Preserving
Jam, jelly, conserve - how to tell the difference.
- Jam is made from chopped or mashed fruit and is usually thick.
- Jelly is made from the juice of fruit (strained off) and is smooth with no fruit pieces. It should be clear and firm.
- Conserves are a mixture of fruits or citrus fruit and can include nuts or dried fruit.
- Marmalade is strips or pieces of citrus peel in a soft gel.
- Preserves are large or whole pieces of fruit cooked in a sugar syrup.
Helpful Tip: Use Chelsea Jam Setting Sugar to make jam in a third of the time.
- Fresh fruit is best but Chelsea Jam Setting Sugar also works with defrosted frozen fruit.
- Always use a heavy based 6 litre pot with room for bubbling and a wooden spoon.
- Ensure Jam Setting Sugar has completely dissolved in the pot with fruit, before boiling.
- Stick to the recommended 4 minute full boil and never boil for longer unless the test for ‘set’ fails. See Easy Orange Jam Recipe
Bottling
- Ensure jars and caps are properly sterilised (See Jam Making Tool Kit )
- Always pour hot jams into hot jars.
- Always fill to rim of jar, to allow for shrinking.
- Store jams in a cool, dry place where they will keep for up to 12 months.
- After opening, store jams in a fridge where they will keep for approx. 3 months.
Jellies and Fruit Pastes with Chelsea Jam Setting Sugar
- 1 litre of pure fruit juice can be used instead of 1kg of fruit to make jellies.
- Use only cloudy juice (i.e. apple, pear), as clear juice will not set.
- Use the same recipe as printed on the Chelsea Jam Setting Sugar packaging.
- To make pastes, substitute fruit with fruit puree (use a food processor or blender).
- Suitable fruits include; apples, pears, guavas, pineapples, kiwi fruit, mangoes and quince.
Mixed Fruit Jams
- Create your own interesting new combinations including:
- apple and raspberry
- rhubarb and ginger
- tropical mango and pineapple
- Ensure you use the equivalent of 1kg clean fruit per batch of jam.
- To combine harder fruit with a softer fruit (such as apple and raspberry) mix the harder fruit in your food processor until a smooth paste forms, then add soft fruit and blend together.