Jam Trouble

[sparkyaj]

I thought I owuld experiment and make some normal strawbery jam from the fruit in the garden before trying it with the wild strawbs.

I took the advice on the link supplied today which seems to be the same as most recps. found on line.

It looked and smelt great! I poured it and left it to set only to find thisevening it's gone like gum. You need a sharp knife to get it out of the pot. Where'd I go wrong?

I used 1LB or strawbs, 3/4Lbs sug and a drop of lemon juice to help it set.......

Any help from any jam aexperts would be most greatfully received.

Thank you!

[pigletwillie]

Did you do a "set" test by putting a small amount on a chilled plate to see if it started to wrinkle after a minute when pushed with a finger? It sounds like you over boiled it.

[Alice]

Oh Sparky, what a shame. I can only think maybe you boiled it a bit too long. After about 15 mins boiling you have to keep testing for setting point by dripping a little bit of the mixture onto a cold saucer. If it sets straight away it's ready. Maybe you boiled off the liquid beyond that point and that's why it's so stiff. I can't think of a way to remedy the situation but maybe somebody else will. I hope so.

[Lesley Jay]

I normally have trouble getting my strawberry jam to set enough! Did you use jam sugar? If you did then that is your problem. It can set jam like rock. If you used normal granulated sugar then you have simply boiled it for too long. Setting time for jam can be from 3 minutes to 15 minutes so test early and always remove the jam from the heat whilst testing then it cannot boil too much. As for the jam you have made try warming a portion slightly in the microwave as you come to use it. This might make the jam spreadable and you could use it then on toast.