make a difference.

If possible, always use preserving sugar, especially when cooking with low-pectin fruits.

If you want to avoid pectin, lemon juice is a viable alternative.

Make jams in small batches for optimal results.

How to Make Strawberry Jam

Ingredients: Fresh strawberries (1 kg), sugar (about 3-4 cups), and lemon juice (1/4 cup).

Method: In a large bowl, crush strawberries (in small batches) to get about four cups of crushed berries. Mix berries with the sugar and lemon juice and stir the whole mixture over low heat in a heavy-bottomed pan until all the sugar has dissolved. Then, on high heat, bring the mixture to a boil and keep stirring until it reaches about 100-105 degrees Celsius. Transfer the jam immediately to jam jars, seal and store.

Jam making is a great deal of fun and can even be addictive! Make your first batch, see how it turns out and make modifications along the way until you¿ve perfected the fine art of jam making!

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