Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Eating and Drinking => Cooking, Storing and Preserving => Topic started by: Pimento on April 12, 2017, 08:15

Title: Rhubarb jam without sugar?
Post by: Pimento on April 12, 2017, 08:15

I have a bumper crop of rhubarb and would love to make some sugar-free, or very low-sugar jam. Please has anyone tried this? Are there any suitable sweeteners which can be used instead, and would I need to add pectin or gelatine?

I've looked online but there's lots of conflicting advice - on storage life, for example- and American recipes with ingredient brands that aren't on sale here.

I'd really appreciate any tips!

Thank you,

Pim.

Title: Re: Rhubarb jam without sugar?
Post by: New shoot on April 12, 2017, 10:59

Its the sugar in jam that preserves it, so you would have to water bath the jars to make it store, or freeze it.

Val has advice on bottling here  :)

http://www.allotment-garden.org/recipe/bottling-canning/

Title: Re: Rhubarb jam without sugar?
Post by: LandShark on April 13, 2017, 08:26

You can get a sugar replacement called Truvia (Supermarket) made from plant stevia but it's at least double the price of sugar.  Have you tried Boots, we used to get sorbitol ( sugar alternative for diabetics) there years ago.
I made Bramble jam last year, putting in half the amount of normal sugar but doubled the citric acid to safeguard it setting, and it was lovely, nicer than the full sugar batch. I did 10 jars of each and I only have 3 full sugar left.
My Dad's a Diabetic so I've lived with sugar free or reduced sugar all my life.
Hope that helps.

Title: Re: Rhubarb jam without sugar?
Post by: Pimento on April 13, 2017, 17:38

Thank you, Landshark and New Shoot - that's really helpful!