Pectin

[Florence Fennel]

Do you use shop bought pectin please? I have never used it when making strawberry jam, but I wonder if it really does make for a better set?

[Dorothy rouse]

Recipe I used, included juice of lemon, half I think, perfect set.

[Bren In Pots]

I do the same thing as Dotty.

[rhonsal]

I bought bottled pectin last year for my chilli jam as local supermarket had ran out of jam sugar - worked fine, but would have been helpful if the insructions advised how much to reduce water by in the recipe!

[greenishfing]

I always use ordinary sugar and lemon juice (Delia's recipe) It's always worked.

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks All. I've only ever used lemon juice and granulated sugar, I'm not even sure what made me ask about pectin, but I'm glad I did, it's restored my confidence

[Vince G]

Made jam for the first time a couple of weeks ago from a glut of strawberries. Used jam sugar from Tate & Lyle (other jam sugars are available...) plus half a lemon. So could I do without the lemon juice? Adds a slight sharpness to it I wouldn't expect in strawb jam.

[Dorothy rouse]

Yes, the jam sugar, has pectin added. Ordinary sugar, needs additional pectin, the lemon. I used a recipe, think it was a Delia, where you leave the fruit overnight in the sugar, and then the fruits stay 'whole' which I like, there are loads of different recipes, personal taste.

[Jeanied]

The natural pectin varies with the fruit - have a look here as it explains it all better than I can

You can make your own pectin to add - but I have never tried it...

[Martin H]

Does anybody know where to get meths or 70% rubbing alcohol for the pectin test? None of our local chemists have it.

[Jeanied]

Does anybody know where to get meths or 70% rubbing alcohol for the pectin test? None of our local chemists have it.

DIY shop - motoring shop?

[mulchingoverwinter]

It really depends on what I'm making but for strawberry jam I tend to just throw a couple hundred grams of gooseberries and half the juice of a lemon and its amazing everytime!

[mothhawk]

I make my own with crab apple or unripe apples. I make and freeze it when apples are around - unripe crabs are fine. Cover the apples with water and simmer until the apples are soft. Strain through muslin and add to jam mix.

Or when cool freeze in ice cube trays, then you can add 3 or 4 "ice cubes" to the jamming fruit as required.