Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Eating and Drinking => Cooking, Storing and Preserving => Topic started by: Mum2mj on July 23, 2017, 18:26

Title: Blackberry jam
Post by: Mum2mj on July 23, 2017, 18:26
Hello when I was a child I used to help my mum pick blackberries which she then made into jam.  Half the time it wouldn't set 😆 but would still taste delicious.  mum is sadly no longer here and i don't know what the recipe was, but picking blackberries & apples with my children today i have the urge to make some. I've never made jam before so I've no idea on quantities etc.  I don't have a 'jam pan' but I do have a decent saucepan that can do high temperatures, that funnily enough my mum bought me for making fudge.  Anyhow I digress, it's not very big, I would imagine I would only be able to do 2-3 jars from it?
Any help would be gratefully received x
Title: Re: Blackberry jam
Post by: mumofstig on July 23, 2017, 18:52
marguerite Patten recipe

1lb blackberries
1lb apples (weighed after peeling and coring)
2 tablespoons of water
2lb sugar
Wash and drain berries
Chop apples into small pieces and put into pan with the water.
Simmer gently for 10 mins then add the blackberries and continue cooking until a soft puree.
Add sugar and stir over low heat until it has dissolved.
Raise heat and boil rapidly until setting point is reached. (test on a cold saucer)
Spoon into hot/sterilised jars and seal lids.
This makes just over 3 lb of jam (about 4 modern day jam jars) so halve recipe to make 2 jars :)
Title: Re: Blackberry jam
Post by: Mum2mj on July 25, 2017, 16:04
Thank you mos, is there particular sugar and apples I should be using?
Title: Re: Blackberry jam
Post by: mumofstig on July 25, 2017, 19:26
Just good old granulated sugar and any sharp tasting apples, if you are scrumping, or Bramleys if you are buying  :D
Title: Re: Blackberry jam
Post by: DanielCoffey on July 27, 2017, 08:42
You will want cooking apples, such as Bramleys because they go mushy when cooked. Eating apples tend to stay in discrete pieces when cooked which is not really what you want in a jam.

Given that this recipe is half apples, you won't need "Preserving Sugar" - as mum said, just regular granulated will do.

Remember to wash the jars in boiling water and put them in a low oven (90c) to dry. Keep them warm in the oven until ready to fill. I lift them out with a small wooden spoon inserted into the jar. The lids could do with a dunk in the hot water once you have finished with the jars and it is off the boil. Don't reuse lids that have had oils or chutney on them as they will make the jam taste.

When you are done, how about some pics in the Preserves on Parade thread?
Title: Re: Blackberry jam
Post by: Mum2mj on July 27, 2017, 15:27

Thank you Daniel, that's really helpful  :)