jam

[SHAZSULL]

im interested in starting to make jams ect,ive seen many on here do this.
what i want to know is is it easy & do most of you grow your own stuff to use.ive not started growing any thing as yet!
any hint s tips of what to do make or buy appreciated
thanks
there a set on ebay pan funnel thermometer jars 49.00 ????????

[MaureenHall]

Jams are really easy to make if you follow the recipes. One thing I wouldn't be without is a sugar thermometer. Any large saucepan will do, and re-use jars that you have at home, just make sure they're sterilized before filling them again

[NOG]

Jam is easy:

Fruit, same weight of Sugar (use jammaking sugar as it has pectin it)

Put plate in Freezer
Bung fruit in a pan and heat, add sugar and boil.
Wash and dry jam jars.
Put on baking tray and in oven to heat.
When jam treakle like take plate out of Freezer and put a spoonfull of jam on plate. count to 5 then pull your fingrer thru it.
If it crinklrs its done.
Pour in to hot jars put on top
Let it cook.
Done

Get your neighbour to keep their jam jars for you.


.

[allotmentlady]

the experts on here says it all, i only manage to make glass rocks.......

[Polly Fouracre]

Jam making, like everything, is easy when you know how and have a bit of practise. Start with the easiest, blackcurrant, and work your way up. There are lots of wild fruit that can be jammed and jellied too. Go to it!!

[scarey55]

There are only 2 of us and we don't eat a lot of jam so I always use smaller jars. It is also nice to use smaller jars if you're going to give any away.

But, yes, jam making is easy. I have a very old Marguerite Patten book with a jam making section at the back which works well for me.

Have fun.

[SarzWix]

If you go out blackberrying, then it's quite cheap to do - only the sugar to pay for I have a huge raspberry patch, so they are cheap for me too. Strawberries, I go to a PYO farm, costs about £15.00 for enough to do big batch of jam, plus wine, plus some leftover to eat.

Try Ascott Smallholding supplies for equipment Jam Making Equipment
and Amazon for good books.
As NOG says, if you use Jam Sugar (not Preserving sugar), it has pectin added, so you get a better set and don't have to boil the life out of the fruit. In fact, the recipe on the side of the Jam Sugar bag is a good one to start with.

I personally never use a sugar thermometer, stupid thing gets in the way, and is, for me, nowhere near as accurate as the 'wrinkle test' - spoonful of jam on cold plate, wait few minutes, then push top with finger. If it doesn't wrinkle, put pan back on heat and boil for another few minutes. It's better to have it slightly underdone, than over-done - sloppy jam is just called a 'conserve' or something, burnt jam is called 'yack!'

[bramble]

You don't need to go to the expense of buying all the equipment.
I big saucepan, a wooden spoon and saved jars areall you really need.
Get some books in the library and you'll get plenty of ideas.
Good luck and enjoy.
I make jam every year, blackcurrent, gooseberry, apple and plum mixed, the list is endless, you can make jam from almost any fruit.

[Fluorescent green]

I made jam for the first time last year. I added apple because that contains pectin.
I didnt measure anything, and it was still ok. I did find it a bit bitty from the picked blackberrys, the apples were from a wild apple tree; you will find wild apple tree if you look around.

FG

[janeyo]

Hi I was a beginner last year and after buying a pig pan, made apple and blackberry, - EASY and delicious. And then made apple and elderberry -EASY and even more delicious.
I had been saving jam jars for 2 years so had plenty! My mum is now saving hers too so I've got enough for this year.

I also made some green tomato chutney and everyone I have given it to raves about it.

Have a go, it's easier than you think!