Homemade Strawberry Jam: A Sweet & Fruity Delight
Homemade Strawberry Jam: A Sweet & Fruity Delight
Crafting Delicious & Healthy Homemade Strawberry Jam with Seasonal Berries
As spring bounty arrives, let’s make some healthy and delicious homemade strawberry jam! This recipe focuses on capturing the pure, vibrant flavor of fresh, seasonal strawberries without any artificial additives.
Key Ingredients- 1.5kg Fresh Strawberries
- 1.2kg Granulated Sugar (or sweetener of choice)
- 4 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice (approx. 60ml)
- 1 Tbsp Baking Soda (for washing)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the jars. Place your glass jars into a pot of cold water. Bring the water to a boil and let the jars simmer for 3-5 minutes to sterilize them. Carefully remove the jars and let them air dry completely, keeping them warm.
Step 2
We’ll be using a total of 1.5kg of strawberries. It’s convenient to have them in three 500g punnets.
Step 3
Before washing the strawberries, carefully remove the green stem ends. This is where dirt and bacteria tend to accumulate, so thorough removal ensures a cleaner fruit.
Step 4
In a large bowl, fill with plenty of water and dissolve 1 tablespoon of baking soda (or vinegar). This creates a gentle cleaning solution.
Step 5
Submerge the strawberries in the baking soda solution and rinse them quickly, no longer than 1 minute. Strawberries are rich in water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin C. Prolonged soaking can lead to nutrient loss and a less sweet flavor, so a quick rinse is key!
Step 6
After rinsing, place the strawberries in a colander to drain thoroughly. Excess water can make your jam too thin.
Step 7
Transfer the drained strawberries into a heavy-bottomed pot. Pour all the sugar over the strawberries. The typical ratio is 1:1 (strawberries to sugar) or 1:0.8, but feel free to adjust the sugar based on the sweetness of your berries and your personal preference.
Step 8
Put on a pair of disposable gloves and gently mash the strawberries with your hands. Don’t mash them too finely; leaving some small chunks will give your jam a delightful texture and rustic appeal.
Step 9
Heat the pot over high heat. As the strawberries begin to boil, skim off any foam that rises to the surface. Removing this foam ensures a clearer color and cleaner taste for your jam.
Step 10
Once the foam is removed, stir in the fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice not only brightens the vibrant red color of the jam but also adds a lovely tartness and helps to preserve it for longer. If you don’t have lemon juice, you can omit it, but it does enhance the overall flavor.
Step 11
Reduce the heat to medium and stir occasionally to prevent the jam from sticking to the bottom of the pot. This slow simmering process allows the jam to thicken beautifully.
Step 12
After simmering for about an hour, most of the liquid will have evaporated, and the jam will have a rich, thick consistency. To test, scrape the bottom of the pot with your spoon; if the line holds for a second or two, it’s ready.
Step 13
Here’s a simple test for doneness: place a small spoonful of jam onto a chilled plate or into a bowl of ice water. If the jam holds its shape and doesn’t spread out, it’s perfectly set! If it spreads, continue to simmer for a few more minutes.
Step 14
Carefully ladle the hot jam into the sterilized, warm jars, filling them to the brim. Invert the jars immediately after filling. This vacuum seal helps to preserve the jam for longer. This recipe yields about four 350ml jars.
Step 15
Once completely cooled, store the homemade strawberry jam in the refrigerator. For longer storage, especially if you want it to last until next season’s strawberries, consider portioning and freezing the jam.
Step 16
Take advantage of the affordable seasonal strawberries and try making this healthy and delicious homemade jam! It’s a wonderful treat to enjoy on toast, yogurt, or in your favorite baked goods.
