5 Best Fruits for Homemade Jams
One of the best ways to enjoy fruits is by pairing it with bread aka homemade jams. Making your own fruit jams also means healthier ingredients, especially when you skip pectin. Pectin or the additional agent for thickening is normally used in jams, but you can easily substitute it with other natural ingredients for a softer and thinner texture. Check out how to make the best fruit jams and best fruits to use below.
How to Make Fruit Jams Without Pectin
The key to making jam without pectin is allowing it to cook and thicken naturally. A long and slow boil drives the moisture out of fruits, thus preserving and thickening it at the same time. Fruits which contain natural pectin may take faster to gel up, but for other fruits that may vary in water content, it can take longer to thicken.
For the best consistency, check the jam for thickness during cooking and only turn your stove off after you get the texture you want. Typically, it may take more than 20 minutes of cooking. Use these steps below to make your own jams:
- Cut the fruits into even pieces
- Mash the fruits and sugar together. The amount of sugar is based on preference.
- Boil the fruits for at least 20 minutes, using medium heat. Stir occasionally.
- Acid such as lemon juice can help thicken jam, use as necessary.
- Take a small amount and let it cool. See if it cools to a nice texture as you’d like.
- Once the texture is set, turn off heat and let it cool before storing it in a jar.
Tips : Homemade jams are best stored in cool temperature. They may last up to several weeks or up to three months when frozen. Other than eating with bread, you can also use it as cereal topping or in baking recipes.
5 Best Fruits For Homemade Jams
1. Fruits that are high in natural pectin and acid.
Some examples of the fruits that are high in natural pectin and acid are apples, oranges, melons, cherries, currants, grapes, raspberries. While the opposites are peaches, strawberries, peach, pineapple, grapefruit, pears, blueberries, papaya.
2. In-season fruits
Using fruits that are in season means that there’s an abundance and you can get it at the best flavor and best price. Check out what’s in season at our store!
3. Ripe fruits
The best flavors in fruits come when it’s ripe or in the process of ripening. As the fruits ripen, the starch is converted into sugar, making the fruits sweeter, softer and healthier for you. These fruits also may have the best level of pectin and acid.
4. High quality fruits
The fruits you use for jam making should be firm and flavorful. Using best quality fruits means you are one step closer to the most perfect tasting jam. Be sure to pick ingredients that are fragrant and juicy.
5. Your favorite fruits!
Jam making can take a long time, but the result is satisfying and rewarding – especially when it’s something that you or your family loves.
