Homemade Strawberry Jam
Homemade Strawberry Jam
How to Make Chewy and Delicious Homemade Strawberry Jam
Create a healthy and delicious strawberry jam at home using fresh strawberries from the market. This recipe allows you to adjust the sugar content for a less sweet, more fruit-forward jam with a wonderfully chewy texture. Perfect for spreading on toast or topping yogurt.
Ingredients- Strawberries 600g
- Sugar 200g (approximately 1/3 of the strawberry weight)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
When making jam, the common sugar ratio is between 1:1 and 1:0.5 (strawberries to sugar), but this recipe uses less sugar for a healthier, less sweet jam. We’ll use 600g of strawberries and 200g of sugar (about 1/3 the weight of the strawberries). You can either boil them immediately after adding sugar or macerate the strawberries in sugar overnight for easier processing the next day.
Step 2
When strawberries sit in sugar, the sugar dissolves and draws out moisture from the fruit, making them juicy. Transfer this mixture to a pot and begin cooking over medium-low heat.
Step 3
Simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes. The strawberries will release more liquid, and the mixture will become more fluid as the sugar dissolves.
Step 4
Turn off the heat temporarily and use an immersion blender to break down the strawberries. It’s best not to blend them too smoothly; aim for a texture where some small pieces of strawberry are still discernible. Don’t worry about the foam that forms; simply turn the heat back on and continue cooking.
Step 5
As the jam begins to simmer again, any foam will start to gather in the center of the pot. Using a spoon or a skimmer, gently remove the foam. This will result in a clearer, cleaner jam.
Step 6
While strawberry jam usually cooks for about 25 minutes, this recipe, with reduced sugar and a focus on chewiness, is simmered for approximately 30 minutes. It’s crucial to stir occasionally to prevent the jam from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step 7
As the jam nears completion, test its readiness by running a spoon across the bottom of the pot. If the line created holds its shape for a moment, the jam is ready. This indicates it has thickened sufficiently.
Step 8
The finished jam will have a deep red color. Even with less sugar, it’s delightfully sweet, highlighting the natural flavor of the strawberries. This batch yields about one 500g jar.
Step 9
Once cooled, store the jam in the refrigerator. The next morning, I spread it on toast and found it had set into a wonderfully thick and delicious consistency, just as I hoped. It’s fantastic not only on bread but also with yogurt, pancakes, and more!
