8 Tricks To Making The Perfect Jar Of Jam Or Jelly
Mixing fruit and sugar and setting it to boil over high heat to make your own jams and jellies is a true treat. There's no denying that ripe fruit and little jars make a wonderful partnership, allowing you to preserve your favourite fruit and cut down on food waste. Oh, and those little jars make great gifts to boot. Before you get started, here are eight key tips for how to make a perfect jar of jam or jelly.
What's the difference between jam and jelly?
Jam
Jam contains pieces of fruit, cooked with sugar and partially broken down. Meant to taste very fresh, jam is cooked just long enough for the fruit to begin to break down and release flavour. Overcooked jams will have a stewed flavour (you do not what this!).
Jelly
Jellies are produced by extracting the juice from fruits and then adding sugar and lemon juice (or another acid), while pectin is added to help it solidify. Unlike jams, jellies are known for their heightened sweetness, which is achieved by cooking the fruit over low heat for an extended period.
It is important not to cut corners when it comes to cooking the fruit, as it may result in a jelly that lacks flavour. For even more complex flavour, cook the entire fruit with its skin, seeds and core intact. The final product is always passed through a sieve and strained to remove any solids during the later stages of the process.
How to make a perfect jar of jelly or jam
1. Select in-season fruit that is perfectly ripe.
Ripe fruit has the best flavour and the highest pectin fruit content. Preserving is intended to lock in the flavours of the season—so take advantage of them while they're at their peak.
2. Clean the fruit properly.
It is essential to wash fruit before cooking (and adequately scrub citrus peel).
3. Cook fruit in stainless steel or copper pots only.
Other metals can react with the acid in the fruit and leave a lingering metallic taste.
4. Blanch fruits that are overly sour or bitter.
Sometimes sugar alone is not enough to balance the sour to sweet ratio. Blanching fruit before the cooking process will leach out some of the bitterness.
5. Combat overly sweet fruits by adding a second fruit.
Although lemon juice is often recommended to balance sweetness, it doesn’t always do the trick. Try adding in a less sweet fruit (hence the enduring popularity of the strawberry-rhubarb combo).
6. Have paper towel on hand.
No matter how clean your kitchen is, dish towels are sponges for germs and bacteria. Always use a funnel to pour your mixture into the jar. (And wipe up any spills on jar rims with a clean paper towel.)
7. Leave adequate head space for proper sealing.
Leaving an insufficient gap at the top of filled jars is a primary cause for inadequate sealing. Maintain a space of 1/4 to 1/2 inches on filled jars, depending on the specific recipe. If the lids have not made a popping sound, it is unsafe to store them at room temperature.
(In this case, jars can be stored in the refrigerator for a duration of two to three weeks completely covered and still be enjoyed.)
8. Have the right canning tools on hand.
Although canning is intrinsically satisfying, having a few key tools will make the process much easier, and safer! You may also consider a candy thermometer and metal spoon.
Five Essential Jam-Making Tools
Canning Funnel, $16
A wide-mouth funnel allows the jam or jelly to be poured into jars cleanly—ensuring a proper seal. A stainless steel funnel with a wide handle to avoid the hot jam is ideal; it's non-reactive, lasts longer than plastic and cleans up quickly. A good set is also relatively inexpensive.
Victorio Canning Jar Lifter, $16
Canning tongs are important to have on hand, especially if you're sanitizing the jars beforehand by boiling them in water. These ones are long, with rubber-coated grips that make it easy to grasp jars. Be sure to regularly check the hinge for residue buildup or rust.
Norpro Small Canning Rack, $18
Canning racks are also a must, no mater how many jars you make at a time. They allow you to submerge and remove your jars from boiling water in a safe manner; putting jars directly on the bottom of a pot of boiling water risks breaking the glass. An ideal canning rack should feature long handles that extend out of the pot, allowing you to submerge and retrieve the entire rack if necessary.
Norpro Jelly Strainer Stand, $22
Jelly bags are a great alternative to making your own with cheesecloth if you prefer jelly over jam; they're much easier to pour the cooked fruit into and also to hang. Bonus: they can also be used as strainers for making nut milks and fruit juices. Use these for making clarified versions of butter or margarine as well.
Cuisinart Nesting Liquid Measuring Cup Set, $16
Over-sized liquid measuring cups with a pourable spout ensures your amounts are precise and they are handy in every way, from storing macerating fruit to measuring liquid amounts, and are indispensable in other types of cooking as well.
8 homemade summer jam and jelly recipes
Quick Peach Jam
August is the time to glut yourself on fresh, juicy peaches. But if you’ve bought more than you can eat, take a break and try your hand at preserving them. Get this quick peach jam recipe.
Raspberry Freezer Jam
This classic recipe bursts with berry freshness. It's so delicious, you'll want to eat it right out of the jar. Get this raspberry freezer jam recipe.
Jumbleberry Freezer Jam
A delicious blend of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, this 20-minute freezer jam is perfect for spreading, topping and baking with. Get our jumbleberry freezer jam recipe.
Cherry Tomato Jam
When sweet, juicy tomatoes are at their prime, follow this strict daily regimen: Buy, eat, repeat. Get the spicy cherry tomato jam recipe.
Easy Plum Jam
Plums are one of the simplest fruits to jam, since they don’t need to be peeled. The cardamom adds a subtle perfume but can be omitted (or use cinnamon). Get this easy plum jam recipe.
Spicy Strawberry Jelly
Use this summer jelly to liven up toasts with creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert. Get our spicy strawberry jelly recipe.
Concord Grape Jelly
Stir up this sweet spread in no time—it's a perfect hostess gift with endless possibilities! Get our Concord grape jelly recipe.
Jalapeno Pepper Jelly
Similar to red pepper jelly but spicier, this sweet-hot jelly is wonderful served with soft cheese or in a glaze for chicken. Get the jalepeno pepper jelly recipe.
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